Should an RN accept CNA/PCT job for now

[meikauw]

I'm truly worried I have my RN license and cant find an RN job should I accept a CNA/PCT job since I still have my CNA license am tired of staying at home for 4months doing nothing. Pls advice new grad with no experience but i have 3years experience in CNA.

[tclema]

Firs of all, where are you located? If you're willing to do CNA work it sounds like you are flexible on salary-use it to your advantage when negotiating on RN roles and don't limit yourself to one specialty. As a recruiter I see a lot of new-grad RNs that ONLY want Med-Surge or ONLY want Peds, etc.

Or no nights, only days, Mo-Fr from 8a-5p. However, there are jobs out there for New Grad's, but as mentioned before several times, you might have to move, even if only temporary (e.g. 2 years).

Some hospitals (like ours) will not allow you to work per diem as a New Grad, make sure to check into that as well. Flu shot season or snowbird season sound like great ideas to get started and get some experience.

[birdgardner]

I would if I could - it seems like very few new grads are being hired and those who worked as PCTs as students and are known by the NMs have a huge advantage. But the hospitals around here won't hire RNs as PCTs because of liability issues.

If I had known how bad the job market was here, I would have not taken the NCLEX as soon as I could but tried for a PCT job for 3 months first.

I lucked into a part-time home-care job which is basically aide work at RN pay, because a few PO meds must be given. It would be better to be an aide at the hospital for aide pay, and get a foot in the door!

[doubleplay]

Have you ever thought about moving?

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

In 1994 a classmate of mine (we graduated with BSN in 1992) worked as a CNA -until I got married an moved away since there were no RN positions in the hospital where we worked.

otessa

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

Any place that would hire an RN to work as a CNA is a BAD place to work!!!

Not true. There are LPNs that work as MAs where I work-is that a bad place to work?

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

Not true. There are LPNs that work as MAs where I work-is that a bad place to work?

I think there's a much bigger difference between RN/CNA and LPN/MA. I've seen some positions call for either one (MA or LPN) since their roles are similar, which is not at all true for RN and CNA.

[nyteshade, BSN]

No, no, no

[Plagueis]

Well, I know a couple of nurses who are currently working as CNAs because of they couldn't find nursing jobs. Also, one friend of mine who is a nurse told me she worked as a CNA for almost a year after she graduated because of the lack of jobs. She stated that she had to support her family, so she continued to be a CNA until she found a nursing job.

[cloister]

I would think that working as a CNA, even after passing your NCLEX, would be a great way to keep your foot in the future-empoyment-as-an-RN-door, so to speak.

We have a young man working with us now as a nursing student. He failed last semester's term and is having to more or less start over. Regardless, I still want him to come work with us when he's through with nursing school. Why? Because he has a great personality and work ethic, and he's eager to take on any task. Nothing in patient care is beneath him. That's the person I want as a colleague.

It is certainly disheartening to have to defer your dreams of being an RN for the present due to this lousy economy, and I wish you luck with your job search. In the meantime, however, I'd take the CNA/PCT position and run like hell with it. You never know who you're going to impress with your professionalism and patient care, and it might just open some doors for you. At the outside, you're making some money and learning new skills. I say go for it.

[prinsessa]

I know how you feel. I have been applying for jobs for over 3 months and no luck! It is depressing! I would work as a CNA if I could. I just want to be in a hospital. And i don't care about working nights, PMs, or days on any unit. I just want experience! I have even looked into LTC and couldn't find anything. Good luck! I Hope you find a job soon!

[Blackheartednurse]

I work full time as a transporter at a hospital since no one is willing to hire a new grad fresh out of school...money is money and I'm planning to work there until I land some nursing gig!!!