Temp. License Situation, Need Advice!

Published

Hey everyone, this is my first post on here although I've been browsing on this site for about a year. I have a situation and I need some advice on what to do. Sorry its so long!

I just graduated the beginning of May. After graduation I applied to take NCLEX and also opted to get my temp license. It could take up to 2 weeks so I went ahead and put in a few job applications while I was waiting. Well I got called in for an interview at a LTC facility. I got hired there before I got my temp license and my title was going to be LPN Charge Nurse (I figured after I passed boards and orientated, etc.). All my paperwork was filled out with the job title as charge nurse. My temp license finally came in, about two days after I started this job. I was orientating with another LPN for the permanent hall I would be on. I was told I would orientate until everyone felt comfortable and I was ready to be on my own. I thought I would have a little longer than I did. After a week and two days they decided to inform me that I would be running the hall by myself. Passing meds, doing treatments, charting, everything. It is 26 patients total right now, it was 28 but two passed away. I told them that I didn't feel I was ready to work by myself but they said I would be fine. I believe they wanted me to work alone because they are short staffed and the nurses were having to work overtime. Today was my third day that I've been by myself and I feel very overwhelmed. Its just me and two other cna's on the hall for the most part. I get everything done but I feel it is to much responsibility for me to have especially with a temp license, also that it is very unsafe!

Yesterday I was looking through the form that came with my temp license and I saw where it stated that "a nursing graduate should not assume charge responsibilities." So now I'm freaked out...I asked my DON about it this morning and all that was said was.."I'm not going to get you in trouble, that means like in charge of everything"...in my opinion I believe I'm assuming charge responsibilities. I tried to contact the board of nursing of my state (anonymously) to try and clarify this situation for me but they are closed today. I do not want to put my license at risk and I haven't even received it yet..I plan on talking to the board in the morning and getting a definite answer but I wanted some opinions before then. My concern is what if a family member has a complaint and the state investigates and wants to know who the charge nurse is..that would be me...with a temp license. ...I plan on putting in a notice after I find out from state either way because I do not have a good feeling about this job or facility or should I resign immediately? Call and quit? Put in a two week notice but with the stipulation I won't work alone? Any advice is appreciated!

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Usually a temp GPN cannot assume the title of LPN until NCLEX is passed. Usually you must work under the direct supervision of a licensed LPN or RN and cannot work alone until fully licensed.

Yes you are at risk. A new grad should NEVER be hired in a charge nurse position. This is a good example of "you do not know what you don't know". As a new grad high from successfully graduated you were likely excited not only to have an interview but a job before even taking the NCLEX. Plus they offer you a title of "LPN charge nurse". It is your responsibility to know the limitations of a TPP/GPN permit. The fact that the facility " won't get you in trouble" is a red flag. Coupled with the statement that you, a new grad have been left in charge of a wing after only 3 days of training and don't feel comfortable/confident. You aren't even fully licensed yet.

If it were me, I would resign and start looking for more realistic opportunities. Now you know why the facility is short staffed/ has a high turnover.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I thought I would have a little longer than I did. After a week and two days they decided to inform me that I would be running the hall by myself. Passing meds, doing treatments, charting, everything.
In my area, the norm for a new grad LPN with no experience in SNF/LTC is three days of orientation, then you're on your own. Orientation is a time for learning the facility's paperwork, routines, and norms. It is not a time to learn what you didn't pick up in nursing school.

Yesterday I was looking through the form that came with my temp license and I saw where it stated that "a nursing graduate should not assume charge responsibilities."
In the nursing home setting, "charge nurse" is simply a fancy title to denote the fact that you are in charge of the hall you're working. You are not a true charge nurse in that you're not supervising other nurses or guiding anyone's clinical decision making.

I do not want to put my license at risk and I haven't even received it yet.
Please. . .the "my license is at risk" mantra is horridly overblown. I have never heard of a nurse receiving licensure sanctions for working as charge in a nursing home. The overwhelming majority of nurses have action taken against their licensure for impairment, theft, diversion, or other issues surrounding substance abuse.

My concern is what if a family member has a complaint and the state investigates and wants to know who the charge nurse is..that would be me...with a temp license.
You're overthinking this situation. This does not happen in the real world of nursing. I have been through many state complaints and surveys, and when state surveyors look for the nurse who was in charge on a certain shift, they go straight to the DON, ADON or unit manager.

As I previously stated, your title of "charge nurse" is merely a fancy formality. State surveyors have been been around the block at hundreds of nursing homes, and they know you're in charge of nothing.

Good luck to you.

In the LTC facility I was just hired at as a new grad LPN, I got 3 shifts of orientation and all the LPN's in the facility are called LPN/Charge Nurses. From what I hear the 3 day orientation is pretty standard so you are fortunate to get more.

Are you a licensed nurse or are you waiting to take your NCLEX yet? If you don't have your license yet your BON may limit what you can do. It is best to check with them. If your facility is asking you to do something illegal it could be that they don't fully understand the law or they are shady.. Either way get informed and protect yourself. Good luck.

+ Join the Discussion