What good is it to be a GN?

suzanne4, RN · Jan 11, 2006

Not sure which state that you are in. Some will let you work on an interim permit until you take the NCLEX. If you pass, you get the RN after your name, if you do not, you no longer get to keep the job.

You do not get to work as a "Registered Nurse" unitl you actually take and pass the NCLEX exam. You would be working as a graduate nurse.

I personally only like it when the nurse already has taken NCLEX before they begin their job. There is way too much for you to worry about with being in a new roll, etc., to worry about preparing for the exam.

And not all states permit you to work without taking NCLEX first, it is up to each BON to make their own guidelines to be used.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2006

It depends on what your state nursing law allows. Some states, like here in California, will give you an interim permit to practice as an RN pending the results of your NCLEX. As an interim permitee you can do everything an RN does under the supervision of other RNs. So, go on line and check your state nursing law. Otherwise, you just have to wait out your NCLEX results and continue to work as an LPN, I guess.

HappyJaxRN · Jan 11, 2006

In Florida, I worked as a GN with a preceptor. I was scared when I took the NCLEX. If I failed, I would be back as a PCT. But I passed and continued to work as.....an RN. Both positions, you play the nurse roll. Your preceptor will help you to be more and more autonomous based on what he or she feels you're capable of.

I was a PCT before I became a GN. I wanted to hop up into that position because I wanted the GN pay rate as well as I felt as if I worked hard enough for it! It was an easy slide into the RN position. Nothing changed other than my creditials and I felt like I was on top of the word.

jamieRN · Jan 12, 2006

I worked as a GN doing the work of an RN and getting RN salary while being supervised by a preceptor. If I hadn't passed the NCLEX I would have gone back to being a nurse tech and having nurse tech salary until I passed.

-Jamie

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2006

Here in Florida where I work the GNs if they have their "sit pass", meaning they qualify to sit for the RN boards, then we orient them as nurses, until then they have to work as techs. Usually it isn't long between them graduating and getting this sit pass.

In North Carolina it was different we worked as RN applicants fresh out of nursing school without a wait, but that was a few, well actually a lot, years ago. :) So as people say, it seems to vary from state to state.

With an LPN license though a hospital might just hire you on as an LPN and let you orient right away.

pricklypear · Jan 12, 2006

In Kansas, you can work as a GN as soon as you graduate, with no restrictions that I know of. The period that you are a GN usually coincides with your orientation period, so you're supervised by your preceptor. There is a time limit before you have to pass NCLEX (not sure what it is), and if you fail, you get a job as a tech until you test again. Most of us need that first job out of school right away - I know I couldn't have waited 6 weeks or more for that first paycheck.

MIA-RN1, RN · Jan 12, 2006

I am going to work as a GN until I take my NCLEX. I'll do my two week orientation as well as begin orienting to my job under the supervision of an RN. Not much different than when I pass the NCLEX and am working w/ my preceptor. I had the offer to either start work right out of school or wait a month, take the nclex and then start. I chose to start work right away. Maybe more work learning the first few weeks while I'm studying but I need the money.

grinnurse, RN · Jan 12, 2006

I could have worked as a GN fresh out of school, but chose not to in order to concentrate on the NCLEX. My rationale was that it was more important at that point to pass the first time than to work and not pass and have to be bumped down to a lower pay rate. Plus, I didn't have to worry about the money issue and totally needed the time to be with my kids who for almost 2 years thought they only had a grandmother and father as parents!!!

NuttyRN 2bee · Jan 13, 2006

hello i am relocating to florida where i was offered a position as a gn with the same pay as rn altough i need to wait for my att. so i can start. nclex makes me nervous work makes me nervous:chair: but in any case i need the money and the orientation and preceptor program will last until i take my test. its alot all at once, i guess but nursing school was no bed of roses. i should be receiving my att in or around the first week of feb. i think i will try taking the nclex in may. i am trying to find a good review class so if anyone in the ft. lauderdale area has any leads please let me know

oh who am i kidding guys i am really very :sofahider. lord almighty help me pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzz

nursemike, ASN, RN · Jan 13, 2006

I found working as a GN very helpful in preparing for NCLEX. I think I may learn best by doing. Applying my classroom education to my practice made it seem a lot more "real", if you know what I mean. Plus, it was real nice to start making RN wages after two years of being broke all the time.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2006

i think i will try taking the nclex in may. i am trying to find a good review class so if anyone in the ft. lauderdale area has any leads please let me know

a lot of the state boards have that information. i always have trouble navigating the florida bon site otherwise i would have done a quick search of it for you. a lot of the state boards approve these classes because many of them offer ceus. if i were you i'd invest a couple of quarters in calling the state board and see if they can give you the name of some education providers in florida who offer nclex review courses.