Working as a tech on the floor until my new grad RN residency begins?

[Hispromiseremains]

I'm interested in being a tech on the unit that I will start my grad RN residency on until my residency starts in a couple months, but wanted to know if it's worth it. I would be getting paid the same as a RN. I am thinking of doing it because I want to become better with basic caregiving skills like ADLs and other tasks that they do. I'm a little awkward with some basic stuff still and always want to improve and learn. Plus I feel as if I haven't been faced with as many basic care situations as I'd like...I wasn't even allowed to do things either like BG checks during nursing school clinicals. Even transferring patients and helping them ambulate still makes me a bit uncomfortable and awkward, tho I've gotten so much better at it.  I already graduated nursing school and passed my NCLEX. What I fear is that maybe I won't do good at the tech job and that the managers wouldn't want me on the unit anymore for the grad nurse residency. The tech to patient ratio is also 1:16 and bone marrow transplant patients...so I'm scared that will be a lot of patients for me to handle. I really was interested to begin my career on this unit too because it's in my preferred speciality, oncology). This fear may be irrational, but I would like to hear people's thoughts. I would hate for the fear of management not liking me or not wanting me as a RN anymore of getting in the way of improving my caregiving skills. Plus, I'm not always going to have a tech and I want to help my techs as much as I can as a RN. And I feel as if I should know how to comfortably do a tech's job duties as well anyways since they're all nursing skills too. Should I take the job as a tech and hope for the best? Or should I just wait until my RN residency and learn at that time? Thank you for any input!

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

I really can't see a downside to taking the position. They know they're hiring you as a new tech and then eventually as a new grad RN, NEW is an important word here. You're not going to be "good" at many things when you're new. You're going to learn them. You're going to learn and improve the technical skills and you'll get to know your coworkers and the flow of the unit. That way when you start the new grad program you will already have a sense of comfort in that environment. Sounds like a very good plan to me. And managers aren't going to put that much thought into it. Unless you do something like abuse a patient, you're not going to put your RN job at risk by working as a tech. Good luck!

[Zayzaysworld]

You should definitely take the tech position, there is no downside. It would also help you get used to the environment and other medical staff.

[Emergent, RN]

One caveat is that, you should definitely not discuss the fact that you are getting RN pay openly with your coworkers. Otherwise, it sounds like a golden opportunity to me.

[londonflo]

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 I already graduated nursing school and passed my NCLEX. 

What are your legal responsibilities within your state's Nurse Practice Act? You are an RN, are you not? Ask them for an orientation and assignments now. 

Frankly, what is this hoopla about a residency/orientation? I started my first RN job in 1978, had one day with an RN, she called in sick the next day and I just mustered on without any additional hand-holding. RNs keep complaining about no help but what about those new RNs who want additional time "in residency" who should realize they are not students anymore. How many students eyes 'glaze over' when I show/talk to them about the nursing systems at either hospital (we have 2 in this town and 99% of students will work here) But dang, when they are 'seasoned' they complain about residency among new grads, want more time and $$$

I had teaching experience but moved to another nursing school position in another state and was left on my own with students the first clinical day. Yes I did not know this brand of bed nor  the communication systems but I was not left without my ability to ask questions. I did come on my 'off day' to learn the medication system. Was I paid !! shock no!

I moved to another college - once again I persevered without " a residency". 

We had a post on another page where someone was an RN for 3 years, moved to another area and after being on 'orientation' for 4 months that ended 2 months ago, thought being asked to be a preceptor was insane. Someone who wanted eventually to be an educator. !

Frankly if you apply yourself, make a sincere effort get up to speed, there may be more money in the budget for more nurses. Calculations are done on FTE (Full time equivalents) not who is 'precepting' or on 'orientation'.