Working "below your license"

This was sort of brought up in another thread but I wanted to expand the topic a bit...as we all know, the market is tough right now for nurses, esp. new grads. I've been contemplating changing strategy and looking for ANY job in healthcare that I can find-whether it's unit secretary, CNA, or even a janitor at this point!

Ideally I would love to be an ER-tech, as my dream job is to be an ER nurse once I'm an RN (I'm an LPN right now). The requirements for that seem a little vague-basically it says you need to be either a CNA or EMT and then you have a couple weeks of paid on the job training. I called a couple places and they told me they really didn't know if it was legal or not!

Does anyone know what the kaws are regarding this? Does it vary from state to state?
It does depend on the state and facility. Many places will not allow you to work below your license for liability reasons. Basically, if something goes wrong and you have the knowledge and qualifications to intervene as an RN but are on contract to work as a CNA, you're not on firm footing either way. If you intervene, you're doomed, if you do nothing, you're doomed.

Quote from MattiesMamaThis was sort of brought up in another thread but I wanted to expand the topic a bit...as we all know, the market is tough right now for nurses, esp. new grads. I've been contemplating changing strategy and looking for ANY job in healthcare that I can find-whether it's unit secretary, CNA, or even a janitor at this point!Ideally I would love to be an ER-tech, as my dream job is to be an ER nurse once I'm an RN (I'm an LPN right now). The requirements for that seem a little vague-basically it says you need to be either a CNA or EMT and then you have a couple weeks of paid on the job training. I called a couple places and they told me they really didn't know if it was legal or not! Does anyone know what the kaws are regarding this? Does it vary from state to state?

See the thing is, technical responsibilites for an ED tech, based on what I've observed during clinicals, are very similar to those of a nurse. And that is not in any way saying that they are the same thing-but the techs I worked with started IV's, put in foleys, and started EKG's...The only thing I didn't see them do that I would do as an LPN were giving meds and charting. And they were right next to the nurses the whole time. So I guess I'm just trying to think of a situation where it would be a problem...

I'm a LPN and I wanted to try to get a tech job too, since most hospitals around me won't hire LPNs, but one of the requirements for tech positions in my area is that you cannot hold an active state license. Which I do. So I'm stuck.

I'm in NC. And they actually put an article in their magazine recently, that talks about this. They say that it anything below your license is covered in your education, so you could obtain that license/certification and work as that. But they also say that you would be held accountable to the highest level. They suggest not taking a position below your license. And they suggest that if you're a retired nurse that just wants a job as a tech or something, then to retire or inactivate you license so you won't run into any trouble, or be held to that higher level of licensure

Quote from NickRN/EMTI'm in NC. And they actually put an article in their magazine recently, that talks about this. They say that it anything below your license is covered in your education, so you could obtain that license/certification and work as that. But they also say that you would be held accountable to the highest level. They suggest not taking a position below your license. And they suggest that if you're a retired nurse that just wants a job as a tech or something, then to retire or inactivate you license so you won't run into any trouble, or be held to that higher level of licensure

Quote from MattiesMamaNow I gotta ask you since your username is RN/EMT-Do you work as both? Because that's another thing I thought about doing...

Quote from NickRN/EMT As opposed to so many of the people that call 911 for a medicab ride to the ED for primary care type treatment.

I am a RN and work as a CNA2 in the ED, as I have worked in that ED for 3 years now, and maintained my job while going to nursing school. I did my senior practicum in my ED and well, Honestly I die a little inside every day that I work as a CNA. Becasue I know that I can do the job and I want to be a ED RN, and yet there are not openings anywhere in my metro area that will hire without the magical 1 year.I am sure that you can work below your license, as it hasn't been an issue for me

My hospital has hired many new grad RNS into tech and secratary positions, they just have to sign something saying they will not work out of their scope of practice.

Quote from MJB2010My hospital has hired many new grad RNS into tech and secratary positions, they just have to sign something saying they will not work out of their scope of practice.

I've known a number of people who work below their license, when I was in nursing school many of the "techs" we worked with were actually new grads waiting on nursing positions to open up. I've not seen it where I currently live but my facility is always hiring nurses so it's not been a possibility.I'm not really sure what could be expected of someone working below their license that would get them in trouble. Just because you are a nurse doesn't make you responsible for every patient on a unit so I don't see why that would suddenly be true if you were a nurse working as a tech or secretary. Our techs and secretaries don't have the same computer access as nurses and can't access the pyxis or med carts at all which severly limits an RN hired in one of those capcities to actually do anything for a patient beyond their hired scope. If a patient is in obvious distress, I would hope that anyone, regardless of position, would find them some help.