CNA in LTC to PCT in a hospital

[Mkelly]

Hi.I have been a cna for 2 months now In LTC. I have gotten a call for a PCT in a hospital. I don't like the LTC setting and overjoyed about my offer to go to a hospital. I have heard that they train you for phlebotomy, ekgs, catheter situations etc. Just wanting to know if there are any PCT in NY area that work in hospitals that once worked in LTC can tell me a difference what I can expect at a hospital. Ever since I been a cna I have felt it's not for me but I got to thinking maybe it's the long term setting I don't have a glitch for or something. I don't mind the not so fun parts of the job Its the rude nasty attitudes from other staff and I would like to work with different age groups not just the elderly. What is your experience being a PCT at a hospital? The same as LTC?

[ResearchRN25, BSN, RN]

I will say y depends on the unit. I've worked in assisted livings and I loved it and also emergency room which I love as well. In the ER I do phlebotomy, EKG, straight cath, suture removal, splinting, bladder scans, CPR of course, vitals, accuchecks and more.

I also work as a PCT on a med/surg med/tele floor and I basically take vitals, toilet, and do accuchecks. I feel like I work at a nursing home most of the time when on the floor.

I prefer my ER job because I get to do and see more.

I live in FL btw. Hope this helps !

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

It will entirely depend on the hospital that hires you as to what you will and will not be instructed to do. Phlebotomy? Not common, but maybe where you are hired would invovle this. EKGs are common enough for a tech to do. No techs doing catheterizations normally either, but hey maybe it exists somewhere.

You can expect your acute care patients (as opposed to LTC ones) to have higher acuity/ greater needs. They are not "at home" residents, they are temporary and moving through the stages of acute care hospitalization: tests, procedures/surgeries, recovery, discharge. They may well be stable, but they are certainly sicker than residents in a nursing home, this is why they are in the hospital.

Generally speaking, this will be your biggest change: patients in your care are there for much shorter stays, and (for the most part) aren't going to be there very long (comparatively).