cna vs pca?

[wooden0806]

what is the difference in a cna and pca? from what i heard they are the same. i have my cna cerfifcation so would a pca position count for my cna cert. so it wouldnt expire? bc i currently got a job in a nursing home and i really want a hospital job but the job description says pca. thanks for reading this and trying to help me.

[Bill E. Rubin]

A CNA can work as a PCA. I was a PCA while in nursing school. PCA (at least at my hospital) stands for Patient Care Associate) and was open to CNAs as well as nursing students who completed at least one clinical rotation.

[pers]

Sounds like you are fine. Depending on the facility, a PCA may be the same as a CNA but without the certification or it may be a CNA that has received additional training to perform other skills.

[Muffy5]

You should be fine...In MN. I worked as a PCA (stands for personal care assistant here), even without my CNA license.

[wooden0806]

ok thank you; thats what it stand for too at this hospital, but the description about a pca didnt have a much as a cna, so it made me wonder. thanks for helping me out.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

In Texas the CNA is certified thru the state health department, following approved education. The Patient Care Tech (PCT) is trained thru the facility and gets no certification. The jobs are the same per the Nurse Practice Act. The difference will be when the PCT wants to go work elsewhere but has no certification.

[juliaann]

In my facility, we call them PCTs (Patient Care Technicians), and they are different from CNAs. PCTs have additional training (which can be done through the facility or an outside class like at the community college or vocational college - phlebotomy, EKG, foley caths, stuff like that), and while there isn't a PCT certification like the CNA certification, my state allows for PCT students to take the Advanced Unlisenced Assistant written and skills examination. My facility will hire CNAs for general med/surg/ortho/tele, but requires PCTs *with* a passed AUA exam to work in all the "fun" areas: ER, ICU, NICU, Peds, Mother/Baby.

Your best bet is to call and ask HR of your facility if being a CNA would be sufficient for applying for a PCT job. Some facilities will train CNAs to be PCTs; and some won't. And a lot will depend on your location and if your state has any regulations.

And some facilities probably use PCA/PCT to mean different things. At my facility it is a job that requires additional skill and testing, and a CNA is not qualified to apply. Definitely check with the facility - best of luck!

[AriesPanda]

Hi! I am a CNA working as a PCA as well. You've brought up a very good question I had not thought of, that a CNA must work (at least where I live) for 8 hours/year as a CNA to stay in good standing on the state registry, as well as 12 hours of continuing education/year (which can be done online, etc.).

I will ask my HR department how exactly that works!!? I had not thought about that 8 hours of work as a CNA, I have no idea if working as a PCA will translate to the state equally.

I work in an Assisted Living and Dementia Unit, but we also have a skilled care facility. I know our H.R. department will have an answer, once I find an answer this question I'll get back to you!

[Chamorrita]

how can one work as a pca

[Pottery Barn]

In Texas the CNA is certified thru the state health department, following approved education. The Patient Care Tech (PCT) is trained thru the facility and gets no certification. The jobs are the same per the Nurse Practice Act. The difference will be when the PCT wants to go work elsewhere but has no certification.

Isn't that a nursing assistant?

[mrsnurse2014]

I have had a couple of interviews for PCA positions in Pennsylvania. I am currently a nursing student but I am not a CNA. I was hoping to work as a PCA while in nursing school but the highest offer I received was for $11.50. I currently make $13 doing patient registration. I must say that I am very disappointed. I will have to keep my current job and just suck it up until I graduate:( My only other option is to wait until I complete at least 1 clinical rotation, then the board of education will determine if I can challenge the CNA course so that I can take the CNA test.

[FutureCRNA?, BSN, RN]

I don't think taking a hit of $1.50 an hour is a huge problem. You get the experience and that is very important. I bet you would be glad you had that experience during your first year out...

I went from $19.45 at my old job to $12.65 as an aide. But I got invaluable experience and my foot in the door. It kinda sucked, but I'm so glad it did it in the grand scheme of things.