Got a new PCT gig!

Missingyou, CNA · May 21, 2014

I bet once you complete the orientation, you will feel more confident. :yes:

crossfitnurse · May 22, 2014

I hope!! My friend said "it's all 1st semester stuff" but after the drill and hell of 3rd semester med surg, 1st semester seems light years ago! Haha :)

any tips are welcome for you guys who are well seasoned PCTs :)

GingerRN17 · May 23, 2014

I am a PCT...you will be fine! Its all easy stuff. :)

funtimes · May 23, 2014

PCT can vary a lot depending on the type of unit you work on from my experience. From a technical standpoint its all easy stuff, assuming you aren't doing lots of phlebotomy and IV starts, in which case there is a learning curve, but if you aren't working in the ER IV starts are probably rare enough you can get by even if you suck at it.

Time management and multitasking are the hardest parts of the job, and its not something any school can really teach, so its better to experience it before graduating and having to work it out as a brand new nurse. As a tech you are continually pulled in a dozen different directions all shift long, so you learn some critical thinking skills because you cant possibly do it all, so you have to use judgement to decide what needs to be done and what gets put on the back burner or left to the RNs.

crossfitnurse · May 23, 2014

That was explained to me in my interview and they even asked me how I prioritize my time when it comes to patient care - since I am a nursing student.

A friend of mine works for the hospital system I got the job at and she said the same.

I don't think I will be doing IVs or anything invasive at all. Mainly vitals, feeding, sitting when needed, baths, turning, and other things like that.

But that is good to know! :)

This will by my first "out of clinical" health care job/experience so hopefully I will learn a lot!