Pca & Cna???

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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In a little less than 2 weeks I will be a PCA(PCT) at local hospital. In January I will start my pre-requists to become a LPN which will take about a year.

Employement is a major concern to me because I`m head of the household. I`ve learned that a PCA in a hospital can do things a CNA can`t do. If I got my CNA certification in my state would that prevent me from doing my PCA job legally? Basically, PCA can give enemias were CNA can`t.

However, my options for CNA trainning would be working as a PCA full time onm 3rds. Between Jan-May English Comp(College Level), & Intro to Algebra. Summer would be 8 week course of A&P 1. Fall would be A&P2, Life Elective, & something else to round out 2 more credits for the semister. Have to round out the credits for Fincacial Add purposes.

I thought about getting CNA certification incase I ever lost the job at the hospital. Always hope for the best, but plan for the worse.

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If you get a CNA certification, it will not stop you from doing any of your PCA duties.

After you are a CNA, any certification or training you earn adds up on top of it and would likely be considered an added bonus to future potential employers. If you get a new job, you might not be allowed to do the enemas there because that place considers them out of the scope of CNAs, but becoming certified can only help you at your current job.

I would definitely recommend you try to get certified - in my area, jobs in most fields are becoming few and far between, and while your hospital might not require a CNA for a PCT job, a very large number of hospitals and other facilities DO require it. :)

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I would think that obtaining a CNA would not prevent you from performing PCA duties at a hospital. In my view the CNA is a backward (downward) step from PCA(PCT). At least it is in my area.

If I were in your shoes I wouldn't bother with the CNA. If you're already hired at the hospital which provides PCA(PCT) training this work experience will likely qualify you for a position at another hospital if you were to loose your current PCA(PCT) hospital job.

But if you want to be overly cautious you could check if CNA is required at other hospitals. In my area it seems that the CNA is only required for working in nursing homes. Been there, done that, never again.:eek:

If you're looking for additional employable skills check for courses in phlebotomy (blood draw). These courses are about the same or less length of time as CNA classes.

From what I've heard, most CNA's working in nursing homes would love to be able to get a hospital job. So I'd say you got lucky getting the hospital job!:up:

I've been working as a PCA at a hospital for a few years. My CNA card expired many years ago after I decided to leave nursing home work and pursue a non health care career. I had no problem getting my current job without the CNA certification. I was hired based on my experience from many years ago and my current desire to pursue a nursing career. I guess I was also lucky to get the hospital job!

Within the last couple of months I've applied online for PCA and critical care tech positions at two other hospitals. I received calls backs and interview offers for all the applications I made.:yeah:

So again, if I were you, I'd concentrate on studies and the current PCA job. I'd go back to waitressing or ANYTHING else before I'd consider CNA nursing home work. Sure, I learned some useful and common sense things from the CNA course. BUT the work was tiring, hard labor, and back breaking.:no: Hats off to all you guys n gals that do that work and still have the energy for studies and classes!

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Specializes in Cardiac, Critical Care, LTC.

First congrats on furthering your education

Second a CNA is not a stepdown from a PCT, they are the same thing, I worked a CNA in a nursing home, and with that same certificate worked as a PCT in a hospital, and the duties are the same.

Were I work now as a RN, a person who has there CNA can work the floor as PCT, but if you do not have your CNA, you either work in the EKG monitor room or as a unit clerk. I also know some area hospital where can you can work the floor without being certified but the pay is less.

If you have a secure job than I would say just continue to work there, but if you plan on working somewhere else while you are in school, I would suggest to get your CNA certificate, because again some places will not let you work as a PCT without being certified.

Hope this helps out

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First congrats on furthering your education

Second a CNA is not a stepdown from a PCT, they are the same thing, I worked a CNA in a nursing home, and with that same certificate worked as a PCT in a hospital, and the duties are the same.

Were I work now as a RN, a person who has there CNA can work the floor as PCT, but if you do not have your CNA, you either work in the EKG monitor room or as a unit clerk. I also know some area hospital where can you can work the floor without being certified but the pay is less.

while you are in school, I would suggest to get your CNA certificate, because again some places will not let you work as a PCT without being certified.

Hope this helps out

hi mzkgorn!

I'm soon migrating to Canada. I'm an RN here in the philippines, and i also enrolled in a caregiver program of 6 months. I just want to know if I could work as CNA or PCA in retirement homes even if i don't have CNA certificate? Are BSN degree and caregiver certificate not enough? Do i really need to enroll to be a CNA? If yes, how long will be the program and where will I enroll if I settle in Calgary or Edmonton? And how much?

thanks... I HOPE YOU COULD SHARE SOME OF YOUR INSIGHTS AND EXPERIENCES...:)

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Basically, PCA can give enemias were CNA can`t.

I have just started my cna class, but in our syllabus & textbook it says we are allowed to give enemas & will be trained to. I'm assuming under the supervision of a nurse, but I live in Mass so that might make a difference.

Plus adding cna would just be added education and training, giving you more job options.

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In a little less than 2 weeks I will be a PCA(PCT) at local hospital. In January I will start my pre-requists to become a LPN which will take about a year.

Employement is a major concern to me because I`m head of the household. I`ve learned that a PCA in a hospital can do things a CNA can`t do. If I got my CNA certification in my state would that prevent me from doing my PCA job legally? Basically, PCA can give enemias were CNA can`t.

However, my options for CNA trainning would be working as a PCA full time onm 3rds. Between Jan-May English Comp(College Level), & Intro to Algebra. Summer would be 8 week course of A&P 1. Fall would be A&P2, Life Elective, & something else to round out 2 more credits for the semister. Have to round out the credits for Fincacial Add purposes.

I thought about getting CNA certification incase I ever lost the job at the hospital. Always hope for the best, but plan for the worse.

Zalan, Here in the state im in, you have to have your CNA in order for you be considered for a Pca or pct position at the hospitals here my city. You are right since you are the soul provider for your family. I think that is a good idea to stay certified just incase you were to lose your job in the future and you don't have to worry about becoming certified first before you can immediately apply for cna jobs. and also i think that for as long as you are working in the hospital i think by attending the inservices that the hospital provides to you, i think you should attend those because i think its a way for you stay certified i think.

Wish you luck.

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Hi i was wondering what do i have to do to be a PCA i have my cpr and first aid air bourne blood bourne certificates but what els do i need thanks

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Specializes in ICU.
Hi i was wondering what do i have to do to be a PCA i have my cpr and first aid air bourne blood bourne certificates but what els do i need thanks

It's really going to depend on the facility and the job description they give to "PCA." At my hospital, PCAs have to have their CNA license, have taken an accredited PCA class (with phlebotomy and EKG training - you can take a class like that in 16 weeks for about $500 in my area), and sat for and passed my state's Advanced Unlicensed Assistant written and skills test.

But there are also facilities where you don't even have to be a CNA or have any healthcare experience - they'll train you from the ground up.

You'll really have to call the facility you want to work at and ask them what skills and training they expect an applicant for a PCA opening to have.

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oh thank you see i live in Springfield Massachusetts but i will do that

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A lot will depend on where you work.

Nurses were the only ones that did Enemas in the hospital i worked at.

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Specializes in ICU.
A lot will depend on where you work.

Agreed. At my hospital, CNAs and PCAs could preform warm water and soap suds enemas, but not Fleets enemas. The logic there is that water and soap are not medicines, but the Fleets is, so a CNA applying one would technically be administering a medication - which is illegal in my state (unless you're also med aide certified, but med aides only work in long term care, assisted living, etc - not hospitals, in my state).

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