Need your advice.

Most hospitals(depending on state) require that PCT is certified before they can even hire you. Oh wait, there's one exception and that's you must be in your first year of NS past clinicals. Otherwise you go the CNA route. It's sad. I'm in the same boat you are and even spoke to a few nurse recruiters about it. They all told me that once I am on the state registry, I can apply. Some hospital websites won't even let you apply without your license #.

Oh and I'm in Florida. I've heard that it's this way because they can't take the risk of hiring you and then you fail the test. Kinda makes sense. Good luck to you!