I am fed up with PCT position...

adnrnstudent, ASN, RN · Nov 22, 2014

I worked as PCT through nursing school, not for the money, but just to help with job. I promised myself I would always be good to techs when I became a RN and I think I've held pretty good to my word.

There is no way in hell I would be a career PCT. Too hard of work for the pay. Techs where I was definitely deserve a raise. I'd rather work retail or something for the money I got.

funtimes · Nov 27, 2014

I worked as PCT through nursing school, not for the money, but just to help with job. I promised myself I would always be good to techs when I became a RN and I think I've held pretty good to my word.

That's great you looked at it that way, but your post also reveals part of the problem. Techs shouldn't have to rely on the benevolence of the Nurses. Being "good to the techs" shouldn't be optional. It should be mandatory if for no other reason than the sake of your patients. If someone is not a team player and cannot work or play well with others, they shouldnt be a Nurse working in acute care. They should be in home care or some other RN position where you work by yourself.

Problem RNs exist on most units. As do problem techs. Get rid of both and things run a lot smoother. No one is irreplaceable. If someone causes problems then they should be shown the door, regardless of whether your name badge says RN, or cook baker or candlestick maker. The problem is that most unit managers are themselves RNs, so that is who they naturally sympathize with.

Im not sure what the answer is. In the ER at a hospital I worked at the techs were all licensed Paramedics with road experience, so they knew the doctors, PAs and medical directors well(some of whom were former Paramedics), so if an RN was causing problems the docs would be made aware and the problem corrected one way or another. On the floors the techs really have no recourse. You kind of just have to hope the RNs you work with are understanding and helpful, or find another unit or hospital to work at.

cd365c · Nov 28, 2014

From what I have seen so far, it seems that techs in the ER operate in more of a team environment. Most floors could use some education from the ER. I know it is not as crazy as the ER on the med surg floors, but I have seen plenty of hostile places towards "unfamiliar faces" at work (float nursing assistant).

There is no grand fix or perfect environment, but people that really don't want to work at the hospital really make it harder for those that do. I like to have fun with coworkers and joke too!

marie4nursing · Nov 29, 2014

Forgive me for this vent session right now but I am literally about to lose it after this horrible 12 hour shift that I just endured. I hate complaining but it WAS AWFUL. The nurses treated me like crap the entire shift. They talk down to me, boss me around, size me up, yell at me when things aren't done right when they demand me to do something. I have double the patients and I know we are all busy but jeez is it really necessary to talk to another human being the way that they talked to me?! Everyone tells me it is like this in a hospital setting and it is just sad. I work so very hard...I leave out of here with my back literally broken and in so much pain from all my lifting and cleaning people over and over. It just never feels like it is good enough. And I am doing all of this for extremely LOW PAY. It's just ridiculous. I've just never been so disrespected as I have switching to the medical floor. I work over night and I'm really wondering if it is even worth it. I get treated like trash. I am highly educated and extremely nice. I just wish I would get treated with a little more respect.
Does anyone else have this issue? Things aren't going to change are they? Should I just leave? I've talked to my director...nothing ever changes and the PCT's around here just quit like it isn't nothing. That's why we are so understaffed. Just ridiculous.

I am a CNA and I work in a nursing home, which is way worse. But I understand what you are going through. It takes all my strength to go there everyday. I am there for my residents, not the nurses or anyone else. Most of our nurses are lazy and rude. If you have to stay, I would tell the manager about how you are being mistreated. Otherwise, I would try to get out of there asap--which is what I am doing after I get the experience I need.

marie4nursing · Nov 29, 2014

I worked as PCT through nursing school, not for the money, but just to help with job. I promised myself I would always be good to techs when I became a RN and I think I've held pretty good to my word.
There is no way in hell I would be a career PCT. Too hard of work for the pay. Techs where I was definitely deserve a raise. I'd rather work retail or something for the money I got.

If I ever become a nurse, (still deciding if I want to or not), I would never treat the CNAs/PCTs so badly. I have career CNAs in my family and I don't know how they do it!

funtimes · Dec 4, 2014

Part of the problem is that RNs have no higher license to answer to and that holds them accountable for behavior. They pretty much police themselves. Physicians are politicians who stay above the fray, so they don't really count. So RNs pretty much rule the roost. Again there are some exceptions like the ER and OR, but on the floors thats the way it is, it makes life hell for the techs.

dreamer30 · Dec 7, 2014

Part of the problem is that RNs have no higher license to answer to and that holds them accountable for behavior. They pretty much police themselves. Physicians are politicians who stay above the fray, so they don't really count. So RNs pretty much rule the roost. Again there are some exceptions like the ER and OR, but on the floors thats the way it is, it makes life hell for the techs.

U know what.... that makes a lot of sense. To bad because not all nurses are like that.

runnerdoug87 · Dec 11, 2014

Ha yeah it is kind of the norm. There are good, not so good, and some that have claws in the health care field. I have a bachelor's degree some nurses had associates degrees act like they are royalty of the unit. However, others were supportive and team player's. Our PCAs were paid decent at least an extra $4 over the norm making $20 an hour in our state. Our PCA load was one PCA a shift for 30 patients. As a Mental Health worker trained in doing vitals and lifting so gave them a break split the load when we could. Think a few PCAS did file greviances. Know nurse's did as well. I overall enjoyed my experience. Kind of a circle if you look at Doctors being rude to nurse's as well. We had a great young psych doctor who actually was a PCA before becoming a Doctor. Was the most respectful individual ever.

I can't lie the nurse's who were a tad rude , looked down on you, and had this sense they know it all left a bad taste in my mouth. It happens every where. My friend had similar experience where she worked and I know a nurse like this as well. However, what I remember most were the nurse's who had your back that is what I aspire to be.

runnerdoug87 · Dec 11, 2014

We have in our state CNA that takes a month of training, PCA takes additional three to four months of training plus have to have your CNA cert or add it into training...depends it is about 140-160 hour's of training...then LPN/LVN training which is a year to year and 1/2 of training in our state.

runnerdoug87 · Dec 11, 2014

I would love if they would allow PCAS with bachelor's to document patient care. I loved doing interviews with the patient's and enjoyed doing intake assessments before the state mandated RNs and Social Workers to do it.

Do feel PCAS should be able to give out medication if trained, but not controlled substances. You go outside a hospital they have programs for residential care of provider's taking courses to give out medication. I guess being a hospital probably litigation and state mandates have to respond to.

runsalot · Dec 11, 2014

I would love if they would allow PCAS with bachelor's to document patient care. I loved doing interviews with the patient's and enjoyed doing intake assessments before the state mandated RNs and Social Workers to do it.
Do feel PCAS should be able to give out medication if trained, but not controlled substances. You go outside a hospital they have programs for residential care of provider's taking courses to give out medication. I guess being a hospital probably litigation and state mandates have to respond to.

I was a pct with a BA in a different field before becoming a nurse. It did not qualify me to interview or pass meds to my patients.

But when my techs now tell me something is funny with our patients. I take them seriously. And I do help with potty runs and making beds ect. But I have a lot more to do. The charting for a nurse is crazy. Plus we have to make sure all the adls are charted. .

So sometimes when it looks likes I am just sitting and playing on the computer, I might actually be taking down critical lab values and getting in stat orders. And that's why I asked you to get fellow pct to help clean up a patient. Because even though I was sitting. I was busy.

runnerdoug87 · Dec 11, 2014

I never knew why techs could not do ADLS and fall assessments. Was basically did they toilet click yes in the chart and a few other yes or no answers. Then fall assessment was yes continue plan or update we have to go to a nurse that would re evaluate the patient. Then if patient on dietary restrictions have to monitor and document percentage within the chart.

I miss that job so much bummer laid off...ha off topic.

Awesome job chart on four to eight patients, assist with ADLS, take vitals, do group therapy sessions, a few other documentations if need be, and do 15 min. checks or other safety checks. Also assist in medical emergencies and assist with CIWA evaluation. Transport patients outside of the unit to other units. Assist with EKGS mostly put the leads on and get the equipment. Then prior to state change could do outside hospital intake assessments. Other hospitals would also allow some techs do phlebotomy. All we needed was that and pass out non controlled medication I advocated for that would be a sweet deal.

The PCA took vitals, stocked, tolieting, lifting, and lab samples/blood draws

Nurse's did assist with charting, took most of the medical charting. Administer medication, assisted with checks, did their rounding and patient assessments, such as checking wounds and catheters, were assigned to. Administer I but normally last resort on our floor.

Our unit was a well oiled machine.