Advice to current and future techs

First I want to say that just because you have "more contact" with patients does not mean you are at higher risk of getting HIV, Hep C, etc. They are blood borne pathogens, you cannot get them by just touching someone. Nurses are at much higher risk because of IV sticks, lab draws, etc. If you do those things then that's why you would be at risk, not just by touching people.

If you want to be a nurse, being a patient care tech puts you head and shoulders above your competitors who work in other non patient related fields. It's hard work no matter where you are. Some units utilize PCTs differently than others but mainly it's a physical job and that's the entire purpose of the position. You won't escape that. Seems to me money is more important. If that's the case work at a different facility that pays more money. Otherwise you're gong to have to wait it out for an opening somewhere else.

First I want to say that just because you have "more contact" with patients does not mean you are at higher risk of getting HIV, Hep C, etc. They are blood borne pathogens, you cannot get them by just touching someone. Nurses are at much higher risk because of IV sticks, lab draws, etc. If you do those things then that's why you would be at risk, not just by touching people.

If you want to be a nurse, being a patient care tech puts you head and shoulders above your competitors who work in other non patient related fields. It's hard work no matter where you are. Some units utilize PCTs differently than others but mainly it's a physical job and that's the entire purpose of the position. You won't escape that. Seems to me money is more important. If that's the case work at a different facility that pays more money. Otherwise you're gong to have to wait it out for an opening somewhere else.

Money is also an issue. haha, school is pretty expensive. I guess a 3rd piece of advice would be to plan out your finances and see how many days you can work while in school. Personally i think i could only put in 1 day per week. Just enough to pay for gas/food/parking (essentials), and some change for savings. I don't want to job hop from facility to facility. It hasn't been a yr yet at my current job. I really do think being a tech gives you a huge advantage, I just don't like how non-patient care jobs get paid more than the tech, i mean we do so much more work!. And yes, the job is very physical, not good for the back. Sometimes I just get cramps from standing all day in my back. Not a good feeling. I'll just keep an eye out for openings at my current facility and hope for the best!

I understand the back pain issue!!! If you feel that it's going to truly hurt your back for real I would try to find a non physical job so you can save your body for when you become a nurse. It does suck you don't get paid as much as the secretaries but what can you do. My years as a tech while I was in nursing school really paid off once I started my clinicals. Everyone else felt awkward moving their patients and having physical contact with them but not me.

I think the amount of time you work during school will depend on how many classes you have and your course workload. I only worked 20 hours a week and then during my last semester when I had my practicum I cut it down to one day a week. I wish you the best of luck at work and with school!

I have been a Nurse Tech in the Emergency Department now for about 6 months. As a previous EMT and current nursing student, I can honestly say I have learned more in the last 6 months than any other time. Clinicals and books can not prepare you for what happens here!! I find that my knowledge in school is also above where most of the other students are because the things I do 100X a day here they have never done. Although the pay is terrible, the hours are long, and sometimes you just feel in the way...when you have your nurses look at you and personally thank you for your help, there is no other feeling. This position has made me question my choice to become a nurse, but I now know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Emergency room is where I thrive. If you are in it for the money, know that eventually it will come. This job with make me a better nurse and asset to any company that I work for.

I hope this helps put some things in perspective for the tech that feels overwhelmed and underappreciated. You ARE appreciated in more ways than you will ever know, especially by those patients that see you more than most other people in the hospital. We are here for them.

I think it is wise to be a PCT or CNA before/during school. You are taught to do hands on care for patients. Many nurses lack this when they get into clinicals and the real world. Some Nurses do not understand that this is something you actually do for patients as a nurse. It is not easy, but not only do you have your foot in the door somewhere your are gaining skills some of your classmates are not.