Banner employees... difference between CNA and PCA?

Cursed Irishman · May 13, 2010

Yep, thereby sidestepping quite a bit of regulatory tape.

TinkRN8 · May 13, 2010

Gotcha'. Interesting.

Thanks for the reply:)

Marlene39 · May 14, 2010

PCAs at Banner often have CNA licenses (I do). It's just the name they give some CNAs in some departments. I do everything a CNA does and it is required to have a CNA in my department to be a PCA if you are hired now. I think some of the older PCAs don't have them.

TinkRN8 · May 17, 2010

Apparently I am overqualified for a PCA postion...LOL!! That is what the recruiter told me anyway. Last year I couldn't get a CNA job because I wasn't experienced in acute care. Now, a year later and with 2 semesters of nursing school under my belt (Fast Track LPN), I am overqualified. :uhoh3: Can't win for losing. Hopefully, the other two tech jobs will pan out.

Thanks again for the replies.

Marlene39 · May 18, 2010

Oh what a bummer! My understanding is that you can't work under your license meaning an RN can't work as an LPN and an LPN can't work as a CNA or as a clerical worker. I'm sure it has to do with some legal mumbo jumbo. I'm also going to the Gateway LPN program but don't plan on taking the board exam if I want to keep my current job. I'm just going to go onto block three if at that point I don't want to quit my CNA job. This may only be a Banner policy so you might try some other hospitals.

Best of luck to you! I'm sure you find the perfect fit soon...

TinkRN8 · May 18, 2010

Oh what a bummer! My understanding is that you can't work under your license meaning an RN can't work as an LPN and an LPN can't work as a CNA or as a clerical worker. I'm sure it has to do with some legal mumbo jumbo. I'm also going to the Gateway LPN program but don't plan on taking the board exam if I want to keep my current job. I'm just going to go onto block three if at that point I don't want to quit my CNA job. This may only be a Banner policy so you might try some other hospitals.
Best of luck to you! I'm sure you find the perfect fit soon...

Thank you Marlene39,

Best of luck to you in the program! I can't believe it is over. It goes by so fast! Well, not while you are in it...LOL! I didn't take the boards either, specifically because I wanted to get a non-lpn job at Banner. I never intended to get my LPN license, it was only a means to get into the RN program quicker. Oh well, I am still in the running for the ER tech positions and I am looking at St Joes and Gilbert Mercy, as well as PCH. Something has to turn up! I may just end up volunteering somewhere and see what happens.

Marlene39 · May 18, 2010

Something has to turn up! I may just end up volunteering somewhere and see what happens.

This is exactly how I got into Banner. I volunteered in the department a month and they offered me a job (with absolutely no health care experience!). Then they hired another volunteer 6 months later who had only been there maybe 2 months and I know they hired her over existing Banner techs. Again, no experience. When they see how hard you work they will want to hire you when a position comes up. Maybe volunteer in a couple departments to increase the odds. I'm sure this is the case in other places as well. The best advice I got from the CNA school I attended was to volunteer as part of my job search. You have to make them want to hire you by being more enthusiastic than their current employees at doing the job. And get to know the nurses who will recommend you. You never know, it could get you an RN job when you finish. One of the RNs in our department was a volunteer and was hired right out of nursing school. It can happen.

:yeah:

TinkRN8 · May 18, 2010

This is exactly how I got into Banner. I volunteered in the department a month and they offered me a job (with absolutely no health care experience!). Then they hired another volunteer 6 months later who had only been there maybe 2 months and I know they hired her over existing Banner techs. Again, no experience. When they see how hard you work they will want to hire you when a position comes up. Maybe volunteer in a couple departments to increase the odds. I'm sure this is the case in other places as well. The best advice I got from the CNA school I attended was to volunteer as part of my job search. You have to make them want to hire you by being more enthusiastic than their current employees at doing the job. And get to know the nurses who will recommend you. You never know, it could get you an RN job when you finish. One of the RNs in our department was a volunteer and was hired right out of nursing school. It can happen.

Awesome! thanks! What department(s) did you work in as a volunteer and what were your duties?

neutrophil · May 19, 2010

Not a big difference between PCA and CNA, I was both. Between both of those and LVN, RN. Huge difference. If you are in nursing school. Remember everything you learned as a CNA, because it is very useful, but you will have added responsibilities. Forget the PCA, CNA differences.