best position for a Patient Care Associate

shelly304 · Jul 24, 2008

I believe any unit you hire into will give you a step up! Just be open and flexible. That's what HR departments look for. It will benefit you in the future! Good Luck!!!

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Jul 24, 2008

I enjoyed being a PCA on peds. It was one of those plum positions students had to stand in line for. If you want your widest variety, adult med-surg is the place to be provided you work with RNs who are willing to take you under their wing and show you the ropes.

Mexarican · Jul 24, 2008

Makes sure that it's not too tough of a floor regardless of how much you will learn. I made the mistake of taking a spot on a med/surg floor as i thought it would help me while in nursing school but many times it affected my study quality as i was totally worn out after 12 hr shifts on that floor...they ran us PCTs (patient care techs) ragged for 12 str8 hours and i finally got smart and went to an easier floor. I learned stuff, but it wasn't worth the constant fatigue. I'm now on an easier floor and even occasionally bid for a sitter position on nights as i can just sit in a patients room the whole night and do my homework! I love it. At this point the reason for a job is just to make money while i'm in nursing school not to complement my instruction at school especially not if it means working on a tough floor that leaves me to tired to benefit from nursing school.

Mex

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Jul 24, 2008

As a post-script, I have to throw my hat in the ring with others who have said to take it easy on the job. My experiences working made me more comfortable in a hospital setting but didn't really add to my knowledge. I was too busy filling water pitchers and answering patient call bells to do much else.

Kunzieo · Jul 24, 2008

I worked on a step-down unit (Cardiac, post-op, renal failure, stroke, diabetic complications...we saw it all!) The pts were a little sicker than most med-surg, so I was able to learn a lot by watching all of the nurses, plus I worked night shift, where there are not quite as many call-lights and water/food request (although we had our share!) so I was able to spend more time doing direct pt care.

Make sure you ask how many pts you will be responsible for when you interview! I liked my job, but I was the sole PCA on nights for 28-38 pts! Did not know this when I interviewed, because I was just so excited to be getting a hospital job that I didn't even care what the job description was! I burned out quickly (1.5 yrs) because there were just too many people needing too many things ALL of the time!