Best/ Worst Advice

joseyjo · Aug 9, 2016

I'm a new nursing student starting in 3 weeks as well, so please forgive my ignorance. What is the difference between a CNA and PCT?

Cna'susually work in long term care/ home heath. Pct's work in hospitals.

Mhsrnbsn · Aug 10, 2016

My advice... NO ONE LIKES A KNOW IT ALL. Your professors, your classmates, your clinical instructors, and the nurses at the clinical sites. It's great to know things but let that show through your work... Don't talk up how great you are or always be the first to answer a question or talk over someone else trying to answer questions.

Even if your right you're wrong. I know this sounds horrible but in the shoes of student, you don't have the time or luxury to make a (infamous) name for yourself... For example The book may have said "don't turn your back or you break sterile field" no one will appreciate you pointing this out in clinical unless it's your teachers, floor nurses don't have patience for that:sarcastic: however, if it is truly warranted and could be a life or death situation certainly speak up!

If you disagree with a professor, classmate, clinical instructor... Address it in private, it's highly unprofessional to argue your point of view in front of a crowd. It is not to your benefit to be "that" student. Figure out which hills are worth dying on. If you have a problem with a staff nurse during clinical... DO NOT try to make her look bad by bad mouthing her to her co-workers, instead address it with your clinical instructor, who should from there approach this nurse.

always study, always be dedicated to learning! Nursing is unlike any other undergraduate program i ever got info on. Let me tell you I partied a lot (but I was an LPN first, so had many skills and some knowledge already)... On Friday nights at the bars and clubs... There were no nursing students out hardly ever... Get used to the no life thing... The beauty of nursing... You pay the price of missed parties drinking with your cohort and all that up front... Once you graduate depending on where you work, you can make up for lost time while the criminal justice majors, journalism majors, teaching majors are mostly working :whistling: the only time it stings is (every other) holidays and weekends.

mind your body language, if you learn a good poker face and to control the eye rolls you will go far. It's better to leave people unable to "read" you than the let your expressions say what your mouth won't. This will also come in handy when you have a patient with a disgusting wound not be self conscious if you can pretend it doesn't smell putrid or looks hopeless, it helps them remain calm.

Learning style: there's several tests online that you can take that will help you figure out your learning style and personality type, check them out and do a few so you know it's not just coincidence.

find a nurturer, for me it was my mom. Find someone that will not give up being positive for you!! Nursing school is hard, and you will probably fail at least one test most of us have! You just need someone that will keep you grounded and not let you beat yourself up. I remember failing one test by two points and I was crushed my mom bless her heart "you aren't stupid, you're learning you weren't born with this knowledge, review the material so you're prepared for the final, this isn't the end of the world". Try not to beat yourself up too much it's a mostly uphill struggle. Good luck!!!

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 10, 2016

Worst Advice: You can't work in nursing school. Working not only provided me a Starbucks fund, but it actually improved my time management skills significantly. I HAD to schedule study time, etc. just like I would a work schedule. Funny enough, this ended up transferring itself to my clinicals and I've always gotten comments on my great prioritization and time management skills in clinical.

Best Advice: Nursing school should not be all work. I regularly take time away from the books to regain my sanity. The night before exams I don't study. Period. EVER. I find something to do like go to a movie or go to one of those wine and paint events. I also schedule at least one "me" day a week to do something that doesn't involved nursing school. It has really helped with the stress management.

Apples&Oranges · Aug 11, 2016

Difference between CNA and PCT: No matter what anyone else says, it depends on YOUR facility. In my hospital system, there was a huge difference - PCTs were the phlebotomists, put in IVs, transported monitored patients, monitored patients during MRI and CT, put in Foleys, managed chest tubes and pigtails, we could even run with the code team...on and on. CNAs pretty much just took vitals and did I/Os. But that was MY hospital system. In other systems, the line is not so clear. In my experience, you had to be a CNA for 6 months or have some nursing school under your belt before you could train to be a PCT - again, that depends on the place. I would call and ask HR, and do whatever you have to do to get the most experience and responsibility you can. Not just cause it looks good on a resume, but cause it will make you more marketable and comfortable in the future.

guest8616 · Aug 11, 2016

My advice... NO ONE LIKES A KNOW IT ALL. Your professors, your classmates, your clinical instructors, and the nurses at the clinical sites. It's great to know things but let that show through your work... Don't talk up how great you are or always be the first to answer a question or talk over someone else trying to answer questions.
Even if your right you're wrong. I know this sounds horrible but in the shoes of student, you don't have the time or luxury to make a (infamous) name for yourself... For example The book may have said "don't turn your back or you break sterile field" no one will appreciate you pointing this out in clinical unless it's your teachers, floor nurses don't have patience for that:sarcastic: however, if it is truly warranted and could be a life or death situation certainly speak up!
If you disagree with a professor, classmate, clinical instructor... Address it in private, it's highly unprofessional to argue your point of view in front of a crowd. It is not to your benefit to be "that" student. Figure out which hills are worth dying on. If you have a problem with a staff nurse during clinical... DO NOT try to make her look bad by bad mouthing her to her co-workers, instead address it with your clinical instructor, who should from there approach this nurse.
always study, always be dedicated to learning! Nursing is unlike any other undergraduate program i ever got info on. Let me tell you I partied a lot (but I was an LPN first, so had many skills and some knowledge already)... On Friday nights at the bars and clubs... There were no nursing students out hardly ever... Get used to the no life thing... The beauty of nursing... You pay the price of missed parties drinking with your cohort and all that up front... Once you graduate depending on where you work, you can make up for lost time while the criminal justice majors, journalism majors, teaching majors are mostly working the only time it stings is (every other) holidays and weekends.
mind your body language, if you learn a good poker face and to control the eye rolls you will go far. It's better to leave people unable to "read" you than the let your expressions say what your mouth won't. This will also come in handy when you have a patient with a disgusting wound not be self conscious if you can pretend it doesn't smell putrid or looks hopeless, it helps them remain calm.
Learning style: there's several tests online that you can take that will help you figure out your learning style and personality type, check them out and do a few so you know it's not just coincidence.
find a nurturer, for me it was my mom. Find someone that will not give up being positive for you!! Nursing school is hard, and you will probably fail at least one test most of us have! You just need someone that will keep you grounded and not let you beat yourself up. I remember failing one test by two points and I was crushed my mom bless her heart "you aren't stupid, you're learning you weren't born with this knowledge, review the material so you're prepared for the final, this isn't the end of the world". Try not to beat yourself up too much it's a mostly uphill struggle. Good luck!!!

Thank you for taking the time to write such a thorough and honest response! I really appreciate it :)

Going2bRN, ASN, BSN · Aug 11, 2016

I don't have any advice as I am starting nursing classes this semester along with my first clinical. I am a bit anxious, a lot curious, super excited, and secretly terrified. Thanks for all the advice! Keep it coming. :)