CNA course vs. a PCT course? Also, how long do you have to renew?

juliaann · Mar 3, 2011

Now, a lot of this depends on your state...but here's my experience:

1) PCT programs tend to be longer/more involved than CNA programs. Many CNA programs can be done in 2 weeks, though there are 8 week and semester-long courses, depending on where you get your training. Most PCT programs I've seen take at least a semester. You will have more lab hours and more clinical hours in a PCT course. You will learn more skills in PCT course (phlebotomy and EKG are the two big ones). Depending on your area, you'll have more employment opportunities as a PCT, since you can do those other skills. If you want to be an in-home caregiver and have no interest in working in a hospital, CNA is probably the best option for you. Also a Home Health Aide certification may be even MORE appropriate for you - in my state most CNA courses also offer HHA certifcation options. I believe you have to take seperate state tests to become certified, but the combined CNA/HHA courses make you eligible.

2) This really depends on your state. In my state CNA certification is good for 2 years, and you have to work as a CNA for at least 50 hours during that period of two years to be eligible to renew. Contact your state licensicing org and ask this question - in my state it's the Department of Health.

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Mar 3, 2011

PCT training is more for if you want to work in a hospital. CNA training will allow you to do personal care in a nursing home, and in most instances you can use it to take care of people in their homes too- sometimes home health aide training is required for that, but it's the same thing as CNA plus a couple extra hours of training. The agency where I live only requires you to be a CNA.

You can also be a companion (or homemaker, or whatever), and I don't believe you need any certificates for that. Those people hang out with the client, do housekeeping, drive to appts, etc. but they don't do any bathing, toileting, etc. and they're paid a little less.

In my state you have to renew every 2 years and prove you were active a certain number of hours in the last year. I've never actually had to do the paperwork because at my job HR automatically does it for you... which is good, because I'm really bad at remembering to do things like that!

Kellyma · Mar 4, 2011

If you don't want to do medical care don't bother spending the time or money getting certified. you already have experience with seniors so apply at assisted livings or home care agencies.

I've done both, in home care is more personalized and cooking/cleaning at stuff. Assisted living is more of a community. You'll have more then one person to care for, but you'll have less chores.

Depending what you did in volunteering and what you enjoyed about it the most you might wanna look into being something like an activities director. A lot of times they're people who started out as a caregiver for the company. with seniors there's a lot of options. I'd advise you to apply at assisted livings and go from there.

Now mind you caregivers at assisted livings or in home care don't make as much as a CNA or PTA, but that might not matter.

good luck!

NurseSherie · Mar 7, 2011

I am considering cna classes as well. Im 40 and have done licensed home daycare for 14 years. I want to work in the medicalk field and feel taht PCT or CNA would enable me to work and then see if I like it to further education. I really wnat to work in the hospital though! I am very nervous because Im cueless on what to do to even get the interview ... I have been out of the work force a long time. Any suggestions ? Thanks so much!