CNA .... PCT

juliaann · Mar 26, 2010

Yes, a PCT can work as a CNA (it might vary by state, make sure you check up on this with someone who lives/works in your state). A CNA cannot work as a PCT without additional training.

PCT is all the CNA skills + basic phlebotomy and EKG and wound care (non-medicated dressing changes) and respiratory. It is usually a longer course.

My hospital hires CNAs for the general med/surg floors, and PCTs for ER, ICU, Peds, NICU, L&D, and Mother/Baby.

In my state there is no PCT certification or licensing, but after taking an accredited PCT class you can sit for your AUA exam, which stands for Advanced Unlicensed Assistant. I haven't really heard the term used much anywhere else, so maybe not all states do this. Anyway, my hospital requires PCTs with AUA certification and a year of experience to be hired onto our specialty units or to work the float pool. At my hospital CNAs can work general med/surg/tele, and are often hired with no experience.

I think taking a PCT course will be more interesting and useful in your nursing future, but CNA will likely be cheaper, faster, and maybe easier to find employment with. :)

KB24 · Mar 26, 2010

PCT is a CNA with more training.

A PCT here is a CNA with EKG and Phlebotomy training.

ADeks · Mar 28, 2010

Here in Florida. A hospital will hire a CNA for Med/Surg floors. And if you want, they can train you to be a PCT. Then you can do foley catheters and such. Other than being certified through the hospital, I haven't heard anything about the AUA exam the Juliaann was talking about, but like she said different states.

Is your college a public or private college? If it's public than you could probably take a class and it wouldn't cost too much. If it is private, I would take a CNA class and then let the hospital train you because it would probably be way cheaper!