CNA or PCT?

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What is better, to be a PCT or a CNA while waiting/going to nursing school?

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Depends on what you want to do once you become a nurse. Either one will give you valuable experience though. And, you can be a PCT at some places with no experience. Not easy to get in that way, but possible.

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

Arent they the same thing? I think it is a location based term. in KS, we had PCTs, where I am now they are CNAs. Unless in the er then they are ER techs.

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Specializes in CVICU.

I thought they were the same thing too. It seems like around here, they are called CNAs in LTCs and PCTs in hospitals.

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You can become a pct for davita and probably other dialysis clinics without getting your cna. Depends onwhat the company calls it and the requorements.

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Specializes in OR, Medical/Surgical, Orthopedics.

It depends. I got my CNA certification and then did phlebotomy and EKG on the side so I could get my PCT certificate hoping that it would make me a better sell when I applied to hospitals. It might have helped me get hired as a CNA at the hospital I currently work at, but I'm still considered a CNA. Some places do differentiate between the two but most places I've seen do not. It's definitely a wonderful job to have while in nursing school. I'm thankful for it every day. Plus, when I graduate my manager is going to try to get me hired on as an RN there. Also, the job really helped me with my studies and understanding what I was reading because a lot of it I physically saw at my work.

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