CNA to PCT

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Hopefully, I will pass my exams to become a CNA in 2016-2017. I graduate from high school in 2017, so I will be a CNA for some months (I think 4+?) before I finish high school. Is there a way I can go from CNA to PCT? I can't just stop the CNA courses and say I want to be a PCT instead, because we don't earn certifications other than our license in my technical program WITHIN my high school. My school does not offer PCT, only CNA.

I KNOW CNA COURSES TO NOT TAKE YEARS TO COMPLETE. I AM IN A BASIC MEDICAL COURSE FOR 2014-2015 2015-2016, WE THEN TAKE THE CNA COURSE OUR SENIOR YEAR 2016-2017.

Thank you!

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A PCT is just a different name for a CNA. There is no difference. There are LOTS of names for the same roll: Nurse Tech, PCA (patient care assistant), UAP (unlicensed assistive personal), UP, etc.

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Really? I saw they make 7K more a year, and have different certifications.

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Maybe in your state? But from what I have seen CNAs can apply to anything.

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.

I don't know how it is in your state but from what I know in my area, you can take EKG and phlebotomy courses to make yourself more marketable and to get a PCT position.

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Really? I saw they make 7K more a year, and have different certifications.

Generally a PCT is a CNA who has phlebotomy and EKG certifications. You can take a national test from say the NHA, and they will "certify" you after you take the PCT course.

Or if you work in a hospital as a CNA, they will teach you phlebotomy and EKG's, and then you are certified within THAT hospital as a PCT.

Best of luck. I admire you being so young and ambitious!

P.S. love your avatar. It looks familiar... Lol

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Thank you! :D do all hospitals offer that or do I have to ask? We're twinning!

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Finish high school as a CNA use it while you work through college. In our state PCT/PCA is just advanced training in phlebotomy and EKG. However, coming out of high school as a CNA is a great start in your career.

As far as pay it is a 4-6 dollar difference

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I think it depends on the hospital; it will vary from facility to facility what they offer.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, ICU.

PCT's usually get different certifications like phlebotomy, CPR, and maybe a few other things depends on where you work. Where I work as a PCT I already had my CPR cert. I was not able to get my phlebotomy certification because i work on a ICU. I am able to d/c IV's, take blood sugars, do straight caths, and of course anything that a CNA can do (vitals, baths, changing patients, feeding, etc.). I have worked as both a CNA and a PCT I make about 4k more a year as a tech.

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The main difference between a CNA and a PCT is that you don't need a license to be a PCT. CNAs are usually only called that in nursing homes where they make between 8-10 dollars an hour. PCTS where I work make 14.

Nurse Techs are completely different in that they do assessments and can put in IVs and Foleys because they are someone who is in nursing school. They make 18/hr.

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I am a CNA that is currently working as a PCT and the only difference is the phlebotomy and EKG training which I got once I was hired.

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