CNA verse PCA ?????

[MaleRNstudent21, ASN, CNA, RN]

I'm in my prereq's of my ADN program working on obtaining my RN. I just made my lucky 22nd birthday. To make a long story short..... I was wondering what is the difference between a CNA and a Patient Care Assistant. It's hard to find sites about the patient care assistant. More likely it is because this is a fairly newer career. I know that you must have prior CNA training in order to become a PCA. Although, I don't really know what is the job duties of this career. This profession has become an interest to me, since I have heard a bit about they have a little more area's of training than a CNA. I'm planing to take a semester off from my institution now to go to Concorde for 5 months to obtain this skill. The reason why I thought about doing this is because it would grant me a little job security and help me with my acceptance into nursing school. Also, I think it would put my foot in the door being in a hospital or elderly homes environment. I'm prepared for anything that comes my way with this position, rather its cleaning up feces or urine. I'M READY TO GET DIRTY, lol. I feel that someone has to do it. And if I was in their shoes I would want the compassion of someone to help me with my daily needs. Is it any males who are in this career now? And do you guys really think that it was a better change getting accepted due to aide experience? What is the pay differential for a CNA versus a PCA. And why do people call it a Patient Care Tech rather than a Patient Care Assistant? HELP!

Thanks, MaleRNstudent21

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

Generally PCA and PCT are titles that describe unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP's). While some might require CNA training for these positions, many don't require anything beyond a HS diploma or GED.

Hospitals have varying titles for their UAP's. PCA, PCT, and Nurse Tech are some of the ones you'll run into frequently. Best to check with the hospitals themselves for information on job duties and educational requirements.

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

At our hospital, a PCA can work on any general floor. However, due to regulatory differences, a PCA must also be a STNA (state tested nursing assistant) to work on our rehab floor. Different regs.

[Larry77, RN]

Where I work the PCA's are also trained in the secretary position so they can enter orders do the phones etc. Only problem is this can be confusing to the Pt's who have no idea what a PCA is and I have seen over-confident CNA's/PCA's give medical advice and actually disconnect IV's etc.

[MadamMermaid, LPN]

Being a PCA is a great job for experience before getting into a program. PCA and tech are the same thing. It really helps get up your people skills (OH YES.), you learn a lot from the nurses if you pay attention, it looks good for school, and if you're cut out for the field you'll get over the icky stuff pretty quick. Try to get a position where you work on every floor. You'll meet everyone, get loads of advice, and perhaps find out exactly what kind of nursing you'd like to get into. I know a few people who are CNAs but they don't pass meds or do anything different from me. If you get training you can be paid more if you know how to put in orders or do labs etc. A lot of guys are PCAs... not as many as girls but that's probably expected.

Where I work this is what we're responsible for (there's more but these are the basics): baths/bed making, feedings, answering call lights, vitals, some transport, blood sugars, doing 1:1 suicide/behavioral watches, and supporting your nurses! Basically keeping the patients comfortable and safe, and keeping the nurses informed of any/all changes you see. In the ER you may do a few more things, especially if you get trained as a trauma tech.

You will get training when you're hired. Although you'll be doing most of your learning on the job! All I needed was my HS diploma, I was pretty much in because my mom has been an RN at the hospital for about 25 years. Good luck to you.

[MaleRNstudent21, ASN, CNA, RN]

Thanks guys for the info. The school that I'm going to be attending has a 5 month course. They do have a cna test that would give you certification after the program, and a externship prior to the end of the study. MadamMermaid, I do plan to work in a hospital where I can be in different departments. The hospital my mom works at that is how their aids are scheduled. I hope to do homecare through a agency until I get to my Nursing externship. In my state,TN level 2 RN students start at $16-19/hr. Anyways, thanks again everyone for the input. I hope to start school this fall for the pct training.

[snovbunny25]

MaleRNstudent21 said:

Thanks guys for the info. The school that I'm going to be attending has a 5 month course. They do have a cna test that would give you certification after the program, and a externship prior to the end of the study. MadamMermaid, I do plan to work in a hospital where I can be in different departments. The hospital my mom works at that is how their aids are scheduled. I hope to do homecare through a agency until I get to my Nursing externship. In my state,TN level 2 RN students start at $16-19/hr. Anyways, thanks again everyone for the input. I hope to start school this fall for the pct training.

Hey,

I just wanted to add... I had medical assistant training only and was hired in the ER as a tech. I was trained as a trauma tech, as well as other things such as (temp) splinting, draw blood, assist patients to radiology, triage,suture/staple removals,clean and bandage wounds, D/C IV's,(and all the other things some mentioned here)etc etc etc. I have never had such a more wonderful experience as I had in the ER. I think i will call myself ER JUNKIE

pstpst.........you will clean up more poop and pee in nursing homes then in the E.R(at least) Good Luck.