CNAs & Patient Care Techs in a hospital setting - what is your day like?

Serendipity, PCT · Apr 15, 2009

Thank you for this thread! I would like to know, too. :idea:

mochabean · Apr 15, 2009

How do you set-up your shift?

I'm not sure what you mean here, but when I come in I choose which side of the unit I want to work on, I get a report on patients from the night NAs, and then I go on the Cardex for additional info.(ex: contact precautions, who I need to get urine/stool cultures from, etc.)

What are you responsible for?

Bathing complete care patients, accuchecks, vitals, making sure everyone has recieved their meals, tidying up the rooms, changing briefs, turning patients, getting patients on stretchers to go to a test, gathering soiled linens, collecting meal trays, charting I&Os, collecting specimens, stripping rooms after a patient is d/c, passing out ice water, making sure new patients are on EKG, and answering call bells. I'm going through PCT training and soon I'll be doing dressing changes, phlebotomy, and reading heart monitors.

What is your routine like?

It's the same everyday, although I'm thrown off track sometimes with other things that come up. Once in a while I'll have to sit with a patient who is suicidal or at-risk for wandering.

What tasks do you complete on a daily basis?

Everything I just mentioned in the 2nd question is what I have to complete each day.

Please let me know what shift you are on.

I work 8-12 hour daylight shifts. It's very hectic in the daytime. Nights are more mellow but it's hard to keep awake.

NM nurse to be · Apr 16, 2009

mochabean~ Thanks for that post. PCT is something I'm interested in doing while wasiting for the nursing classes to start. Few more questions, if you don't mind :)

How did you get started? Were you a CNA and got hired that way or did you have to have PCT experience first?

How many patients do you have each shift? I do nights now and have 30, so I think of your list in terms of that and say NO WAY! But I know the daytime number is less :)

mochabean · Apr 16, 2009

How did you get started?

I applied for my NA position online at the hospital's website. I had no experience, but the job description for the particular hospital I applied to stated free training would be provided if I didn't have experience. I work at a hospital conglomerate, so some hospitals require prior experience and/or certification and others don't. Even the pay rates are different.

I think I had a 4 week orientation on my unit. . .I can't remember exactly how long though. It was overwhelming at first, but after being there for as long as I have I'm pretty comfortable, plus I'm still learning and watching!

Were you a CNA and got hired that way or did you have to have PCT experience first?

I was hired as a nursing assistant (I don't have to be certified). I couldn't be a PCT because I didn't have a 1-year experience. However, I've been at my NA job (med-surg) for less than a year and I'm training now for PCT. Next month I'll take phlebotomy courses. After a year, I will be able to apply for a PCT position on a specialized unit or hospital that does require experience.

How many patients do you have each shift?

I mostly work daylight hours and I usually have 5-18 patients. It all depends on the census and how many NA/PCT are working that day (I work on a large unit). If I work at night, it'll be the same amount of patients except that everyone is sleeping, so there's a lot of downtime! (I'm still thinking about switching to nights when I start nursing school in the fall).

HTH!:nuke: