CNA's/PCTs are worked real hard.

Nurses General Nursing

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Sometimes much too hard. Do you ever feel guilty or empathy?I do. Absolutely true that what we as nurses do can be exceedingly hard and in some cases vital to the very life of the patient but sometimes when I see a pct that is about give out, I feel a sort of indignation/hurt on their behalf like,"why do you take this?"It's like I want to push them to schhol to get that degree and out of the mindless stampede.

Not sure if my thoughts are saying what I want them to say and I'm not trying to offend anyone but do you see where I'm coming from?

I love my pct and you treasure the ones you work so well with and I know most people enjoy their jobs to get into it the first place, but sometimes I do ache for my pcts and try to help and be available as much as I can.

Specializes in Acute Care, CM, School Nursing.

I agree that CNA/PCT are overworked. But, I feel that in healthcare, we are all overworked. Facilities are working us all so hard, to see how little we can make do with. Unfortunately, it's the whole "give an inch, they'll take a mile". The higher-ups continue to try to tighten the belt to see if maybe, just maybe, the units can function with *just one less* pair of hands... *sigh* All the while, screaming about their surveys and patient satisfaction ratings.

I worked as a PCT during nursing school, and it was hard. I took my job very seriously, knowing that the experience would be beneficial to me in my nursing career. An excellent CNA/PCT is worth their weight in gold. I am sure to thank the CNAs in my facility constantly. I have also overheard a CNA say that she wasn't going to "kill herself by working too hard" because at the end of the day, the nurse is responsible for everything. As with anything, there is always a rotten apple in the bunch...

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Specializes in LTC/Rehab.
Just curious. Why don't you go and study for your Bachelor of Nursing? or BSN whatever it is called in the UK. What is stopping you? Or do you like being a NA? You'd get more money as a RN wouldn't you in the UK?

Just curious. Do you ask every McDonald's or Walmart clerk the same question? Money isn't everything, especially to someone who does like their current work status. :down:

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Specializes in LTC/Rehab.
Yes, I also worked in a dirty job that paid $10 an hour when I was studying. I wouldn't get out of bed for $10 an hour now. Boy did I live on a VERY tight budget.

Really?? You wouldn't get out of bed for $10 an hour even if it was to help clean a feces-covered, disabled, demented 90-year old woman on hospice? There are many americans (...or the british) that live on a tight budget because their extremely noble, yet 'dirty job' doesn't pay much. THIS mindset is why so many caretakers take pride in what they do.

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Just curious. Why don't you go and study for your Bachelor of Nursing? or BSN whatever it is called in the UK. What is stopping you? Or do you like being a NA? You'd get more money as a RN wouldn't you in the UK?

At this point in time, for personal reasons, I wouldn't be able to dedicate myself fully to a course of study. It's not something I have ruled out for the future, but right now I could't give 100% dedication to it and I would like to be sure that I would finish before I begin :).

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I worked with a PCA who constantly moaned about how hard her job was, about life in general - you name it. I have worked with some fantastic and very hard working PCAs as well.

All I can say is nobody is stopping them from becoming a RN or getting their BSN. They just don't want to do the hard slog. Personally I get so tired of listening to people whinge non-stop re their 'hard' job and 'nobody appreciates them'. Join the club! Get off your behind and do something about it - but they never do; they enjoy their little comfort zone of depression and negativity. And they are too lazy to look for another position, or to study to better themselves, or constantly make endless excuses as to why they can't study.

And we ALL work hard.

You're absolutely wrong. One of the biggest reasons that CNA's have a hard time 'bettering themselves' is that they can't afford nursing school on their paltry salaries. I'm a CNA with 4 kids and a partner who's out of work. My facility can scholarship me for an RN program but only if I come up with the other 20% of the tuition. Fat chance of that. I don't have any rich relatives either. As far as getting off my behind, I do it every day. If I hear one more nurse remark that CNA's are 'too lazy to study' and become nurses I think I'll hurl. :mad:

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I worked with a PCA who constantly moaned about how hard her job was, about life in general - you name it. I have worked with some fantastic and very hard working PCAs as well.

All I can say is nobody is stopping them from becoming a RN or getting their BSN. They just don't want to do the hard slog. Personally I get so tired of listening to people whinge non-stop re their 'hard' job and 'nobody appreciates them'. Join the club! Get off your behind and do something about it - but they never do; they enjoy their little comfort zone of depression and negativity. And they are too lazy to look for another position, or to study to better themselves, or constantly make endless excuses as to why they can't study.

And we ALL work hard.

I'm so sorry to hear that PCTs are thought of as lazy & don't want to do hard work.

I'm already IN a BSN program (about to start my second yr) and working as a PCT in the ICU. I am NOT lazy, i am NOT depressed, I am NOT a whiner, I do NOT constantly make excuses about why I can't study or how "hard" my job (that really actually is not a cake walk!) is.

I AM, however, working to better myself and my future.

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