difference in getting PCT AND LPN

Nienna Celebrindal · Feb 12, 2015

We no longer hire LVN's in our hospital because they are limited in what they can do in this environment. But they do have a license which the PCT does not. Maybe the facility that is giving the LVN's a new job description are cutting out the LVN's too and at least giving them a job till the LVN decides what to do next.

Its not just the limitations but more the issues with patient ratios

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2015

Are they same in any way or lpn is little vast than pct? Please advice

No they are not the same and I have no idea what you mean by "lpn is little vast than pct."

A PCT is a patient care technician. Everywhere I've ever worked, PCT was a fancy name for a nurse aide role because the hospitals wanted to hire people who weren't actually certified nurses' aides so they could pay them less. There are some places that will literally hire anyone with a pulse into this role. One of my nursing instructors used to say that the certifications these people present with are often not worth the piece of paper they're printed on. A good PCT or CNA is worth their weight in gold but, honestly, that just hasn't been my experience with UAPs in my career.

An LPN is a licensed nurse.

downsouthlaff, LPN · Feb 20, 2015

PCT is a broad undefined term. Although many trade schools have a PCT program, there are no defined educational standards for PCTs. These prgorams usually prepare students to work as UAPs or Office Assistants in all healthcare enviroments. Although PCTs may hold EKG , Phlebotomy, or CNA credentials, there is no unified formal regulations for PCTs. Some may earn well, some may earn minumum wage. An RN or LPN may work as a PCT.

LPNs are licensed nurses. They are bound to a regulatory body. They do perform assessments , monitor care , communicate and share input with physicians, administer and monitor for effects of medication, use nursing judgement obtained from 18 months of Patho, Pharmacology, Anatomy, Fundamentals, and NCLEX Prep, and apply them to situations. Although some may think that PCTs are replacing LPNs in acute care there not. LPN practice in some areas are just gone from acute care. But PCTs cannot replace LPNs. All the nursing judgement and functions has just been allocated to RNs to save time and money. PCTs can legally only do what the states BON allows of UAPs. Some states allow more than others.

You may see some LPNs in some areas in acute care work as PCTs and take majpr pay cuts because of there reluctantness to leave acute care with the times. But what people dont understand is Acute Care is becoming a broken system. They have been impacted greatly by the economy and alternate types of care such as home health and sub acute rehab. LPNs may be phasing out of hospitals but hospitals as we know them may be phased out themselves. There is a bold prediction that by 2020 1/3 of all hospitals will close, because of an immergence of more SNFs, free standing rehab centers, LTAC Hospitals and Urgent Care Centers.

downsouthlaff, LPN · Feb 20, 2015

In other words , any RN would tell you that with a 10 patient Census with 5 critical patients and 5 stable recovering patients it would be much better to have an LPN take those 5 stable patients and take charge of the majority of there nursing care; discharges, meds , physicians orders, documentation etc. But thats a luxury and luxuries arent allowed with budget cuts. So the RN gets the 10 patients with a PCT to help with ADLs and practical skills. Cost effective. In LTC more RN staff is a luxury. But remeber theres more LPN staff. Cost effective. But none of it is care effective.