First Foley

I inserted my first foley catheter tonight! YAY for me!!!:yelclap: I was kinda nervous about it knowing that I had never done it in school or at work before, so one of my CNA 's which was a PCT 2 went into the room with me to help walk me through it. It felt so weird that she had done it before and I hadn't and I was the nurse. I'm very glad she was there. After trying a couple of times, I finally got urine. I don't think I have ever been that happy to see URINE before. Only in Nursing!! :rotfl:

Hah! I just did my first foley a few days ago also... the lady was less than an hour from labor and she had an epidural. I was so nervous with her husband looking on (I'm a male nursing student)... but also because of my super-unpatient-fast nursing instructor and another student being in the room watching...

I did so many things wrong... nervous as can be... but at the very least I immediately knew what i did wrong just as soon as I did it. =)

Got it my first try... I brought an extra kit cause I was sure that I would hit the lady parts the first time. Heh.

By the way... what is a CNA doing putting in a foley!?! (not sure what a PCT is... thought it stood for Preceptor)

I inserted my first foley catheter tonight! YAY for me!!!:yelclap: I was kinda nervous about it knowing that I had never done it in school or at work before, so one of my CNA 's which was a PCT 2 went into the room with me to help walk me through it. It felt so weird that she had done it before and I hadn't and I was the nurse. I'm very glad she was there. After trying a couple of times, I finally got urine. I don't think I have ever been that happy to see URINE before. Only in Nursing!! :rotfl:

Here's where I can insert my first rule of nursing self taught today only I'm going to give it to you for free. Being a CNA for years before I became an RN has given me the upmost respect for that position. I treat my support like angels and are just that. For instance one of my CNA's a 40 y/o guy who rides his bike everyday to work. (He was difficult to get to know when I first started) I make it a point when ever I can to throw his bike in the back of my pickup and give him a ride home and without a doubt when its raining. It's really no big deal I have to go his way to get home. This little deed is nothing to me, but it's the world to him. Really who wants to work 8 then ride there bike home at 0700 am. Like I was saying this little thing has made his whole day better. I've never had to ask but my rooms get stocked first thing at night. My patients always go upstairs first. The man knows when I don't make it to the cafateria for lunch and picks me something up. You could ask for a nicer guy or a better friend and it takes nothing out of my day. Where I was getting at Angel is that your your going to find there's a whole world of those first times out there and don't get caught up in that I'm the nurse therefore I should know more than the CNA's mentality. Surround yourself with secretaries and CNA's like the one who taught you how to do your first foley. Make sure you tell them everyday that your glad that they're working and thank them every chance you get for these are the people who can make you or break you. They can make you shine even when you don't and they require little maintance it's surprising how fair a simple ride home will get you.

Hah! I just did my first foley a few days ago also... the lady was less than an hour from labor and she had an epidural. I was so nervous with her husband looking on (I'm a male nursing student)... but also because of my super-unpatient-fast nursing instructor and another student being in the room watching...

I did so many things wrong... nervous as can be... but at the very least I immediately knew what i did wrong just as soon as I did it. =)

Got it my first try... I brought an extra kit cause I was sure that I would hit the lady parts the first time. Heh.

By the way... what is a CNA doing putting in a foley!?! (not sure what a PCT is... thought it stood for Preceptor)

PCT is a Patient Care Technician. I think it's somewhere between CNA and LPN, not really sure.

Here's where I can insert my first rule of nursing self taught today only I'm going to give it to you for free. Being a CNA for years before I became an RN has given me the upmost respect for that position. I treat my support like angels and are just that. For instance one of my CNA's a 40 y/o guy who rides his bike everyday to work. (He was difficult to get to know when I first started) I make it a point when ever I can to throw his bike in the back of my pickup and give him a ride home and without a doubt when its raining. It's really no big deal I have to go his way to get home. This little deed is nothing to me, but it's the world to him. Really who wants to work 8 then ride there bike home at 0700 am. Like I was saying this little thing has made his whole day better. I've never had to ask but my rooms get stocked first thing at night. My patients always go upstairs first. The man knows when I don't make it to the cafateria for lunch and picks me something up. You could ask for a nicer guy or a better friend and it takes nothing out of my day. Where I was getting at Angel is that your your going to find there's a whole world of those first times out there and don't get caught up in that I'm the nurse therefore I should know more than the CNA's mentality. Surround yourself with secretaries and CNA's like the one who taught you how to do your first foley. Make sure you tell them everyday that your glad that they're working and thank them every chance you get for these are the people who can make you or break you. They can make you shine even when you don't and they require little maintance it's surprising how fair a simple ride home will get you.

I really do understand where you are coming from, I have never been a CNA but I do believe that becoming a LPN before a RN is going to make me appreciate all of these "titles" even more. I never knew how hard of a job that CNA's had until my current job. I really do appreciate them and all of their hard work and dedication. The CNA that helped me with the foley made a comment to me on our ride home that really did make my day. She told me that I would make a great RN. I will never forget yesterday, and definately be thankful for my CNA's everyday.

:w00t:

:w00t:

Tweety your up aweful early you must just be hitting the pillow good nite man.

A PCT is generally a step below a CNA. Then comes the 2 which is special powers given by whom ever. Any of these folks once taught how are perfectly capable and within their scope to present.

I swear no disrespect Slob any day of week I would rather have old PCT drop a foley in me than a first time nursing student ;-) Read my last post friend respect these people.

Here's where I can insert my first rule of nursing self taught today only I'm going to give it to you for free. Being a CNA for years before I became an RN has given me the upmost respect for that position. I treat my support like angels and are just that. For instance one of my CNA's a 40 y/o guy who rides his bike everyday to work. (He was difficult to get to know when I first started) I make it a point when ever I can to throw his bike in the back of my pickup and give him a ride home and without a doubt when its raining. It's really no big deal I have to go his way to get home. This little deed is nothing to me, but it's the world to him. Really who wants to work 8 then ride there bike home at 0700 am. Like I was saying this little thing has made his whole day better. I've never had to ask but my rooms get stocked first thing at night. My patients always go upstairs first. The man knows when I don't make it to the cafateria for lunch and picks me something up. You could ask for a nicer guy or a better friend and it takes nothing out of my day. Where I was getting at Angel is that your your going to find there's a whole world of those first times out there and don't get caught up in that I'm the nurse therefore I should know more than the CNA's mentality. Surround yourself with secretaries and CNA's like the one who taught you how to do your first foley. Make sure you tell them everyday that your glad that they're working and thank them every chance you get for these are the people who can make you or break you. They can make you shine even when you don't and they require little maintance it's surprising how fair a simple ride home will get you.

You are so right; a CNA or PCT can make you or break you. I always try to remember to thank each of them after evry shift. It's a little thing & means a lot.

I remember as a new grad in psych working the evening shift with two mental health tech's; if it wasn't for those two women I don't know where I'd be today! They taught me more then anyone.

Mary Ann

You are so right; a CNA or PCT can make you or break you. I always try to remember to thank each of them after evry shift. It's a little thing & means a lot.

I remember as a new grad in psych working the evening shift with two mental health tech's; if it wasn't for those two women I don't know where I'd be today! They taught me more then anyone.

Mary Ann

One day they save your ***.

I swear no disrespect Slob any day of week I would rather have old PCT drop a foley in me than a first time nursing student ;-) Read my last post friend respect these people.

If a PCT is an unlicensed nurses aide... then I might have to differ in opinion. I totally respect the CNA position since i've worked as both a Mental Health Nurses Aide and med/surg NA (not certified, but they will accept you if you've had atleast 1 semester RN school). I also respect them simply because i'm a decent human being that respects others hard work.

However, no where in a CNAs schooling does it teach about inserting foleys. Maybe a CNA has seen someone do it... do I trust them? Do i trust that they understand the importance of sterile technique and know what to do in abnormal circumstances? Not really.

With that said... I wouldn't trust the student either. =) I told my girlfriend that if we ever had a birthplan... it would say: "No VitK or HepB injections by students". I barely trust myself finding the right location and not puncturing a nerve... there's no way I trust another student on my child. Heh.

As for the pregnant ladies cath... yeah, she had an epidural... so I don't think she minded one bit... =)

A PCT in my city (Phoenix metro valley) must be a licensed CNA before they can get the PCT training. The PCT training is everything from sterile technique, venipuncture, catheter insertion, and wound care. They're taught by BSNs at the same colleges as RNs learn their skills. The venipunctures aren't signed off until 100 successful ones are done.

That said, I've seen my share of incompetent nurses AND doctors, so don't assume just because someone has a certain title that they're all-knowing.

A PCT in my city (Phoenix metro valley) must be a licensed CNA before they can get the PCT training. The PCT training is everything from sterile technique, venipuncture, catheter insertion, and wound care. They're taught by BSNs at the same colleges as RNs learn their skills. The venipunctures aren't signed off until 100 successful ones are done.

That said, I've seen my share of incompetent nurses AND doctors, so don't assume just because someone has a certain title that they're all-knowing.

Hmmm... can they also do injections? How does this differ from the scope of pratice of a Medical Assistant or Phlebotomist?

Hmmm... can they also do injections? How does this differ from the scope of pratice of a Medical Assistant or Phlebotomist?

PCTs don't get the billing, coding, office training that MAs get. Also, no injections, just venipuncture and cath training as far as "invasive" techniques are concerned. PCTs are also taught EKG along with what I mentioned. PCTs are mainly used in hosptical med/surg floors, whereas most MAs work in doctors offices. As far as hosptials are concerned though, PCTs usually don't get to do phlebotomy or even catheters on the floors. Most of them only do wound care (minor) and help the RN/LPN do a little more than a CNA with simple stuff. The hospitals here all use their own phlebotomists from the lab and make the nurses do the catheters, unless they come from another department with one already in, e.g., surgery. The CNAs are getting phased out for PCTs, except where LTC is needed. Nursing home are still just using CNAs. A lot of hosptials here won't even hire LPNs anymore.