Need advice please

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in CNA, PCT.

I am in the process of preparing myself to leave a well paying but dead end jod that Ive been at for 16 years. I wanted to go to nursing school but the scheduling and cost does not allow me to at the present time. I am interested in doing the dialysis tech course or the cna and pca course. I have to keep in mind the salary I would make working as one or the other as I can take but so much of a pay cut.. Can someone here give me the pros and cons of each of these courses and professions? Maybe it would help me make up my mind.. Thanks

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Specializes in LTC.

I don't how much you are making now... but you will be taking a HUGE Pay cut being a CNA/ PCA/ Or dialysis tech. The average CNA makes about 10 dollars an hour. It is a good profession if you love taking care of others. The main duties include bathing, feeding, and taking vital signs of residents or patients. If you are compassionate and not in it for the money this will be great for you.Or if you want to get experience to prepare for nursing school. I had a lawyer in my class who became a CNA. She wanted to get experience, and ofcourse took a major pay cut ! Good luck to whatever you decide.

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Specializes in CNA, PCT.

Hmmm.. I am wondering what part of the country you live in.. My sis in law is a pca and her annual salary is 35k.. we are in New York, so that may explain it.. I am not looking to become a cna, I was thinking more of a pca but was told that in order to take the pca course, you must first become a certified cna..

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

I"m kind of confused here. Where I live a PCA (patient care assistant) IS a CNA (certified nursing assistant). One or the other has taken a course...but both do the same work and I believe get the same pay.

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Specializes in CNA, PCT.

From what I know from called the schools and talking to my sis in law, the cna is the certified nurses assistant and the pca is the patient care associate. From what Ive been told, the cna is below the pca and you must get certified as a cna in order to take the pca course. I was told that the pca makes more than the cna

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Specializes in LTC.
From what I know from called the schools and talking to my sis in law, the cna is the certified nurses assistant and the pca is the patient care associate. From what Ive been told, the cna is below the pca and you must get certified as a cna in order to take the pca course. I was told that the pca makes more than the cna

Where I live this is also the case. In General PCA's do alot more than CNA's. CNA can't do phlebotomy (spelling), check blood sugars, hook up EKG's and etc. It does make sense that PCA's do make more than CNA's do.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Surgery, PACU,SICU.

I am in nursing school and work as a PCT (CNA) in IA. I make 9.62 an hr and do blood sugar cks, hook up telemetry, and all basic pt care CNA's do. 9.62 is a far cry from 35K

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Specializes in CNA, PCT.

may I ask where you live

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Specializes in Cardiology - critical care.
I am in the process of preparing myself to leave a well paying but dead end jod that Ive been at for 16 years. I wanted to go to nursing school but the scheduling and cost does not allow me to at the present time. I am interested in doing the dialysis tech course or the cna and pca course. I have to keep in mind the salary I would make working as one or the other as I can take but so much of a pay cut.. Can someone here give me the pros and cons of each of these courses and professions? Maybe it would help me make up my mind.. Thanks

I think a pro may be that if you work as an aide in a hospital, you may be able to recieve reimbursement for your education .....

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Specializes in CNA, PCT.
I think a pro may be that if you work as an aide in a hospital, you may be able to recieve reimbursement for your education .....

Yes, I agree.. I had orignally wanted to go to nursing school 2 years ago. I couldnt really afford to and I cant get a loan due to reasons I wont get into, but besides the fact that I can get reimbursed for my education, the health insurance is also a big plus.. im not looking to get rich being a dialysis tech or a pca. i just need to make sure i can pay my bills.. Know what I mean?

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Since most CNAs and PCA's don't make much money, it is not unusual to have a second job.

I used to work with a couple of aides who had disabled clients who they would work with before and after work.

The $35K figure quoted might be from more than one job.

Cost can be a problem for school; have you looked at community colleges?

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Specializes in ICU.

I'm not sure the reasons why you can't get a student loan, but if you're worried about your credit,, student loans (government subsidized) are not given based on your credit score. IF that were the case I would have never became a nurse.

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