Have you worked as a HCA?

MissMcCoy · Mar 26, 2011

If anyone else if looking this is a good site! http://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/Content/RequestAction.asp?aspAction=GetHTMLProfile&format=html&OCCPRO_ID=71003293

I would still love to hear your personal experiences!! =D

RescueNinja · Mar 26, 2011

I worked as a PSW/HCA at a LTC home through school (BScN). The pay is great where I live. PSWs here only make $1-2 less per hour than the RPNs (LPNs if you're out West). Much better than pouring coffee or flipping burgers for half the pay!

In my area (and it seems pretty standard across Canada), PSWs at nursing homes are responsible for helping residents with their ADLs. This usually includes bathing, dressing, feeding, and helping with ambulation. In hospitals and with home care there are going to be some differences, but generally the same idea.

I think working as a PSW helped me a lot in developing organizational and time management skills.

loriangel14, RN · Mar 27, 2011

I was a PSW for 8 years before becoming an RPN. I worked in the community and I helped clients with personal care and did light housekeeping. PSWs/HCA do NOT give meds.The hospital I work in has PSWs and they get pts up, help with ADLs, drain Foley bags,assist with feeding and generally act as second pair of hands/eyes on the floor. They work extremely hard and are a valuable part of the team.Some of them are planning to become nurses down the road and some are career PSWs. It is great experience for those wanting to become nurses and they make about $21 while the RPNs make about $26.50.

bradons · Mar 28, 2011

I was a HCA for a summer while in school for my BN. Pay was 16 dollars for HCA and now as a RN with my BN pay is 31.65 or something.

I worked in a LTC facility and helped with ADL's. Personally it should be a requirement to have worked as a HCA when going into nursing.

LilFoley · Mar 28, 2011

I think if you can do it, go for. It is great experience. I learned a lot of things the first year I worked. You are a frontline worker and you bust your butt off (not saying no one else does just to clarify. I just want it known that it isn't, well shouldn't be, a slack job. If it is you're not doing enough!) It is definitely a great way to learn time & stress management

I think everyone above has pretty much covered what you do, and the pay isn't horrible. It definitely beats flipping burgers as RescueNinja said :) And if you still want to become an LPN you can bridge from the HCA to PN (In Calgary anyways, I haven't really searched the rest of Alberta).

PSWs/HCA do NOT give meds.

This would depend where you are. If you take an assisting with medication course here in you can give meds as an HCA. (Some of the schools even include this as part of their program). There are even some private places who have positions as Med HCA's, who help lessen the LPNs workload. I wouldn't know if hospitals allow their HCA's to do Meds or not

Whatever you decide, good luck :)

Fiona59 · Mar 29, 2011

Hell, no. In acute care, NA's don't even apply medicated creams. It's personal care pure and simple.

MissMcCoy · Mar 29, 2011

I am such an impatient person. I thought I could take the HCA course this spring. However it looks like I can only take it in the fall. Which is when the Practical Nurse course starts.

Ill just get my ass in gear and take the few courses I need to finish up and go for the LPN this fall.

Just A Wanderer · Mar 29, 2011

I was initially planning on getting a health care aide certificate this year because, like you said, I wanted to get my foot in the door and get some experience in health care. Some nurses and nursing students I spoke with about this suggested I not do it though, that it was a waste of money - they suggested I try to apply for a porter/unit attendant position instead (which apparently only requires First Aid/CPR). I decided against getting a HCA certificate mainly because I plan on working very little while in nursing school and being a HCA is very physically and emotionally demanding - I want to minimize my stress as much as possible while in school.

But if you think you can handle it, go for it.

MissMcCoy · Mar 29, 2011

Thats what I was thinking too. A waste of 3k. The woman from norquest recomended it... Im guessing for obvious reasons.

Sure you will have a better understanding of medical terminology and you will be use to working in field. Although...Is that not what nursing SCHOOL is for?

MissMcCoy · Mar 30, 2011

After all this...

The HCA is offered in the spring.

I just applied

haha

Anyway I figure I can upgrade my pre-req's for the LPN course while taking the HCA program.

Then I will be able to work as a health care aide while doing the LPN course.

I do think its kinda a waste of 3000 but I think its a pretty good option for where I am living and such.

LilFoley · Apr 1, 2011

Haha right on. You so sound like me I am also an equally impatient person. I've tried to do the PN program 3 times now and life always threw me some curves.

It's not really a waste if you can bridge from your HCA to the PN. The first year of the bridge is online/blended so you can still work and spend time with your children. It's only a bit more than 1st semester of the PN program ( last time I looked anyways). It comes close to being about the same in the long run.

I think I read somewhere you were doing this distance as well? Honestly I wouldn't worry about it unless you don't have the best time management skills. The modules are easy to follow and some are incredibly short, so you can fly through them if needed.

Best of luck :yeah: