How did you become a PCT?

[Sophie15]

Hello!

I know that there are several routes on becoming a PCT, what was yours? I am in the process of trying to figure what route to take in order to get into the field gain experience and eventually get into nursing school. Any feedback and suggestions would be appreciated!

[coop80]

I got my CMA in 2010, and was offered a PCT position a year later,for the Inova Health System after working as a Patient Transporter.

[Axm611291]

All i had was my CNA certificate and phlebotomy and was trained at the hospital and hired as a PCT.

[funtimes]

I started out floating to different units in a hospital, which I would definitely not recommend. Working on different units every shift is ten times more difficult and stressful than working on any one unit. I work in an ICU now, and its nowhere near as stressful as my time floating to different units, dealing with different RNs on every floor, many of whom were openly hostile to any "outsider". One of the ICU nurses did the same thing and said it was the hardest job she's ever done, by a large margin.

[yadesuyi]

I worked in food service at first, then eventually applied to a different hospital as a PCT. It's all about the interview.