I am fed up with PCT position...

studentnursemon86 · Dec 24, 2014

I work in an ER which is a little different than the med-surg and ICU. Techs have a little more autonomy and are expected to know what to do on certain situations.

If someone comes in with chest pain, we are expected to be there with an EKG machine and a glucometer if they also happen to be diabetic. If we get an MVA we better have a c-collar out and get them on a monitor/ and if it is a female we need a urine preg before they get all of their X-rays and CT scans. I often find myself anticipating my nurse's needs and sometimes am on it before they ask. Like if my patient is a chest pain and has a troponin 2 due, I will try to have it done on time and sometimes if the nurse asks, I've already done it.

funtimes · Dec 24, 2014

ER tech really is a lot different, so much so that the jobs almost aren't comparable, despite having the name tech in them. ER techs where I worked were basically phlebotomists and ECG techs who also took vitals and did a few other tasks. You didn't have this continuous heavy workload like you do on the floors, but were expected to show initiative and do what needed to be done without being told, and to generally make yourself useful. Those techs that didn't do that generally didn't last long.

Techs on the floors do a lot more "heavy" cares, IE cleaning people up full of crap and pee, doing bed baths, trach care, and lifting and repositioning patients. Its a very different type of job. Both check lots of vital signs but that's pretty much where the similarities end. I found being an ER tech a lot easier, but I was good at IV starts and had lots of EMT experience, other people might find it more intimidating at first. Personally id take the ER over any floor or ICU any day, but its hard to find a full time tech job in the ER.

Purple_roses · Dec 24, 2014

I promise you, all nurses are not like this. I'm a home care CNA, and I've visited many residents in several different nursing homes and hospitals. I've encountered some very bad nurses who should probably never have passed clinicals. But I've met far more kind ones. There's bad and good in every profession. You are being treated horribly and you certainly do not deserve that. I have no respect for someone who leaves another person in need (like a bathroom cleanup) so that another person can get to it later. That's disrespectful to the patient/resident. I would start job searching if I were working in that environment. Good luck to you. Do what you can for now and just do the very best that you can for the sake of the patients you're caring for.

studentnursemon86 · Dec 25, 2014

ER tech really is a lot different, so much so that the jobs almost aren't comparable, despite having the name tech in them. ER techs where I worked were basically phlebotomists and ECG techs who also took vitals and did a few other tasks. You didn't have this continuous heavy workload like you do on the floors, but were expected to show initiative and do what needed to be done without being told, and to generally make yourself useful. Those techs that didn't do that generally didn't last long.
Techs on the floors do a lot more "heavy" cares, IE cleaning people up full of crap and pee, doing bed baths, trach care, and lifting and repositioning patients. Its a very different type of job. Both check lots of vital signs but that's pretty much where the similarities end. I found being an ER tech a lot easier, but I was good at IV starts and had lots of EMT experience, other people might find it more intimidating at first. Personally id take the ER over any floor or ICU any day, but its hard to find a full time tech job in the ER.

While it is different, I wouldn't necessarily say "easier." Maybe easier on your back at times, but we get our fair share of heavy lifts and patients with poop from head to toe. And we do a lot more than blood draws and EKGs. At least in my ER we do.

Focus&Determine · Dec 28, 2014

Being a PCA in a hospital setting is for the thick-skinned (IMO). Once you get on your unit, get report from the other aid and begin your vitals and finger sticks because once the Nurses are done getting report frist thing their going to need is that information. Distractions may come in the way like a call light, a patient needing assistance, discharging a patient out at the last minute for the pervious shift, transporting a patient, picking up the slack from the previous shift, a code, and etc., all while taking vitals. I had my moments and their where a few times where I told a few of them to step outside because I didn't want to be disrespected or disrespectful in front of the patients and/or staffs...There are some that may try to test you, but you have to stand firm and abrasive against the storm. There are the Nurses who really don't try to be mean or rude, its just the pressure that their under. Give your best 12 hours and leave it there at the end of your shift.

funtimes · Dec 28, 2014

While it is different, I wouldn't necessarily say "easier." Maybe easier on your back at times, but we get our fair share of heavy lifts and patients with poop from head to toe. And we do a lot more than blood draws and EKGs. At least in my ER we do.

I think 12 leads are easy, its not like a tech has to interpret them, just place the leads and type in some info. IV starts and to a lesser extent blood draws can be frustrating at times. There's nothing worse than having what looks like an easy stick and when the Nurse asks if they have a line yet, you have to explain why the patient now has 2 blown veins, and still no IV or labs. Still that's probably the one sole hard thing about being an ER tech compared to the foors. In every other way I find it easier.

studentnursemon86 · Dec 28, 2014

I think 12 leads are easy, its not like a tech has to interpret them, just place the leads and type in some info. IV starts and to a lesser extent blood draws can be frustrating at times. There's nothing worse than having what looks like an easy stick and when the Nurse asks if they have a line yet, you have to explain why the patient now has 2 blown veins, and still no IV or labs. Still that's probably the one sole hard thing about being an ER tech compared to the foors. In every other way I find it easier.

When that patient is in cardiac arrest with no BP and getting blood is impossible.

Though, in the ER that is usually when we go for a central line or IO, but you usually have to try the IV first. That is frustrating.

I'm not saying being an ER tech is harder than being a floor tech, but it definitely isn't easier. It is difficult and frustrating in different ways.

rnstudent/pct · Feb 22, 2015

I feel really bad for your situation. Not all hospitals are like this. Although, even in a hospital, each floor is different. Thankfully, I work on a floor where the nurses and techs get along great and work as a team. Wherever you go you are going to be taking instructions from a nurse. I get sick of hearing fellow techs complaining of nurses "talking down to them." A lot of times I have found that techs just don't like being someone's assistant. You are there for the patient but your job is to asssist the nurses. That does not make the nurses lazy. A lot of times when they are sitting at the station they are doing charting. I would also add to some of the techs complaining on here that you can be assured, your job is not as stressful as a nurses. I work on a medsurg floor and our nurses work their butts off. When a nurse ask me to do something I don't ask questions. I do it as long as it's within my scope of practice as a tech. That said, a nurse should never yell at you. I've had nurses get snappy with me, but oh well, I brush it off because healthcare is stressful and sometimes nurses get stressed out. But if they are continually yelling at you and really treating you like trash then find another place to work Or go to another floor. I promise not all techs have this experience. Hope it gets better for you. One day when I am a nurse I will ask the techs to do a lot of things. Not because I am lazy but because I will more than likely be extremely busy. However, I don't think I would ever treat a tech like trash. I could see how that would come back to hurt pretty bad. Techs are important.

Guest1030824 · May 7, 2020

As a nurse, I’ve been treated like crap from pcts. It happens both ways☹️ I literally have to beg for help.

Shauntil07, LVN · May 11, 2020

I've read many of the posts here and I agree with many of their perspectives. I've been a PCT since 2011 and I've worked with the best of the best and the worst of the worst nurses. You always tend to have that one or two that just seems to get on your nerves, pick on your, always seems to have a problem with JUST YOU-yes there are some like that, unfortunately, however you can change your situation. One person said to talk to them directly-I have done this and in most cases it worked as sometimes, you need a reminder to shape up. We're all human. If you address it with them and the problem still seems to occur its time to talk to your manager about it. If that doesn't work, you can always switch floors or another job completely. I worked a few floors where I felt I wasn't appreciated or didn't like the patient load and wanted something different. I currently work in mother/baby and I love it! I am also going back to school for nursing as I was accepted into a program recently so I figured while I'm young, let me make a change now so I don't regret it later. So, there are definitely a few options that you have that can make your future a little brighter. Hope these posts will be helpful for you!

Shawnna Bennett · Aug 17, 2024

Laurie52 said:

Asking a CNA to do something is not being rude. If I do everything myself, then there is really no reason for you to be working.

Excuse you?? Seriously it's nurses like you is the reason why there are no techs and people don't want to be nurses. RESPECT goes a long way. Asking a tech to do something respectfully and she is busy with something else and let's you know then DO IT YOURSELF. I don't know why nurses think that just because you have a nursing license means your above doing the essentials of nursing. If the technician is not busy and can do the task that is asked then it will be done. That's how it goes.