Published Oct 23, 2007
doggybour
37 Posts
Hi Nurses,
I am searching for a job in a hospital(not yet a Nurse) what can i apply for? I want to start my career early.... Please help.. thank you
Lilluv117
116 Posts
You can be a PCA (Patient Care Assistant) or a PCT (Patient Care Technician)... Some hospitals call them nurse extenders (St. Francis Hosp. in Roslyn, NY), and you could also do CNA (certified nurse assistant). If you don't want to do something as hands on, you could apply to be a unit secretary just to get the feel of a hospital and then work your way up... There's lots of things you could do. :) I recommend the PCA/PCT/nurse extender position at a hospital if you plan on going to nursing school - they deal with basic patient care which is what you will learn during the beginning of your nursing career. Plus, if they know you're in nursing school, the nurses usually will take the time to teach you more things.
Annegg
11 Posts
How do you qualify for a PCT/PCA and how does that differ from a CNA?
You just apply for the job at the hospital. They will train you and give you orientation. The only difference is that CNA is usually in a nursing home and PCA is in a hospital setting. It's pretty much very similar duties. A PCT is a little bit different because you get trained to put on EKG's and have to do a little bit more training - It's a little bit more technical instead of just patient care. I think PCT's are more common in the ER - I know South Nassau Communities Hospital hires them in the ER. Again, you just apply and the hospital trains you. I think you just need a HS diploma or GED. The criteria is sometimes on the hospital website. I think the North Shore Health System website has the criteria listed under the various employment ads. Let me know if you need more info but I would Google the various hospital websites and then look under "employment". Good luck! :)
Do you know of any hospitals in brooklyn or manhattan that def have them? also can it be a part time job? is it possible to work in peds? i'm in college now getting my b.s. (not in nursing) and i still have a while to go. thanks sooooo much.
I'm not sure but I think pretty much all hospitals have them. Just look up a hospital your interested in and check out their website or try calling human resources or the nurse recruiter. If you call the nurse recruiter tell her you're interested in nursing and you'd like a job as a PCA or whatever they call them at that particular hospital. They may be called something different but they usually always have staff that help the nurses out. I think they do have them in peds - they have them on almost every floor. I don't know if you can pick where you are placed though.
babbz
51 Posts
Don't forget this website where the job listings are updated regularly!!!!!
http://employment.nychhc.org/
LOOOVVVE this site for NYC hospital jobs!! Each posting lists the title and requirements for each job. Makes it so easy and again updated at least once a week!!