My story and some questions from a confused older student

U.S.A. Arizona

Published

Hello all! I've been habitually reading this site for the last month, and I've now decided to sign up and begin my story here on Allnurses, in hopes that one day I will be posting advice to prospective nurses.

A little about me: I am a 30 year old guy from Phoenix, Arizona; still in college due to my lack of the ability to make up my mind what I want to do. In '07 I began my pre-reqs for nursing, which I finished, along with my co-reqs, before deciding to try elementary education. I received my associates degree in the arts along with an AGEC (General education curriculum) certificate about a year ago, and thought I was on the path to where I wanted to be, but there was always something missing. I found the missing link when bringing my fiance to the ER one night for stomach issues. I realized every time I step into a hospital, or doctors office I am immediately overcome with feelings of anxiety due to my choices of career, almost as if something was telling me I needed to pursue the medical field. My change of heart came when our RN was administering care to my fiance, and the way in which he consoled both of us, and carried out his duties with a sense of urgency, and empathy, regardless of what else may be going on in his busy day. The caring that man showed us brought a new paradigm with it, and completely changed my mind. THIS is what I was meant to do, to heal people both emotionally and physically.

Since that time, I have gone full-steam ahead, finishing my chemistry credit this summer, and now preparing for the HESI. The only thing that stands in my way is that BRUTAL wait list, which I'd like to find things to do inbetween. My questions are more or less involving time management:

1. I am planning to continue pursuing my Bachelor of Arts for Fall 2013, and Spring 2014. During this fall, on top of having a full 12+ credit hour course load at ASU I plan to complete the CNA program at either EVIT or AMTI (Formerly RSAA). What is the career outlook like for someone in full time school trying to find a part time CNA gig fresh out of class??

2. After this year, I would love to turn my attention fully towards nursing, and maybe enroll in the EVIT LPN program, or maybe gateway if there isn't a wait list. From what my nursing advisor tells me at Mesa Community College, LPN classes are practically worthless and a waste of money and time because "I'll never find a job as an LPN, the ones working are grandfathered in even in LTC." These are her words verbatim....How true is this? I would LOVE to continue to improve my nursing credentials while on the wait list and this is an attractive option, but why bother if there's no chance of using an LPN cert? Is this really how it is? Is it a waste of time? EVIT is 8k for LPN give or take, and that is a chunk of change for an undergrad with no career backing.

3. Another option would be PCT, which seems to be around 1800$ through Phoenix college. Is this a supposed dead end just like LPN is?

What I would like to do is finish CNA, my last semester of ASU for arts, and then either pursue LPN or PCT. I do understand the job market, and I am willing to put myself out there, fully expect 100 resume denials, and am ready to keep trying. What I am looking for is maybe some success stories or a pat on the back saying it is possible for the motivated person.

4. After this Spring 2014, I will have an AA, and also a BA in history. Do potential employers value a diverse academic background? Will my two other degrees make me more desireable to a potential employer in the medical field???

5. Final question, again I do apologize for the length of this post: I am nearing the end of my student aid funds, and I'm CERTAIN nursing is what I'm meant to do, so with this considered should I abandon history and save those funds for RN-BSN program? How difficult would it be for a new grad with CNA experience to find ANY RN position somewhere with an ADN and hopefully pay for the BSN program? My fears are that I will discontinue my educational background, obtain my RN with no aid left, and be jobless with no way to continue my education!

So my plan boils down to this:

1. At least one more semester at ASU for Education/history, while doing a weekend CNA class.

2. Begin work as a CNA part time, and continue through spring 14 at ASU.

3. Apply to EVIT or Gateway LPN program, hopefully begin Fall 15. Or begin PCT training, which is my best bet?

4. Work as an LPN/PCT until around Fall 2016 when I should be pulled into RN school.

5. Finish ADN program, get RN job, begin working towards BSN.

6. Obtain BSN, work for at least two years, and begin towards MSN in hopes that my old brain can carry me over one last obstacle to become a nurse practitioner, although I'd be satisfied with myself for simply being a career RN.

Any thoughts about my plans, suggestions, insight into the world of LPN or PCT and how to go about it are much welcome. Or, simply just say hello!

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

Around here, CNA & PCT are pretty much the same thing. Yes, experience as one will give you an employment adage as an RN, especially if you are in the hospital.

LPN may be employable in some geographic areas, but opportunities are decreasing.

When I review resumes, I do value education, but if finances are that critical, I'd suggest focusing on financing your nursing education. If youre on a wait list, maybe use that time to take courses you'll need towards the BSN, or using that extra time to earn some extra cash, maybe also experience as a CNA/PCT

Don't forget some hospitals offer tuition reimbursement after a year tha can help finance your RN or RN->BSN

Borrow as little as possible

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Thanks very much for your input! I am glad to see that my current educational background won't go to waste. I felt it might help at least somewhat given that it makes one appear diverse I guess. I am leaning towards postponing the bachelor of arts in favor of stacking cash working full time as a CNA, but if its possible becoming an LPN or PCT would be better. From what I understand PCT here in Az is one step above a CNA with more responsibilities and it's an add on type thing, Phoenix college offers it or hospitals train for free should I be lucky enough to get hired at one after CNA training this fall.

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If you get your CNA and you have good grades, you might consider Central Arizona College for your RN. They do not have a wait list, they admit based on grades, etc. It's in Coolidge, which is not that far south of Chandler.

Central Arizona College - Nursing Program Frequently Asked Questions

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From what I understand, the pct class is useless. To work as a cna in a hospital (which is typically advertised as a pct position) you will see you just need your cna license from a state approved school. Just look up available pct positions at Banner Health, for instance, you will see that having a cna license is what is required--not a pct license. Hospitals call their cna's pct's. In fact, I have spoken to students in the cna course that I took at star canyon in central Phoenix... The students said they could not get hired as pct's after taking a pct class. They had to go back and get cna license! Check out star canyon. Great program for cna. They had highest pass rate last couple years in AZ! I loved the small class size and very hands on instruction.

Once I get around to taking my cna certification test, I hope to be able to get a hospital pct position to work part time while in school. So, like you, I am curious to know what the market is for that. I don't know if it will help get RN job, but I figure it can't hurt and the extra cash will be nice.

I did some research a couple years ago and it seems most hospitals will require you to work full time for at least 6 months before reimbursing school tuition, and then require you to continue working full time while in school (which will not work for me while pursuing BSN - but likely more doable in a bridge RN to BSN program but it seems leas employers are hiring RN with ADN so you may be forced to work in some other capacity while getting BSN) but maybe there are other hospitals out there that don't require you to work full time.

I am curious why you don't check out ASU's nursing program. No wait list like there is at the community colleges in Maricopa county. Plus, you can get a BSN in two years (or even 1 year) since you already have BA. Both programs are competitive and heavily based on Teas results and prerequisite GPA.

Good luck!

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AzIrish: That's definitely an idea. I plan to get my CNA this fall, and afterwards I will be taking anat 201/202 again since its been 4+years since I've had either. I will certainly try my best to raise those grades to an A in hopes that I might be competitive enough to get in at CAC.

MacMaster: I don't have my BA yet, I'm close, but thinking of postponing it to save financial assitance for my BSN which is probably a better move. Thanks so much for expanding on the CNA/PCT thing for me, I might have wasted 1800 extra dollars on a pointless endeavor! Here's to hoping we both have a smooth transition into healthcare on both the CNA and RN side. Best of luck to you as well!

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I would also look into the CEP programs the Maricopa Community Colleges are offering now. It's an ADN-BSN program in one. Moves you up the list. ASU also has a post-Bach program that's 1 year but kind of expensive. Also, many of the major hospitals in the valley are not or will soon not be hiring ADN nurses. Just something else to think about. LPNs have been phased out by most hospitals as well and primarily work in LTC.

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I would get your CNA and try to network yourself a PCT job in a hospital, if at all possible. To land a job anywhere it takes networking and luck. If you are able to work as a PCT while attending school either at Maricopa or CAC you will have a higher chance of getting a RN job once you graduate with your ADN. I would then apply to NAU and get a RN-BSN online while still in your ADN program which may give you a slight edge against other ADN new grads.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Get your BSN if you can. Way too many community college grads with associates, they will have a very difficult time getting a job until there is actually a shortage of nurses again. There is not nursing shortage right now, and hospitals do not want associate degrees. I doubt any school will own up to this...

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma.
From what I understand, the pct class is useless. To work as a cna in a hospital (which is typically advertised as a pct position) you will see you just need your cna license from a state approved school. Just look up available pct positions at Banner Health, for instance, you will see that having a cna license is what is required--not a pct license. Hospitals call their cna's pct's. In fact, I have spoken to students in the cna course that I took at star canyon in central Phoenix... The students said they could not get hired as pct's after taking a pct class. They had to go back and get cna license! Check out star canyon. Great program for cna. They had highest pass rate last couple years in AZ! I loved the small class size and very hands on instruction.

Once I get around to taking my cna certification test, I hope to be able to get a hospital pct position to work part time while in school. So, like you, I am curious to know what the market is for that. I don't know if it will help get RN job, but I figure it can't hurt and the extra cash will be nice.

I did some research a couple years ago and it seems most hospitals will require you to work full time for at least 6 months before reimbursing school tuition, and then require you to continue working full time while in school (which will not work for me while pursuing BSN - but likely more doable in a bridge RN to BSN program but it seems leas employers are hiring RN with ADN so you may be forced to work in some other capacity while getting BSN) but maybe there are other hospitals out there that don't require you to work full time.

I am curious why you don't check out ASU's nursing program. No wait list like there is at the community colleges in Maricopa county. Plus, you can get a BSN in two years (or even 1 year) since you already have BA. Both programs are competitive and heavily based on Teas results and prerequisite GPA.

Good luck!

I work for Banner and this is not the case- we use CNAs on the unit. CNAs take vitals, do bed baths, etc. We use PCTs in the ED. They start IVs, insert foleys, draw blood, etc. Our CNAs and PCTs are not interchangeable.

You'll have a avery hard time getting a job with just an ADN. I had almost 400 applications out before I did, and that was almost 2 years ago. The only reason I was hired was because I enrolled in a RN-BSN program. Go straight for your BSN- it's the same amount of time and you'll have a job sooner.

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I work for Banner and this is not the case- we use CNAs on the unit. CNAs take vitals, do bed baths, etc. We use PCTs in the ED. They start IVs, insert foleys, draw blood, etc. Our CNAs and PCTs are not interchangeable.

You'll have a avery hard time getting a job with just an ADN. I had almost 400 applications out before I did, and that was almost 2 years ago. The only reason I was hired was because I enrolled in a RN-BSN program. Go straight for your BSN- it's the same amount of time and you'll have a job sooner.

Fromthe sea---I want to make sure we are on the same page. You, of course are in the trenches, I am not...but I think there is a misunderstanding. I agree with you that there is a difference between PCT's and CNA's (and that PCT's are a higher level position)...my point was that from my run-ins with other students is that the PCT class in and of itself is not enough and is not a stand alone credential...I always understood you first need your CNA license to get a PCT job, and that the extra PCT credentials come after you get the initial CNA license...which could then be obtained through a community college class, but is often provided by the hospital itself. Am I misinformed? Thanks!

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Well, just as an update: I jumped the last hurdle for the wait list today and got my HESI out of the way. I studied for about 2 hours last night and managed a 91.5% cumulative score, scoring nearly 100% in all English areas. 85% in math brought me down quite a bit, but I suck at math so that was to be expected. I also joined the CNA class at AMTI (formerly RSAA) for September 14th, and I'll be doing that concurrently with ASU this semester. Wish me luck! Things are rolling right along for now.

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