Newbie Pct/cna Help!!!

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 3, 2005

Hey All,
I really need ur advice...after months of trying to get a PCT/CNA job I have finally landed one at a local hospital...I start on 8/15 and I am getting nervous...i have never worked in healthcare before and I am a begining to freak out:uhoh3: i know I will only be a PCT but i need some advice on what to do in order to be a good tech!! Please help tell me what your idea of a good tech is...
thx
coco

Congratulations in landing the job. Best wishes to you my friend. I'm not a nurse so I can't advice you but someone will stroll around soon. :)

MIA-RN1, RN · Aug 3, 2005

"Only a PCT"??!!?? :) You will be an important part of the health care team, don't knock yourself down!

I started as an ER tech a couple weeks ago, and I LOVE it. I have a great tech preceptor, and the training period goes on for several weeks. Hopefully your hospital will have a program like that too. If not, find someone with experience and watch what they do and learn from them.

Right now I am on a great learning curve and just trying to remember everything I am learning about emergency room medicine/nursing...but I think that one of my main duties as a tech is to anticipate patient needs within my scope. Does that one look cold, I'll get a blanket. That one is coming in w/ chest pain, I'll do an EKG. That one looks weird, better grab a nurse. That sort of thing

I don't know what kind of tech position you have, or what your duties will be. There is a variation where I work, a difference between the floor techs and the ER techs in terms of job duties.

I find that the nurses rely on me to get as many preliminaries done as possible--undress patient, EKG if indicated, set up on monitor, stuff like that. Also, I help pts get to the bathroom or bring them the commode, get them water or food as indicated, get urine/blood samples, pillows, blankets etc.

Work with the nurses, and go in with the understanding that while they delegate and that you ultimately answer to the nurses, you are all also part of the same team. You are there to assist and help them for the betterment of your patients.

Then, relax and realize that they would not have hired you if you couldn't do the job and go have fun. I have met tons of really nice people and had the chance to be there, hold hands, and help people. That's my goal.

L&Dnurse2Be · Aug 3, 2005

Hey All,
I really need ur advice...after months of trying to get a PCT/CNA job I have finally landed one at a local hospital...I start on 8/15 and I am getting nervous...i have never worked in healthcare before and I am a begining to freak out:uhoh3: i know I will only be a PCT but i need some advice on what to do in order to be a good tech!! Please help tell me what your idea of a good tech is...
thx
coco

My best advice is to take the best care of your patients that you can. Go in with a good attitude and you will receive the same from co workers. It will be hard work, but it is well worth it!

Cococure · Aug 3, 2005

Thanx for ur relies... I will be working the 11pm-7am shift that way i can do classes in the day/evening... i am working on the pulmonary floor lots of respiratory issues...i just hope i have a good preceptor cuz training can mak a huge diff. in confidence level...i think my training period is about 3-4wks but longer if i need it:) ...an yes i will try to relax and breath and take it one day at a time and not thing of myself as "only a PCT"

thx a million guys

Coco aka nursing hopeful:p

MissJoRN, RN · Aug 4, 2005

Congrats on the job!

i know I will only be a PCT

OK, I know it was said already but- :nono: A good aide is a vital team member! Don't forget that (esp when you're an RN) I was lucky to usually have good aides (and some great ones!) on my floor when I worked as a floor (peds) nurse. On a night shift a good aide become even more indispensable- esp when it was often just the two of us.

My best aides:

-were interested...they asked questions and learned all the time (just like a good RN or MD) sometimes it was "aide level" sometimes "RN level" either way it was great. (and how many times did we look up answers together!)

-didn't sigh when I asked them to do something...but I was careful to always do my share...yes that includes vital signs and diaper changes

-started preparing for an admission before I even got off the phone with the operator, by the time my kid would come the aide had gotten out admission papers, scale, VS equipment, monitors if needed, etc. I then had time to take report and set up my IV bags, labwork, etc.

-communicated with me early on about expections like if it's OK for them to silence an IV pump (yes, but tell me right away which pump, what type of alarm)

-told me right away about VS changes (and no insults intended- if you're on this board I'm sure you have more sense and responsibility- a good aide never makes up numbers!)

-hmm...there are more, but this gives you an idea...I guess it all comes down to be a self starter, have a good attitude (yeah, we all get our cranky days!), be observant, and be open to learning

You will find aides and nurses who slop through their jobs...try not to fall into their trap, even though it looks so fun and comfy!

You know you'll be on a resp unit- sounds interesting!

So are you reading a little online about COPD, emphysema, asthma? Just a little so you don't feel overwhelmed. I don't want you to try to memorize anything!!! Just skim a little?

You'll have pts on O2, right? You'll learn that more is not always better.

You'll be taking pulse ox readings with your vitals- don't forget to note if they were on O2 when you take it, same for resp rate and HR- that can change if the pt needs more O2. Don't forget not every nasal cannula is "turned on" some pts just seem to like wearing them no matter what :rolleyes:

:uhoh21: I better stop before I worry you, that's not my intention...you'll evolve overtime. You're here though, not afraid to ask questions...off to a great start! We'll always be here for you, along with your better co-workers!