No experience or certifications and just got hired as a Nurse Tech in PCU

Cat365 · Oct 13, 2016

Your job duties likely depend on the hospital and since they hired you knowing you haven't even started nursing classes they plan on training you.

If you want to get a head start look for ati basic skills. How to empty a folley, how to change a bed with the patient in it, how to transfer a patient, if you know what type of patients the hall gets get a basic understanding of the disease/issues those patients will have. Learn basic medical abbreviations like ACHS and Q6. Learn normal vital signs. This can all help you if you have no medical knowledge.

They should teach each you what you need to know though. The most important thing is to be eager to help and learn. Admit when you don't know something and ask to be shown how to do it.

Dont cringe away from dirty jobs.

Get a good understanding of what you are supposed to do and just as importantly what you are not allowed to do. It can vary from facility to facility and even floor to floor.

Dont tell someone I can't do that. Say Sorry I'm not allowed to do that, I don't know how can you show me so next time I will know, help out others when you have time, ask for help when you need it.

Most of all stay busy, be energetic, polite, and helpful. Look like you are enjoying yourself. Even if you are not. Don't carry outside baggage to work, don't carry your phone or God forbid text on it at work. Even if other employees do.

ps when looking at skills most places you can remove things but not start them. Ex don't worry about how to put in a foley or an iv but know the proper way to take them out.

MochaFiend · Oct 13, 2016

Congratulations!! It's okay to be scared. The most important thing is to be open to learning new things within your scope of practice as a Nurse Tech. No matter how bad of a day you are having, or how nervous you are, you ARE IMPORTANT.

As a "nurse tech", Patient Care Tech, CNA... You will have the same tasks and responsibilities as those with training. I assume that there is a training program for PCT at the hospital? I had a few weeks of training for PCT at the hospital I worked at after my enlistment, even with patient care experience.

*Wear comfortable shoes, I'm a fan of Asics and New Balance.

*Don't carry your phone, leave it in your locker.

*Carry a couple of pens with you, black is best and have spares in your locker (to jot down patient assignments, notes i.e. glucose checks)

You will learn how to remove a foley catheter and an iv. You may also, depending on your facility, be trained to draw blood. In that case, get familiar with order of draw: Here;s a website to order a neat cheat sheet that you can wear on your badge reel: Order of Draw Badges or on Amazon. It would not hurt to take a sheet of printer paper or a notebook sheet, fold it into fours and stick that in your pocket for patient assignment notes, things to help when doing turn over. I worked as a PCT in MICU and for some odd reason, we did not meet with on coming or off going techs to go over patient assignments when compared to my experience as a tech in Med Surg... Weird, I know. I floated to PCU a couple of times, but I do not recall the process or experiences on PCU.

Be available on the floor! Don't hide out in the break room, restroom, or off the unit.. Yes, techs do this - they get fired.

Upon the start of your shift, introduce yourself to the nurses caring for the patients that you are assigned. This is something you may want to do.... ASAP, but be mindful. The nurses need to know who you are, but they also spend a fair amount of time getting report and assessing their patients. Some have to travel with their patients asap, so be available and ask your nurse and patient (s) if they need anything. The nurse may be so busy, he or she will be thankful for your initiative because there is always something to be done or someone who needs something. The same goes for your patients.

This is not a glamorous job. There will be bed baths, your will be cleaning or assist in cleaning patients and positioning patients. You might have to take out the trash from your patient rooms. No patient, family, member, nurse, or doctor wants to walk into their love one's/patient's room to have trash over flowing. ALWAYS wear glove. ALWAYS wash your hands. It would not hurt to have an extra set of scrubs in your locker. I've been puked on...

Drink a lot of water, coffee is my vice - but stay hydrated! If you work nights, the cafeteria is not open. Have snacks in the locker : meal bars, fruit, nuts, something fast. Gum :) Chapstick... Hair ties if your hair is long!! Tylenol, tums, motrin... Have those in your bag or locker. Get a lunch bag and bring food from home because the cafeteria isn't cheap and not always great.

I can't think of anything else.... I'm sorry that this is so long, but it will help you!

MochaFiend · Oct 14, 2016

Oh, one more thing. Don't wear perfumes or scented lotion. That's a no-no in the hospital and in patient care in general due to allergies, etc.

PowerliftingLady · Oct 19, 2016

I was actually wondering if this is even possible! I am hoping to start a second degree BSN program in a little over a year for now rather than starting a PrivateSchool in January. I really want to get my foot in the door so to speak but I have no formal nursing education. I had thought you had to be a student and in clinicals to work as a nurse tech only in the areas that you have been trained in in clinicals. Boy am I glad to learn I was wrong!

Can you give any advise on how you applied for the position? Did you just find listings that said no certification was required? How did you modify your resume to shine without having hands on experience in school or a nurses aid class?