Oakland University PCT and CNA questions

[fairydogmother]

Greetings all -- I'm a future nurse in the making. I already have a bachelor's degree, so I'm going to pursue the accelerated degree BSN through OU. But right now, I need to sharpen my math/science stills and get my pre-nursing classes out of the way.

So, I've been thinking it would be a good idea to start my career by becoming a certified patient care technician or certified nurse's assistant.

If I'm understanding correctly, the PCT program is a 312 hour program that costs $3500 whereas the CNA program is 110 hours and costs around $1400. (Not including books, uniforms, supplies, etc.)

My gut tells me that the PCT program is better as it seems to offer more in the way of opportunities since the description states that after the program, you are qualified to test for national certification as a Patient Care Technician, Phlebotomist, Certified Nursing Assistant and EKG technician. And the CNA program is just that.

Does anyone have any experience or inside info? Is one better than the other in the real world? I'm not sure how being a PCT vs. CNA translates into real world job opportunities and salaries. I just want to make sure the PCT is actually worth the extra money and time!

Thanks, in advance, folks!

Oops! I apologize, I should have put this in the Michigan Nursing Programs Discussion. :smackingf

[CorazonDeOro]

I wouldn't even bother with the classes. Some places will hire you as an NA or PCT once you are in the nursing program or before you even start. I was hired as an NA after my first year of nursing school was done and I did not pay for a CNA class. This was true for some of my friends who became PCTs before we even started nursing classes.