Never been this intimidated!

Sun0408, ASN, RN · Mar 17, 2016

You're not gonna die!! And please stop comparing yourself to the others, you will be fine. Ask questions, be a team player and you will be fine. You will have your ups and downs, this is new to you. Remember that as you grow and learn

funtimes · Mar 19, 2016

If you already have experience in home health care you probably have more practical experience than the majority of the nursing students you'll be working with. From what I've seen Nursing school clinicals just gives people a tiny exposure to a techs job, and so they aren't likely to be ahead of you much, if at all, unless they have actual work experience.

Ive come across graduate nurses and new RNs who've never cathed anyone, never started an IV or drew labs, never suctioned a trach, never done a 12 lead, etc and have never experienced the level of multitasking and time management you'll have to do as a tech. So the nursing students wont have any real advantage. They'll just be more familiar with things like writing care plans and understanding lab values, and other things largely irrelevant to being a tech.

The fact they hired so many inexperienced nursing students probably means they are willing to work with and teach new techs.

Id be more worried if all your fellow orientees were experienced CNAs and techs who've already had years on the job, because that would mean they expect techs to be ready to go from day one.

RBancroft · Mar 19, 2016

If you already have experience in home health care you probably have more practical experience than the majority of the nursing students you'll be working with. From what I've seen Nursing school clinicals just gives people a tiny exposure to a techs job, and so they aren't likely to be ahead of you much, if at all, unless they have actual work experience.
Ive come across graduate nurses and new RNs who've never cathed anyone, never started an IV or drew labs, never suctioned a trach, never done a 12 lead, etc and have never experienced the level of multitasking and time management you'll have to do as a tech. So the nursing students wont have any real advantage. They'll just be more familiar with things like writing care plans and understanding lab values, and other things largely irrelevant to being a tech.
The fact they hired so many inexperienced nursing students probably means they are willing to work with and teach new techs.
Id be more worried if all your fellow orientees were experienced CNAs and techs who've already had years on the job, because that would mean they expect techs to be ready to go from day one.

That's a great point :)

I think it was just first day nerves. I just finished my second shift and I feel REALLY good about it now :) :) :)

Everyone on my floor is super nice and helpful and has really good teamwork. Learning a lot!! (And fast!! Lol!)

OneDayAtATime93 · Mar 30, 2017

You'll be fine! I was a fresh-faced 18y/o when I started my first PCT job on a med/surg unit. To be honest, being a PCT isn't too hard mentally, but it can be hard physically (obese patients, total care patients, etc...). Its all ADLs and tasking, and the RN/other PCTs are always there to help you or explain things. But it is awesome you're doing this. You're going to learn so much! I wouldn't trade those years for anything because it gave me such a good foundation for nursing school. Just remember: being a PCT is not your end goal. It is temporary!

Best of luck!

OliveOyl91, BSN, RN · Apr 6, 2017

I felt the same way when I first started, but remember there may be PCTs and CNAs who are farther along in school than you are and may things you don't, but you're all working under the same scope of practice. Soon you'll be where they're at and you'll have new hires looking up at you in awe. :)