PCA with no Training/Experience

[D.C.Guy]

Hey guys,

First of all I'm glad I found this forum because It's really rich in topics and information.

I just got hired by a hospital for a PCA "Patient Care Assistant" position and I'm starting in two weeks. I never got any kind of PCA/CNA training or experience. All I know is how to take the vital signs, and customer service skills. I also studied medicine in my home country, so I know alot in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, histology, pathology, parasitology, pharmacology etc...

But I have no clue what I'm gonna do and/or if I'm gonna be successful at it?? What do you guys think? I'm really worried that I'm gonna fail and they are gonna kick me out of the hospital.

How can I be a great PCA? is there any courses that I can take to enhance my career? I'm going to nursing school next year, hopefully.

Thank you

[D.C.Guy]

Thank you all for your posts. I will be a PCA only while I'm in nursing school. I'm not really interested in being a PCA for a long time, I only want to get some training and experience from nurses and see what they do at work everyday. I hope this is going to make me a better nurse in the future. That is it for being a PCA for me. I think it's a good learning experience for me.

Also, I think being a PCA/CNA is a good start to work in the healthcare field and to see if you really like it.

I still have a question, Should I try to get certified as a CNA or I should just focus in my nursing school to be an RN? the hosptal is going to give me the training and the experience to be a CNA/PCA, but should I still pursue the certificate? is it worth it to get certified?

Thanks.

[csason]

Thank you all for your posts. I will be a PCA only while I'm in nursing school. I'm not really interested in being a PCA for a long time, I only want to get some training and experience from nurses and see what they do at work everyday. I hope this is going to make me a better nurse in the future. That is it for being a PCA for me. I think it's a good learning experience for me.

Also, I think being a PCA/CNA is a good start to work in the healthcare field and to see if you really like it.

I still have a question, Should I try to get certified as a CNA or I should just focus in my nursing school to be an RN? the hosptal is going to give me the training and the experience to be a CNA/PCA, but should I still pursue the certificate? is it worth it to get certified?

Thanks.

I automatically qualified as a CNA by my the time we had made it to clinical. We were given the test and rec'd our certificates soon after.

Even if your school does not do that, I am sure by the time you have

gotten through the first stage you could pass the test.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I keep hearing about PCA certification, but don't know about it for sure. Is there? And if so, is it national, as the CNA?

In terms of learning EKGs, particularly for CNAs/PCAs, I don't think it involves learning each and every rhythm, but they may teach you the most dangerous ones that need to be taken to the doctor ASAP. However, no one should tell the patient what the results are, that is up to the physician to interpet, diagnose and relay to the patient. I remember once, I saw a rhythm that indicated the possiblity of a heart attack. I kept a poker face to the patient, but as soon as I got out of the exam room, I literally ran to the doctor and told her. She, then went to the patient, evaluated her and told me to arrange for him to be sent to the ER pronto! Had I told the patient, she would have been even more afraid, and the bottom line is that the physician knows more than me.

I would call the BON in your state to ask if PCAs are certified. If they are, then, yes, I would pursue it, if it can be done in a timely fashion not to interfere with nursing school. If not, then, I would certainly take a CNA course with additional training in phlebotomy and EKG, because you would be certified as a CNA. Where some hospitals may require CNA cerfitication to hire you as a PCA, they do not recertify you every two years, only nursing homes will do that if you work for them for 7 hours. I always felt it was unfair for hospital CNAs not to be recertified through their hospitals...they have to retake the CNA exam again (at least in my state). I was told I had to do that when my certification expired. Since then, I became an LPN, but I still wish they helped the CNAs more with that.

There are so many titles that varied from the CNA that included additional skills. Our hospital, at one time, trained CNAs to become MSTs (med-surg techs). This, for them, included doing sterile dressings, glucose checks and a few other things in addition to bedside care, but it didn't include EKGs or phlebotomy.

I say to get all that you can, because for one, it may take time to get accepted into a nursing program, and also, you may want to heighten your chances to get a flexible position that will accomodate your nursing school schedule. The more you have under your belt, the better. EKGs are a plus, because that would come up, especially in an RN program. Good luck!

[D.C.Guy]

I keep hearing about PCA certification, but don't know about it for sure. Is there? And if so, is it national, as the CNA?

I don't think there is a certificate for PCAs, there is only a certificate for CNAs. And that is what I'm trying to get.

Can I get my CNA certificate by self-studying or online videos?

Can I just go ahead and take the CNA exam without taking a CNA course?

Thanks

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I don't think there is a certificate for PCAs, there is only a certificate for CNAs. And that is what I'm trying to get.

Can I get my CNA certificate by self-studying or online videos?

Can I just go ahead and take the CNA exam without taking a CNA course?

Thanks

I don't think so, because there is a skills portion as well as a written. I believe it is better to be able to witness the skills live in class, and be allowed to practice afterwards. I am sure there are many that can self teach, however, most are hands on learners. And, there is no way that you can take the CNA exam without completing an approved CNA course that I know of.

I do believe that after sitting for class the self study and on line videos would be a great help, but you have to remember-these are the fundamental skills of basic bedside care. Most people need to be able to see what that will be. The skills portion of the test will be a proctor choosing 5 out of at least 30 some odd skills learned (it can be anything from oral care, applying restraints, disposing of contaminated articles, or gowning to go into an isolation room to many other skills) and then, (at least in my state, ONLY after passing the skills portion, can you then sit for the written portion of the exam). You have to pass both to gain the certification.

[D.C.Guy]

Hey guys,

Today was my first day as a PCA. I can't describe what happened to me or what I felt about it. It was simply the most disgusting thing I've ever seen in my life. The nastiest thing ever. OMG, I don't know what to do now.

I read the job description before but I didn't really fully understand that I will be literally wiping people's behinds. I work in a Medical renal unit, and almost all patients are very super obese " like 250 lbs and up".

I didn't like the fact that all patients were so old that many of them can't talk or move. They smell really bad, and I didn't like seeing their private areas. I was about to throw up, and now I can't eat. Jeeze, do I have to do that stuff If I wanna be a nurse? I'm really considering changing my goals instead of nursing into something else, like radiography.

Please help me. This is my first job in the healthcare field.

[RN2B123]

Well your obviously not cut out for health care and your most likely going to be flamed by everyone on here for the words you used to describe your day....its all part of nursing care. You said you had "medical experience" in your home country, I am sure you would have dealt with patients before!

Hey guys,

Today was my first day as a PCA. I can't describe what happened to me or what I felt about it. It was simply the most disgusting thing I've ever seen in my life. The nastiest thing ever. OMG, I don't know what to do now.

I read the job description before but I didn't really fully understand that I will be literally wiping people's behinds. I work in a Medical renal unit, and almost all patients are very super obese " like 250 lbs and up".

I didn't like the fact that all patients were so old that many of them can't talk or move. They smell really bad, and I didn't like seeing their private areas. I was about to throw up, and now I can't eat. Jeeze, do I have to do that stuff If I wanna be a nurse? I'm really considering changing my goals instead of nursing into something else, like radiography.

Please help me. This is my first job in the healthcare field.

[D.C.Guy]

Well your obviously not cut out for health care and your most likely going to be flamed by everyone on here for the words you used to describe your day....its all part of nursing care. You said you had "medical experience" in your home country, I am sure you would have dealt with patients before!

I only said I was a medical student. I didn't deal with that kind of patients before. Also, I just woke up and I have a great tendency to throw up from what I saw today. Jesus Christ, why in the world would anybody want to do that for a living? can people have a normal life while working as a CNA?

I'm so in trouble.

I'm not sure if I should just quit the job or hang on?

Feedback is greatly appreciated.

[MichaelCNA]

Hello,

I've not yet worked as a CNA, as I do not begin training until October 6th. I would like to offer my personal insight, however.

Remember that as a Nursing Assistant, you are providing basic care. In addition to this, and the most important, I feel, is upholding the basic dignity of each person you assist. Understand that while you may have felt uncomfortable performing pericare, remember how they must feel in that position.

The definition of a "normal day" for a CNA will include the duties you described in your post.

If you feel you are not capable of offering assistance in the most professional and caring manner, the patient will likely become uncomfortable while you provide care to them, and that will create additional problems for you.

A certain degree of selflessness is required to perform the tasks of a CNA. While incentives (benefits, tuition reimbursement, training) are valuable, so are the lives of those you tend to. Don't lose sight of your purpose.

I suggest you give it a few more days/weeks.

Best Regards,

Mike

[renee_cal]

ill be starting a PCA position in a couple of weeks. Yes nurses wipe tushes too so if u cant deal with as a cna then yeah maybe u should look into something else.

I have kids a 7 & 19month old so im used to wiping privates just think about u having a family member in need of care maybe that will help!

[D.C.Guy]

Thank you guys for the feedback.

I've been thinking for the last couple hours about what I should do. And I decided that I will give it a try. Maybe I will just get used to it, and, in the future, it may be easy to do.

Today made me reconsider going to nursing school. I will stay in this job and see if I can like it, or at least do it without disgust. I know some of you may think that this is selfish.

I'm considering becoming a radiological tech. At least I won't be having to deal with patient on that level of care as CNAs do.

Wish me good luck.

Thanks

[mid2348]

I'm a PCT in CT and here it was an 8 month diploma course. Although just being a CNA would have been enough to find emplyment in the hospital. The hospital does train CNA's for phlebotomy and EKG's. I do think it helped as far as getting the job since I already had the training. I also went back to school to become a certified phlebotomist. This gives me the opportunity to work in a lab, but for now I'm happy as a PCT (PCA at our hospital) because I like abuse jk! lol!:chuckle I work in CCU/TELE and I love being able to make a difference for the patients. I don't think it would be the same just floating to the floors to draw blood, although it might be more:twocents: but hey money isn't everything lol. We draw our own patients in my area so you still get the practice for phlebotomy cert. Good luck to you:wink2: