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

[Hopeful76]

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.

Oh My! It really made you that sick were you felt like you were going to throw up and can't even eat? I would say if you are really interested in the medical field but don't like working directly with the patients then what about office work like unit secetary or something like a X-Ray Tech something were you could still work in the hospital but not taking care of them such as a CNA/PCT would be. Don't give up maybe you need to just give it some time work the next couple of weeks and see how it goes.:)

[GigiNYC]

Hi everyone, :uhoh21::typing

Dear DC Guy, nurses, techs, whatever you want to call us, wipe ass all the time, my son has decided to become a CNA, my first question to him was: Are you able to clean someone's butt" his reply "Its only S***, It is a normal body function;one that everyone does and I know it dont smell like roses, if it did, we will all be picking it up." He made me laugh but he knows it is not going to be easy.

About the elderly, they are the most beautiful people and mistreated. It will surprise you how many are so lonely. Dont forget you will be that age too.

[yousoldtheworld]

While nurses might not do quite as much buttwiping as CNAs, they still have to do it, and often. If you can't deal with taking care of people that way, definitely look into something less direct-care oriented.

[debatwork]

is it too much to ask which hospital? I guess it is. Could you at least tell us which borough. I am a nursing student. and I have been looking for about a year. I am about to lose my apartment if I don't find something.

[scrubs09]

Dc guy , I'm glad u figured this out now. Nursing... heck medicine is a calling, and no field is 100% exempt from what I call the gut check moments lol. Shoot I trained as a cvt cardiovascular ultrasound tech. And would bump in to lots of X-ray guys doing bedside or portables. U still see and smell... lots of unsettling things but u deal cause the patient needs care. It's been my experience the patient is not only aware but highly embarrassed. and lawd if u feel 250 is super morbidly obese just wait lol.

The point is. Medicine is not this neatly wrapped up thing, and yes some of us get it more than others but none of us are exempt. We all have a place In medicine I'm sure u will find yours.

Good luck