PCA's / Nurse Techs = Well Rounded R.N.'s

[iculvr]

PCA's/Nurse Techs = Well Rounded R.N.'s

Do you agree? or ? ? ?

I was a tech for four years prior to becoming a R.N. As a tech. (someone in the background looking in) I was able to pick up on characteristics of a R.N., good and bad; that essentially made my transition to becoming a R.N. seamless. Nurses/hospital staff respected me, some even looked up to me as a role model. I'm proud to say that I'm glad I decided to purse the tech role.

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

PCA experience can be valuable, but it really depends on the individual. Some PCAs continue to focus on meal trays and hygiene over more urgent tasks- even after graduating as nurses.

I never worked as a PCA, but I do think it would have been helpful to me, personally. One of the most difficult things about nursing school, for me, was approaching patients in a care-giver role. I felt nervous about things like taking off their socks to assess their feet and placing a stethoscope on their chest to assess their lungs.