PCT Salaries in Orlando

Nashima · Nov 30, 2005

bump!

Anyone? :uhoh21:

flwannaB · Nov 30, 2005

I don't know about Orlando but here in St. Pete, it is difficult to get a job as a PCT without experience. I too received my CNA to work while I am going to LPN school. I have been unable to get a job in a hospital. CNA's start around 9.00-10.00 an hour. I have decided to not work while I am going to school because there is a lot of information to read and study in LPN school. Getting your CNA would be beneficial for your experience in patient care but I do believe that your CNA experience will not count towards opportunities as an LPN. Your job scope is different. One advantage though would be that you may find a facility that does tuition reimbursment. I hope I helped you some. Good luck with your decision.

Hi there!
I've read quite a few post where nursing students (or graduates) mentioned working as a PCT (Patient Care Tech aka CNA) at Fl Hospital or ORMC.
I will be starting a LPN program in January and am considering applying for a PCT position (after I obtain my CNA). Realistically, what kind of salaries/wages can a new PCT expect?
I have a great paying job now, but no medical experience whatsoever. I don't want that to count against me when I graduate as an LPN.
Any ideas/suggestions would be great!
Thanks! :)

Annabelle57 · Dec 4, 2005

At ORMC, they're called Advanced Clinical Techs, and for the hospital to hire you, you have to be either a nursing student with at least a semester of clinicals under your belt, an EMT, or a CNA with at least 6-12 months of experience. For brand-new CNA's, the advice given is to work at a retirement home for a year and then apply. They usually pay around 10-11 an hour, depending on your experience.

Cococure · Dec 5, 2005

Hey Nashima,

I am a PCT and I will be honest w/ you the salary is no where near great but the experience is priceless. When I was looking for a PCT/CNA job earlier this year w/ no healthcare experience I was told 8-10/hr at hospitals...but it is actually on the lower end. The nursing homes are the same i was told from $7-10 but was offered on the lower end due to lack of experience...ORMC will only hire tech w/ at least 1yr experience trust me i have tried several times...Fl Hosp. will start you at around 8.26/hr plus shift diff. Once you have finished your 1st semester of nursing school your pay will increase to between $10-$13/hr

If you can afford to to take a pay cut then do it...if not stay at your current job and pay your bills no need to sacrifice your expenses if you will learn it eventually....just my 2 cents:rolleyes:

good luck

Coco

HappyJaxRN · Dec 5, 2005

Up here in Jax, it's not that hard to get a job as a PCT without experience. Most hospitals will hire you and train you. Except my hospital. Of couse. :rolleyes: They want you to be enrolled in the 1st semester of nursing school and/or have at least 6 months experience as a CNA. The pay for PCT's up here is about $10 - $14/hr depending on where and when you work. I was a PCT before becoming an RN. Good luck.

brazuca · Dec 5, 2005

Hi there!
I've read quite a few post where nursing students (or graduates) mentioned working as a PCT (Patient Care Tech aka CNA) at Fl Hospital or ORMC.
I will be starting a LPN program in January and am considering applying for a PCT position (after I obtain my CNA). Realistically, what kind of salaries/wages can a new PCT expect?
I have a great paying job now, but no medical experience whatsoever. I don't want that to count against me when I graduate as an LPN.
Any ideas/suggestions would be great!
Thanks! :)

I am finishing my first semester at FH and we can start working as PCT next semester. The pay per-diem is 11.75.

Nashima · Dec 6, 2005

Thanks for all the replies! :-)

richquis · Mar 24, 2009

For those of you that worked as a PCT while going to school for LPN or RN, was the experience beneficial? I am one test away from finding out if I can get into the LPN program at Ridge Career Center in Winter Haven. I was told that if I don't get into the LPN program, then, I should take PCT and work while going into the RN program at Polk Community College. What do you suggest?

Destinyx13 · Mar 24, 2009

I worked as a Clin Tech while going through LPN school and I found it to be really helpful. I work (and got hired on after graduation) on a Med-Surg Floor and the nurses were SO helpful and really willing to show me and help me when I needed it. I felt like I and the other people who worked as Techs had a lot easier of a time in LPN school since we were around the hospital setting already. Especially in clinicals. A lot of the other people were quite timid getting started and I was able and ready to dive right in. I'm currently finishing up the Transition program at Polk Community College and LOVE it and would definitely recommend it. It is very fast paced, but I really feel like I'll be prepared to take the boards. If you have any questions feel free to message me!

richquis · Mar 24, 2009

Thank you so much! I am about to take the NLN

richquis · Mar 24, 2009

Sorry about that short reply... Fingers too quick for my own good. Anyway, I am about to take the NLN test for LPN, but, I was told about this PCT class and encouraged to take it. I have worked in a hospital for about 5 years on the Billing and Registration side of things. I have wanted to become a Nurse for a while now. I'm trying to think of what road should I take to get there. I have the opportunity to do both positions. What a dilemma!