pctlc_734
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Hi! I started the program this past year in 2025! Right now I'm in my third semester in the program during the Winter, and will be starting my fourth next month. So far, it's definitely been a fast paced program. As far as stress, it's different for everyone but time management helps a lot. The workload grows as you move through each semester, but over time you kind of get a feel for how to manage it. I've made a lot of great friends along the way, amd would recommend finding a few people to create study groups. It's tough but definitely possible to do! And all of the professors have been amazingly supportive and knowledgeable in their areas. Hopefully we will cross paths and meet in person!
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I hope you get in! Praying for you as well! I found out my decision about a week after the deadline for January 17, but I submitted my application on January 2. I got an email saying that the portal was updated and saw on the home page "decided - accepted" with a welcome video and a pdf of my acceptance letter. I found out about a week after the deadline, but had submitted my application a few weeks beforehand.
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Hi! I'm starting a new discussion board for people who are interested in applying and/or are accepted into this year's cohort for the Montclair State Prelicensure MSN program. I just submitted my application to the program yesterday. I used to attend the school as a Public Health major and graduate early so I could work as a PCT as well as focus on my last prereq courses. If any current students have any information about the program, please add it below as well because I haven't been able to get much information about it from a nursing student's perspective.
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I'm planning on applying for nursing school soon, but I am a current float pool PCT. I work per diem on weekend night shifts (11 pm - 7:30 am) and will most likely continue to do so during school. I feel like working per diem might have been a better choice for you during school, especially if you want to keep up with studying. I've been floated to med surg units and liked the environment for the most part. I personally prefer ICU/CCU, but the med surg unit staff seemed nice to me. Being a float PCT can definitely have its challenging moments, but you adjust to the role and perfect your skills over time. Plus you can avoid any drama happening on certain units because you are constantly moved around other areas. That being said, it's not required that you have medical experience. Does it help your chances of getting a job and develop good bedside skills? Possibly. But that can only happens when you graduate nursing and pass your NCLEX, which should be your top priority right now. I wish you the best no matter what you choose, but make sure your mental health and schoolwork don't suffer as a result.
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I kind of disagree with this. I was a beside volunteer on an orthopedics unit for a while and my main tasks were answering call lights, passing food trays, transporting patients to the lobby, etc. But that experience got me more comfortable with patient interactions and learning different procedures from the nurses. Plus, my exposure as a hospital volunteer led me to my current PCT job and gave me a leg up in understanding the pace of hospital setting. Any experience you can get from the hospital/medical field is good experience. There is always something to learn from any position you take, and nursing schools want to see that you are willing to learn in the field as well as in lecture.
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Hi! I'm a current PCT in NJ so I'm more than happy to answer your questions! I work in the float pool, which means I can be put on any unit that needs a tech. Because I work per diem, I'm only mandated to work 4 8-hr night shifts (11p-7a) a month every other weekend. This works for me because of my school schedule, but I know PCTs that have worked 12 hour shifts (7a-7p or 7p-7a). It depends on the hospital you work at, but PCTs can work the same hours as nurses. Part time PCTs may work 20-30 hours (2 12-hr shifts or 3 8-hr shifts) and full time works close to 40 hours (3 12-hr shifts or 5 8-hr shifts). When you begin looking for jobs, it should say what shift you are expected to work in the job description. Also know that typically night, weekend and holiday shifts have differentials, or additional pay added per hour since those are the most needed (and less wanted) shifts to work. You can pick up any additional shifts you want outside of your requirements as well, just remember not to overdo it. I'm still relatively new to my job (2 months off orientation), but here are some tips I wish I knew or gained during my time so far. Know that there will be moments that you will want to cry or may struggle with certain tasks. In the first few orientation shifts and during the first few shifts off orientation, you may experience some imposter syndrome. In the float pool, we are expected to pick things up quick because we are always put in different units with different rules and expectations. You will be okay. Those feelings will not last forever and you will improve as you keep practicing your skills. Make a strong first impression no matter where you are in the hospital. If you plan to further your career as a nurse or another hospital-related career path, it's important to get on the right foot with people. Nurses will remember you by the way you handled your task, how you helped them and your energy. When I get on the unit, I always put my phone away and delve into my work completely. If I'm not charting vitals, I'm helping nurses re-position their patients. I'll check that Foleys are charted and emptied. I'll answer any call lights, even ones that are not in my assignment. I'll ask the nurses and other techs if they need help. A useful PCT with a positive, can-do attitude that supports the staff is always looked favorably by nurses. Remember that this is a job. You are there to work first, so try not to be on your phone unless needed for work or during breaks. You will see a lot of bodily fluids. Poop, pee, blood, vomit, you name it, you'll see it. Poop never bothered me that much, but vomit is something I had to get used to. Being a PCT often means dealing with the more physical, dirtier aspects of direct health. But over time, you will get used to it. A tip that another PCT passed to me was to apply Vicks inside a mask during your shift or even chewing a breath mint to block out certain smells. Do what you gotta do to handle your tasks because unfortunately, it's something we see alot. START VITALS EARLY. I cannot highlight this enough. There will be times you are the only tech on the floor with anywhere between 10-30 patients (once I had 52 on a uro transplant unit). Even if there is another tech, try to start vitals between 30-45 minutes before the hour (sometimes even an hour before.). You may have call lights going off, nurses asking for help or a patient that needs to be given a bed bath during this time. With this, try and bundle your tasks together. If you're doing your q4 vitals at 6 am and also need to check q6 blood sugars for a patient, do both at the same time. If you are finishing giving a bed bath to a patient, do vitals after so you don't have to come back for them later. Time management and prioritization is key to maintaining your sanity sometimes with this job. ASK QUESTIONS. Another tip that cant be highlighted enough. If you don't know something always ask first before doing something and making a mistake that hurts your patient. Nurses may get annoyed, but they would rather you ask the silly questions now than make silly mistakes later. But also try to remember how things are done as you do them each time so you're more familiar with certaintakes like bed baths, EKGs, drawing blood and more. Those are the tips that come to mind. If you don't mind me asking, what shift and unit do you think you'll take? If you have any more specific questions, I'm more than happy to answer. I love hearing from my fellow pcts! We need to stick together in this crazy healthcare system ?!
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I know I'm a little late to the forum, but I just wanted to add my two cents. I definitely agree with everyone about being a CNA/PCT. I'm currently a float pool/per-diem night PCT, so I go where ever I'm needed. It exposes me to different environments and lets me interact with other nurses, doctors and patients. Sometimes I get to study during the nights depending on the unit. It can get gross at times (emptying Foleys, cleaning up after patients, etc.), but it will really test you and help you decide if you want to continue with nursing. Also, if you're a PCT you may get trained to draw blood, do EKGs and test blood sugars which can help you for skill check-offs and clinicals during nursing school.