mid2348

This is an old post, but I can't help but reply. They treat you poorly because they feel superior to you. I work in telemetry, and I've worked there for years. The course to become a PCT was eight months, and I'm also certified in phlebotomy through the NPA. In tele we draw blood, do EKG's and give compressions as part of the code team. I decided to go back to school to become a RN, and after completing nearly all my pre reqs. (with high honors) a medical condition forced me to leave school. I can tell you with certainty that you will never be respected as a CNA, PCT, PCA, Tech or whatever your title. It's a thankless job with a ridiculous pay in most settings. I'm paid extremely well, and I don't think anyone should accept less than $15.00 per hour to start. If every "aide" walked out tomorrow they would pay what your worth. They treat you horribly because you let them. I cringe every time I hear a nurse say, "I love my aides!" They have no idea how deeming it is to hear those words. Now before I get pounced on by 50 nurses, there are definitely exceptions to the rule. I work with so many great nurses, but the ones that treat me poorly are only hurting themselves. I'll do vitals (their job) on admissions, because I want to help them. Obviously if someone treats you as less then human then you won't be dying to go out of your way for them. I think hospitals treat "aides" better than LTC facilities. I would go work in a factory before long term care;however, in order to work in a hospital you need experience so you have to pay your dues in long term care. The patients will help you get through it, because at the end of the day you're truly there for the patient and no one else.

Thank you! I admit her words and tone of voice did make me feel bad, hence my initial post. But I know I had no choice in calling out. Thanks for the smiley! :)

Thank you, I'm feeling much better. I think it will be a while before I'm back to normal, but it's a huge improvement from the other night. As for the supervisor, I don't think she's a very happy person in general. In fact, she has never even said hello. She's one of several hospital supervisors, and the others are much more personable. They at least know my name lol!

I'm sorry to hear that happened to you. I think I caught mine from an 11-7 PCA who came to work stating that she "had the flu." I did my best to avoid her, and I can't be certain that I caught this from her, but the timing would be right. It's funny your description of "martyred look," because I can clearly recall her having that same look. She was also extremely vocal about having the flu, yet she was allowed to work 12 hours around critically ill patients. As for the lack of caring, it's fine. That particular supervisor isn't known for her people skills in the first place. The majority of my co-workers (nurses, doctors and techs,) are wonderful people.

RNperdiem, I agree, but it's just disheartening. Honestly, I feel as awful about having to call out as I feel sick. I think about the extra work placed on my co-workers. Hopefully, calling far in advance gave them the opportunity to find coverage for me. Guilty feelings aside, I would have been useless to them in my present condition. I feel short of breath just walking to the next room.

LOL @ "kick in the butt." It's sad but true. I've worked in health care many years, and I know it's the nature of the beast. Thank you, I think it will take a few more days of being on antibiotic before this starts to clear up, but at least I'm off and won't have to call out sick.

As I write this, I have to pause periodically to cough my brains out. In fact, I'm about the sickest I've ever been in my life. I was diagnosed with pneumonia a few days ago, and wouldn't it figure, this Dx landed on my scheduled weekend. I'm a patient tech, and I work in critical care and telemetry. Now, you would think in a perfect world, that the hospital would prefer to keep employees with pneumonia away from critical patients. But I don't find this to be the case. Actually I can recall countless times employees came to work with strep throat, pink eye, and cold/flu symptoms. And I congratulate them on their willingness to trudge through the halls of Tele, sweating with fevers, coughing all over those of us that are still healthy. The supervisors pretend to not notice that they look like death warmed over. Well, let me get to the point of my post. Initially I went to work at the onset of my illness. And yes I was one of those people coughing all over the healthy. I made it through two days of working while sick, but my condition worsened over my two days off. I went to my doctor, he took x-rays, and he diagnosed me with pneumonia. I called out Saturday and again today. It's their response that irked me, no get better, or sorry to hear you're sick. Just nothing... She isn't the most friendly thing on a good day, but as a fellow human being, you think there might be some hint of kindness. Oh well just wanted to take a moment to vent. Thanks in advance for listening.

Well nurse, no offense but I wouldn't have to try hard to "stir" things up in LTC. My post was geared more towards any CNA that happened to stumble across this thread. Just to let them know there are places that are willing to give them some amount of respect. Great example, "I think 3 aides could handle rounds on 60 residents just fine." Sure we can, like working a cattle line. Here's another good one, "also.... keep in mind what CNA stands for..." Yup Certified nursing assistant, it means assisting with your job which includes patient care.

ChanceORiley27 "My aides", Take your aides to the side" Wow did they bring back slavery? It's a wonder to me that LTC's can find CNA's willing to work for them. I'm not sure if their that desperate or just plain stupid? I left LTC and went back to school to become a PCT. I work in critical care and would never go back to the degrading work of a LTC nursing assistant. My advice to CNA's , get out of LTC. You can find employment in hospitals, home care, doctor's offices. You don't have to waste away in LTC being treated like a second class citizen.

In Connecticut $15.00 + $2.00 shift diff on weekends as a hospital PCT in CCU.

LOL! Well, Im a PCT and we don't touch NG tubes or do IV's. The PCT course in CT was 8 months. I work in CCU/TELE we draw blood, EKG's, glucose monitoring, we do chest compressions in codes (which in CCU is quite frequent) as well as assist with patient care. The nurses do their own patient care so we assist with boosts or whatever is needed. There is much confusion when people ask what's the difference between CNA's and PCT/PCA. The difference for me was 8 months vs 4 weeks of school.

I agree it surprised me so many said they will opt out on gloves. We just had a code last night and I took the 2 sec it takes to put gloves on. It's not worth the risk to yourself or family to skip PPE.

" Great thought mid2348, but it will not happen in a million years." I have no doubt your correct and as I have always said for PCA's , CNA's the only way to move up is to move on. What CNA's have to realize is even though they may think your basically useless, they still need you. Gain the experience for your meager pay, always watching the want ads for better paying positions. We might be a dime a dozen but so are CNA jobs. I've worked at three places in the last five years and earn $4.56 more having changed jobs. I do have to say that I really like my current job so it wouldn't be so easy to leave, but if it means a big enough raise then I'd have to consider.

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:

If someone is repeatedly rude to you then my advice is to take it up with the DON. I had to do that years ago while working in LTC. This nurse just took an immediate disliking to me from her first day there. I had been working there for 2 years. I was filling out my report and she introduced herself by saying, "Excuse me if the other aides finished what they had to write so should you! Get to work!" Nice way to meet her huh lol! This went on every day till she finally went too far. I was sick, extremely sick and had to call in to work. She took it upon herself to show up at my door to see if I was really sick. I went to the DON and told her and she was shocked. I told her that I can't work like this anymore if things didn't change I would have to find another job. Well, I don't know what the DON said to her but she confronted me and apologized and then never said a word to me again. It's like the other poster said some people are just plain rude. Those same people are as rude to other nurses as they are to the aides. I've also heard aides tell nurses to "do it yourself" and other rude comments so it really does go both ways.

I want to say all the nurses posting here sound like a great bunch! I'm a PCA and have worked in health care since the early 80's while still in high school. I've worked in LTC, home care, children's hospital. I've seen the good the bad the ugly lol. I'm now in CCU,CVU & TELE at our local hospital and I love my job! The nurses on my floor have respect for our job, we work as a team. It wasn't the same for me in LTC, it was more of an "us against them" attitude. A nurse once told me at the children's hospital, "Nurses aides are a dime a dozen." The worst part was that I liked her and looked up to her, she crushed my 16 year old heart saying that lol. I've since learned that good PCA's, CNA's, NA's or whatever the title are far from a dime a dozen. I guess my point is that having worked in both atmospheres hostile and friendly, it's clear to me that mutual respect between nurses and PCA's does wonders for morale. It creates a much needed harmony in a hectic, exciting, rewarding yet sometimes depressing work place.:)

I took the PCT course four years ago. I'm currently working in CCU/TELE at the hospital. I love my job and that's something that I never felt working in LTC as a CNA. I can only speak from my own experiences but I think the course was well worth the cost. We don't have LPN's in the hospital but I can say the RN's don't have any problems with PCT's. It's a good alternative for people unable to pursue nursing at a higher level. If possible you should seek national certification in phlebotomy, as this will give you even more career opportunities. Good luck:)