winterallsummer

Thanks, this advice has all been helpful. Yes I would like to work at a hospital at first, and definitely spend adequate time there, regardless of where I work after. Well I start orientation at the large hospital Tuesday so I should learn more. I am thinking if I have 6-7 months experience in a hospital setting I could get hired as a patient care tech on a med-surge unit? This is having a CNA, and by then an associates of science or close to.

Acute care? What unit would that be on? Ideally I want to be a PA doing family practice, general health stuff. Yep the hospital I just got on doing weekdays is a great hospital so I am hoping I can move around internally there. Also what's a PCA?

I am a sophmore pursuing first a BS degree in human biology, then going to become a PA. Currently I work as an MHT (mental health tech) at a small hospital and a large hospital (one weekends, one weekdays). It is good to learn about psychology and some general med stuff (i.e. I can dress dry wounds or talk to patients about medication) but I don't want to stay in it too long. I am hoping the large hospital will transfer me to a medical unit eventually. I am wondering, is patient care tech a good job to have while in nursing or PA school? What are some other good jobs where you can get hands on experience? I considered getting my phlebotomy license while in school but I don't really like the idea of giving shots and taking blood all day. Ideally I would work in surgery or maybe for an upscale psychiatric practice. What are some other good jobs, if any? Has anyone done lab work or other medical jobs at hospitals that only require a certification? I have my CNA, ACE (personal training certif), CPR and will have PMAB coming up. Any recommendations would be helpful. I am looking for a job where I can learn a lot. Someone recommended I apply as a medical tech at a penitentary because you do and learn way more than you ever could at a hospital. Anyone know if its worth the trade off? Would imagine not.

What's the difference between a PCT and CNA? I was told at the CNA school I enrolled in they are the same thing.

How often do you deal with "code brown" at a nursing home? Sorry I know typical question but I have no where else to ask.

Sorry to hear about that. My advice I would offer is check out hiring online indeed.com, monster.com, craigslist.com (under medical), jobs.yahoo.com, and google has their own as well now, and to call the HR for nearby hospitals. Hope this helps some and best of luck, once you get in a supportive work situation this will probably look like a blessing in hindsight.

Hi everyone. So an update for you all. The last day (19th or 20th) is nearing, it is officially 2 weeks away now. Yesterday I went and signed up for the CNA class. It's 4 weeks long, 3 are in class, 1 is hands on. I paid the down payment and start it March 2nd, and will finish it March 27th. I was pretty impressed with the school. It's in Lancaster which is in the middle of no where in between Dallas and East Texas... bleh. But the woman I met there was very chill, and the facility is cozy but modern. The class is all and all 75 hours. She said people go on to do personal care (not for me), hospitals (I wanna do ER), psych wards (could be fun), rehab (could be fun) and nursing homes (not for me). Anyways I start March 2nd so I will update you all then.

Oh wow ICYOU that is crazy, 6 months pregnant and working that much for such an "on your feet job", major props.

If I were you I'd talk to the manager face to face. If she is still unreasonable then you can always go to HR.

I see a lot of the economy threads popping up and people talking about how bad their hospitals are getting as far as hiring/lay offs/no OT. Well I am just wondering, who here either has a degree or certification and CAN NOT find a job, or who here has actually been laid off? Talking just personally/individually here. Also, who here used to be able to get OT and can not get it anymore? And who here is getting significantly less hours?

Did you take CNA classes before becoming certified?

Plain and simple: if you want to go into the medical field, do so irregardless to the circumstances surrounding it and yourself. If you do not have a passion to go into the medical field, you will make much more money with equivalent education in a variety of other fields, and with a general business degree, can probably land a job as easily as having a specific medical degree. My 2 cents anyways. I start my CNA classes on March 2nd.

Oh gotcha. Yeah the CNA class I will be taking is to prepare you for the state exam. I have seen some job postings that list "will train" for various things beyond the scope of CNA, i.e. EKGs, and definitely hope to land a job like that.

I have NEVER heard of legal issues resulting from someone failing an employee drug test, particularly for marijuana. In fact I find it extremely unlikely for there to be a) the legal right of the employer to do such a thing, b) a failed drug test to work as substantial evidence, c) the involvement of the state and legal department to be so high, and d) someone being punished so severely for failing a drug test and not being convicted of possession.

I see. I found plenty of places offering CNA classes but none offering STNA. Is STNA done in all 50 states? I live in Texas. Would having my CNA first help me get my STNA? I definetly want to do IVs and draw blood and administer meds if I can. Would I be able to get my CNA degree and be trained on the job to do these things? The reason I ask, is I put my 2 weeks in at my office job, and have saved up enough money to not work for about 1 month. So I am going to take 3 weeks to get my CNA and 1 week to find a job, fingers crossed. Your reply is very helpful.