pcelest2003

Been there done that/

It's a damned shamed that you had to go through the drama. As a CNA/PCT in the ICU we don't have time for all that crap and niether should your Cna's. This type of stuff goes on in LTC in a lot of states. It' seems as thought only the bottom of the barrel cna's get hired in LTC's. However, there are some ignorant ones on med surg as well. But the more acute the pt's are there tends to be more professional assistive staff. This is only my opinion. I am very sorry that you went through all that. I apologize on behalf of all the pct's out here that work hard burst their behinds for their nurses. But I must say in most acute care hospt. LPN's don't get respect like the nurses. The only things that seperates here is an advanced med certificate. Other than that, LPN get put into rotation with the aids. I noticed in LTC , LPN's run the show. I've even seen some as charge nurses. Make that broad respect you as a person an the title that your worked for. I guess being a male. There are just some things that I cannot and will not tolerate. Do not let her see you sweat , Ever!! Once she's seen that Sis you've lost the battle.!!!

51.00 me and spouse p/pd ppo, Nortwestern Memorial Chicago

I'm a PCT/CNA, whatever you want to call it. Anyway, you should never lie on any medical documentation forms. Are you crazy! I some states they will yank your certification. Ya see, people think that a certi/means nothing. But in you cannot work without one in an acute care hospital. Protect your integrity and your certification. In addition, your RN that you are working under should know better. CNA's get called into court too. You better believe it!

I am a PCt and I say these "This PCT needs to give it a rest." And hello! CNA's are called into court as well!! If she want to be a nurse she should carry her a-- to school. Like the rest of us PCTS. Besides, I'm don't want the legal responsiblity yet anyway. Your NM is a idiot. She has to realize what's going on. Hey, I have alot of experience ICU Nicu, rehab and peds as a tech. I Learned alot and probably could run circles around some new grads, but still would never claim to be an RN, because I'm not. Some body needs to wake up and smell the starbucks! I smell a lawsuit one day.

Nice to know your 16 and thinking of being a CRNA. It looks like you have your head screwed on right. Anyway, are those H.S classes or Coll. Even if they are college it could matter depending on the school. Rush University in Chicago mainly place high emphasis on Sci and Nurs courses.

Chill out. I would not take it if you don't have too. It's different if your already a CNA. Yes, you do have edge over some students, but everyone catches up. Although, some programs are requiring students to get certified, don't waste your money if you don't have too. Take a chill pill this summer!

blusky, It was so hard for me and yes the pay was 5.50 and I had 26 residents to get toileted and dressed. But, I must say some of the aid in LTC are very interesting to work with. In addition, there is always a shortage of supplies so we had to use draw sheets as diapers. I was glad to work med/surg after that experience I've gained allot of exp now I'm in NICU/Postpartum as a tech. Sweet, huh? and male!

That is rather unfortunate. I worked in a LTC for 30 minutes and punched out. I told them to keep the check! I was a cna right out of clinicals. They DON begged me to work at that facility. Go work in hospital, gain your basic clinical skills latch on to a nurse who truely likes to mentor and you'll learn allot. Drop the zero and get with the hero's!

Nights if rough on the body. However, I enjoy not having to look at the phonies and brown nosers on the day shift. Usually everyone on nights understand one another, because we are all fighting to stay awake. 3-6 is the worst for me. It is common that most of us just usually shut up during those hours. Don't take it personal if we are not talkie chalkie. But it's really rough at first. There are times when I feel my body pulling to stay awake. Lastly, put your friends and family in CHECK!!! Cease the phone calls. I used unplug my phone. But since my wife works days, I usually leave my cell phone on. Afterall, you'll be suffering working nights while they are sleeping, and you will find sleep being a heavy topic of conversation. Better beneifits as nurse than CNA, working nights. Check your companies differential policy. I know where I work CNA only get 50cents and the RN's get 4.00.

Chill out! Actually, this class will help you a great deal. If your plan is to be a nurse I would not recommend being a CNA for more than five years max. RN's change poopie diapers too, well, most, but not all. I've worked in an ICU setting primarily. Consider yourself blessed if you get a chance to work ICU med/Surg/ or Er as a tech. Believe me, you'll be just a marketable as a nurse, but without the pay and edu. Changing poopie diapers should be the least of your concerns. Working with safe staff and cosiderate RNs may be your major problems. Once you get the process of peri care, you'll see you'll be okay. P. Celest, PCT.

Nurses, nurses, nurses! I'm a tech in a busy PICU, and also work as a tech in Rehab. I personally believe that all nurses should at least get there first set of v\s. I work second shift and often come behind PCT's that are totally incompetent when it comes to measuring accurate vitals. For example, I've worked in a neonatal or peds setting for years. Some PCTs that work on an adult floor have charted a 24hr babies resp as 16-18bpm. So, I agree with some of the nurses, and some of you need to stop whining. Really, how can you really do a complete assesment without knowing doing them yourself. When I finish RN school, I'll probably do mine, just because It makes me feel safe and my patient. Hell, even as a pct I go behind some nurses, because lets be honest, we may not have the formal education, but when it comes to beside care we can run circles around some new grads, and it is quite astonishing to find out how many RN's cant do basic assesments. It;s just a shame that there are some very sharp PCT's in some setting, but in other settings it shocks me to see what's going on. Especially, the patient that was dead for 3 days, with normal vital signs. V/S signs are so fundalmental. Why not know how to measure them.

Heck ya you need it. Micro was a challange for me, but at least, my teacher related most subjects to a clinical setting. That helped allot.

Speaking from a PCT standpoint currently taking my core req. I can see how they are all important, even the humanities. Yes, A/P, Micro are very important, especially if your micro instr. makes clinical reference. Your lucky if your science teachers have some sort of clincal expertise.