freepct

Ok.....so this is my first week as a pct (orientation) on a thorasic stepdown......so first of all im following the tech around and helpning her ..she is the only tech on the floor WTH!...w/14 patients!....i did all of the two o'clock vitals which took me two in a half hours bcuz the techs on my floor are required to travel w/ pts. w/ chest tubes xray etc and no one is covering our work bcuz she was the only tech scheduled!!!!!!!!(and since im in orientation i had to go w/ her)..and since there were only us two on the floor we were constantly helping the nurses lift and turn patients when they asked...i was extremely overwhelmed w/ just the 2 oclock vitals i can't even imagine being the only tech scheduled on the floor....and there is also an observation unit that i can be scheduled on ..so i was asked by a tech over there to help turn a pt. w/ a new trach,rectal tube,cath,and wrist restraints, when i was turning her she pointed to her head and said "shoot me" omg! i just acted like i couldn't understand her bcuz she couldn't talk(i did report it to her nurse though)....so now its nine oclock and i am venting and drunk with exhaustion as that miserable lil ladies face telling me she doesn't want to live anymore flashes in my head....i have to work tomorrow so i guess back to hell i go..... ps. i was also appalled at the lack of empathy for the patients from the staff ....there was a pt that stayed 5 hours away and was being dc and was not sure if his ride was coming so i asked if he wanted to get a social worker to talk to him and when i asked the unit sec to call the sw she went off on me and said "he's not homeless why would we help him w/ a ride"....then another instance i had a nurse tell me "is she dying?" i say "No" and she says "Well she'll be alright"...is this normal hosp business .....it just makes me want to finish nursing school more and more...ok im done .....comment and goodnight:redbeathe

:DHi everyone, I am starting a pct position on a thoracic stepdown ( im currently in orientation).....my mind has been running wild with the continuing ed oppurtunities and which 1 would benefit me the most in the short run....i will be starting my prereques next fall for nursing but in the mean time i would like to add a cert. or two to increase my wages and/or marketability.....i wanted to get my cna just to get my cmt but i already have a uap cert.(i just can't take the same exact class over again:cool:) there is a phlebotomy class i could take but since "phlebotomy" is already in pct scope of practice..i was wondering would it be redundant.....on paper it may seem that way but the only training i had was on a manaquin arm for 30min in school(and all the techs i talked w/ have only used butterfly needles:confused: as they do on the floor im starting on), so i would like to learn more in depth info on venipuncture...i also see job openings for certified phlebotomist as dialysis techs , and lab assistants.....as a pct i think im pretty much stuck in the hospital(wipn butts:D)..if anything it might give me more job oppurtunities....those are just my thoughts.....if anyone knows if there is a pay difference between pct and phlebotomist let me know.....IS IT WORTH IT :redpinkhe

wow......i will b adjusting to the 7pm-7am and expected to work like a hebrew slave:o ....i guess it might take some getting used to:rolleyes:......but i won't start my prerequs until next fall so i guess itll b alright:confused:........and i have the option of transferring after 6mths(i think i might be doing that)...also i will have to do 4hrs in an observation room on some shifts monitering patients for seizures on video.....i told the manager that, that seemed interesting and she said,"pcts don't enjoy that part"(i thought it'd b a break from the nonstop direct patient care)? oh yeah thx for all the info keep it coming:D

I was just offered a straight nights pct position on a neuro medicine floor:yeah: ....in my interview w/ the nurse manager i was warned that all the patients were total care and they were very short staffed on the night shift:uhoh3:....so I'm wondering have i bypassed giving 8 total bed baths etc since ill be working the night shift......anyone w/ experience on this floor please share ur thoughts on this subject;) thanx:redpinkhe

Well my 1yr old broke my keyboard and i'm using an on screen keyboard which is a lot harder than texting on a phone keypad......so i apologize if my post was difficult to decipher:confused: And thanx for the advice:D ......Im leaning towards RN anyways:lol2:

im just a lowly pre nursing studentlol but have you tried staffing agencies? and i agree w/ other posters it depends on where u live ......the more ppl in ur city, the larger and the greater amount of hospitals and the greater demand for nurses....there seems to b a shortage in st. louis where i live....i have a sis that lives in chatanooga and could only find work in a male prison......do ur research and find a city that's hiring lots of nurses and maybe consider a move

hey everyone i am constantly debating the best road for me to become an RN i am a pct & I have to small kids so money is def an issue..I know want to get an adn or diploma then bridge to bsn and then msn. My question is would it be wise to get an lpn then bridge to rn(which would provide me with more$ alot sooner) or go straight to rn?......im also bck home with my mom:crying2: and can't really have my kids bcuz of the condition she keeps her house:mad: smdh......so they spend alot of time @ thier dad's house......what r the pros & cons of lpn to rn? i need to move and make a livable income so i can support my girls.....any advice is greatly apreciated:)