Questions about Nursing Technician Job

RileyLola1018 · Apr 4, 2011

I'm a PCT (Patient Care Tech) so I'm not sure if it's the same as what you applied to. Mine isn't considered a "program". But I start nursing school in the fall and originally applied for the PCT job to gain patient care experience, since I had virtually none. I am not a CNA and my hospital trained me to do my job. It was pretty extensive, but it wasn't any kind of program. My first few days were definitely eye opening! :uhoh21:...but in a good way! I was able to get a feel for if nursing is for me. I now know it is! which was exciting to finally realize without a doubt.

The job is overwhelming at times, but I love it. Have you ever worked in a type of patient care setting before? If not and you are considering nursing school in your future, I definitely recommend it. PCT's are overworked and have a high patient load, just like the RN's do. There are certain things that MUST get done every shift (sometimes multiple times) such as vitals, blood sugars, bathing, ambulating pts,charting I's&O's, etc. and that is in addition to all the other things that spontaneously come up like answering calls lights (even from the pt that is on the light every 15 minutes for pain meds), cleaning up incontinent pts, fetching family members beverages, doing tasks that the RN may ask of you, and many more things! My first few days, my head was in a jumble of sorts and I was thinking "How am I ever going to get everything done? How can I succeed at NOT ******* off my RN's!" But you learn to develop your own routine relatively quickly and learn to anticipate what the RN needs maybe even sometimes before she asks. (which they appreciate!! ) I also am fortunate to work with some great RN's who help me out when I need it...which is why I WANT to work my butt off for them, because I know we respect and appreciate each other.

PatMac10,RN, RN · Apr 4, 2011

I know that in some places a nurse tech can be different things according to this site. Some hospitals state that the quallificationas to be a nurse tech are that you be at least through your 1st semester of nursing school or have completed some percentage of your nursing program. Some are apparently the same thing as student nurse externs/ interns. IDK. We don't really have those kind of programs going on around here in my part of NC. Wish we did though that would br awesome for someone like me who is going to nursing school. At the hospital where I work at as a CNA we have CNA II's that also receive the title PCT and they do more advanced skills like cather insertion and EKG's etc... Thisis comparable to what some cosider nurse tech's.

flysbyemerald08 · Apr 4, 2011

Take the Nursing Tech job!

I was fortunate to get a job doing tech work at a university teaching hospital so I was exposed to new procedures that I did not see in the long term care setting I had worked at before. I worked as float pool so I was at the oncology unit one day and then the ortho unit the next. This variety gave me a chance to learn new skills and mingle with a variety of medical staff. There were student doctors, student nurses, RNs, student pharmacists,etc. I also was required to take a class that taught more invasive procedures such as foley catheter insertion, discharging foleys, pin site care, and blood draws.

What requirements you must have prior to working as a tech most likely varies from state to state. I did mine in New Mexico and they only required experience and CPR certification a couple of years ago. I had just received my CNA not too long before applying but made sure to make a strong impression on my interview. I loved that job and am looking forward to working as an RN in the hospital setting this time :)

kool-aide, RN · Apr 4, 2011

Take it, you'll be glad you did.