Re: Patient Care Assistant, while in nursing school

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

I vote to do Unit Secretary because you'll see the orders for the patient conditions more frequently and that's what you need to know as a nurse.

PCT's don't usually get to see that. They learn how to do basic care, yes, but it's physically very demanding, especially while going to school. As a US, you'll get to know the docs, learn to read their handwriting, and get familiar with the orders that certain types of patients will get.

Some hospitals encourage cross training, so you can be a US who can also double as a PCT in a clinch. I would still recommend US first, then I would highly recommend cross-training as a monitor tech next. That's another function that you might need as a nurse. You can always cross train as a PCT, but I personally would recommend that you do that training last.