Seeking good advices for working as a PCT at the hospital

[jlcool]

Hi there, I recently got a job at a hospital working as a PCT. This is my first hospital job. I'm doing this for my RN program as in the coming semester I'll have to be exposed to med/surge, labor and delivery, and pediatric classes. Want to get more experiences and see more before jumping into the classes.

I was excited about working at the hospital but now I'm really anxious and nervous about it! Any good advice I can get from all of you good hard working PCTs or nurses? How to deal with difficult people/patients? How to survive??? Thanks!

[G019, BSN, RN]

Congrats on the new job! Just go in with an open mind ready to learn. Try not to appear nervous in patients room because they don't know that you're "new" so be confident in that aspect. If a patient becomes aggressive or violent just back off and notify your nurse. Sometimes we tend to think that we have to take verbal or physical abuse because of our position but that's not true. Your safety is just as important as the patient. You will encounter many personalities among your fellow peers as well as colleagues you work under. Try not to feel intimidated but at the same time don't be arrogant. Remain humble and try to stay out the drama. Best wishes to you!

[Apollo617]

H

AJJKRN, at first I thought you were going to say the CNA upped the oxygen and it was a COPD patient, who lost drive to breathe and had to be intubated. (you only make that mistake once as I found out!)

When I was in nursing school, I worked PT as a home care aide, PT bank teller and FT nite shift psychiatric assistant. So, no real long term or hospital experience other than clinical and I was so uncomfortable and out of my element on the floor. Let me tell you what a huge advantage you will have in nursing school (primarily clinical) over folks who were like me.

It will be overwhelming at first, but stick it out because the time management skills you will acquire, the comfort you will gain with breaking out of your comfort zone (if that's an issue for you, as it was for me) and hands-on experience will be priceless. congrats to you both on your new jobs & you'll be great.

I'm applying to jobs as a psych assistant at a hospital. I don't want to hijack this this thread, but I'd love to know about your experience. I also want to work nights. I'm starting a CNA program to get the medical skills (I'm about to graduate with a BS in Psychology).

To piggy back off the original question, can anyone with experience at a psych hospital respond?