Now since hospitals are no longer hiring LPN's I think CNAs could possibly have more job requirements later in the future. CNA's already do EKG's and blood draws at some hospitals with further training.
In the LPN course at my college they do not teach IV's, they are told they wont do anything invovling IVs but yet when hired they prepare them! The only thing they cant do is push meds.
Somebody will have to pick up the duties right, or you think Im wrong here?
I wasn't about to read all 58 replies, but the hospital I worked for in AZ had very few LPNs and were looking to phase them out. They wanted the CNA's to become PCTs so they'd be able to do foleys, glucometers, D/C'ing IVs, EKGs and things along those lines- certainly nothing to do with intubation or administering medication as I read on another post.
Patient Care Techs are basicly the same as CNA. Im currently in a PCA course and when I do my state exam and pass, I will then hold my Certification, CNA. nurse assistant.
Patient Care Techs are basicly the same as CNA. Im currently in a PCA course and when I do my state exam and pass, I will then hold my Certification, CNA. nurse assistant.
Am I wrong here?
I suppose that would vary from state to state. In AZ a CNA isn't permitted to perform those duties listed above but a PCT is (as far as I have seen in AZ anyway) which is why the hospital I worked for wanted us to get our PCT (they would offer the course) and be able to do these tasks.
It varies from state to state. In most cases, a PCT is able to do a lot more than a CNA. They receive extra training and they are state certified. Some of the things that PCT's are able to do in a hospital would make Nurses in an LTC have a heart attack. They are often employed by hospitals and the pay is usually a lot more competitive than that of an LTC.
Here in PA a PCT at a hospital on average earns an extra $3-$6 an hour. If you work at an LTC, your lucky if you can make $13 bucks an hour with a shift diff.
Oh okay Im not sure how it is here in FL out in facilities. I thought they were the same.. Im sure I find out once I start working. Thanks guys for all the help, advice!:redbeathe
Oh okay Im not sure how it is here in FL out in facilities. I thought they were the same.. Im sure I find out once I start working. Thanks guys for all the help, advice!:redbeathe
Lina, PCT's and CNA's are basically one in the same. In a hospital the requirement to be a PCT is to be a CNA. Normally, the hospital changes your job title to PCT and they train you to do phlebotomy, EKG's, Accu-Checks and ect. Each state has their own set of guidelines for the required amount of training. I don't know why is seems to be so shocking that a CNA is allowed to do more than change diapers!!! I personally think the CNA course should be a bit longer and more in depth. CNA's are not being taught about things that are essential for them to perform better care. IMO
Lina, PCT's and CNA's are basically one in the same. In a hospital the requirement to be a PCT is to be a CNA. Normally, the hospital changes your job title to PCT and they train you to do phlebotomy, EKG's, Accu-Checks and ect. Each state has their own set of guidelines for the required amount of training. I don't know why is seems to be so shocking that a CNA is allowed to do more than change diapers!!! I personally think the CNA course should be a bit longer and more in depth. CNA's are not being taught about things that are essential for them to perform better care. IMO
I agree! There's been a very wrong impression put out CNA's; many of us do a lot more than wipe butts! (in NO way am I downplaying the role of a LTC CNA by any means either- I used to be one) I'm now in the UK and am getting to know their system. They have "Care Assistants" who work in LTC and home health and Nursing Auxiliary/Nursing Support/Nursing Assistants who work in clinical settings like Hospitals, etc. A Care Assistant isn't even able (by scope) to take a blood pressure without being certified to do so, to help illustrate the difference.
The hospital basically changes the title for the job. They provide training for tasks beyond what is done in the long term care facility and they want everyone concerned to think there is a difference because there is. Not everyone who has worked in a LTC facility is hired to work in a hospital.
Exactly. I was just going to mention. If CNA's are expected to do more for less then management might have problems. On the other hand of course, the corporate world has basically managed to convince CNA's that they are powerless, so most would probably just do what they were told.
Oh okay Im not sure how it is here in FL out in facilities. I thought they were the same.. Im sure I find out once I start working. Thanks guys for all the help, advice!:redbeathe
They'd be a fool to do it unless they are going to get paid! It just shows how " the system " will try to save money anywhere/anyhow they can. What needs to happen here is , credit should be given to the L P N 's for all of the work and honor to the job! They put up with alot between RN's & CNA's:rolleyes:
I sure wouldn't want to be the RN responsible for an unlicensed health care worker giving any kind of medication. Nor would I want to be a patient in the hospital where you work that would get rid of veteran LPNs in favor of inexperienced CNAs no matter how "extensive" the training. No matter how extensive, you didn't go to nursing school.
Intubate patients? Meaning giving the proper sedation and using the laryngoscope to place the ET tube into the trachea without damaging the vocal folks and then ordering and reading CXR for placement?
I think not. I'm an ACLS certified LPN with PALS and NRP. We learn about intubation but the facility where I practiced only allows the docs or an advanced practice nurse to intubate...never an RN or an LPN....and a CNA doing this is just unthinkable. If my patient got intubated, my role was to push the meds (IV push is in my scope) and assist the docs as needed (handing equipment, push more meds etc).
I have a license that can be lost just as easily as an RNs. If I should screw up in my scope of practice, I am the one resonsible as it is my license. The RN is responsible for covering what it outside of my scope and it then becomes their license on the line. I work in a state with a very broad scope of practice for LPNs, so there is little that my RN charge nurse must do for me. Having no license, the RN is responsible for everything you do. Give the wrong med, set the rate too high, your patient has a reaction to the medication that you give....its all on the RN which would not be a fun position for that RN to be in.
I'm my area, its common for CNA's to give medications. All we have to do is take a week long class in order to be qualified to pass meds. I'm an RN student but I'm also a CNA and I give meds at my job.
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lina.561
171 Posts
Patient Care Techs are basicly the same as CNA. Im currently in a PCA course and when I do my state exam and pass, I will then hold my Certification, CNA. nurse assistant.
Am I wrong here?