thinking about doing my CNA and PCT

[tprashad]

well ..since i am out of a job..i was doing a non-nursing job(timewarner cable).working there wasnt for me..well anyway...i am in a 2 year college..almost done with my pre reqs for nursing..since i have time on my hands..was thinking of doing my CNA and Pct CERTS during the summer...so i can get my foot into the door..and in OCT i will apply for the RN program at my school...do you guys think i am doing the right thing? i need to gain some experience..so thats why i am thinking of doing my CNA and Pct..

[babbz]

CNA has endless job oppourtunities and if you are in New York the starting pay is usually never less than $12/hour so not bad to start with. They also have many oppourtunities to do overtime if you are in-between school and you can save money.

I am CNA & PCT but unfortunately the CNA jobs that I have had the oppourtunity to take interfere with my school. I too am a nursing student with most of my classes after 6:30pm so I cannot take the 7am-7pm shifts that I have been offered so far. I am still looking for a 7am-3pm/8am-4pm morning shifts which are popular and hence scarce.

CNA's are hired easier than PCT's though. From experience as a PCT (newly certified) looking for work as a PCT is hard because they want someone with 2+ years experience as a CNA first which I don't have but I will keep looking. I just want to get my foot in the door as a CNA and then move up to PCT after several months since Iam already certified.

So definitely get CNA if you can but I really don't know about the PCT cert. since many places they won't hire PCT's with no CNA experience. You might wanna get PCT now and get it over with though. CNA will definitely get you through nursing school and once you are in they are pretty good with changing schedules. I did work at a nursing home with just my HHA cert. that was pretty cool but you can get more pay with CNA certs.

[tprashad]

hey thanks for the information..so your saying i should just stick to getting my CNA.? or should i just take all 2 certs since i have time on my hands..?how long are these certs good for..and where can i start looking for a CNA job..thank you

-tony

[babbz]

You have to really decide. Just from experience it's hard to get a PCT job without at least 1 year of CNA experience so you might wanna take PCT later. But if you have both the time and money now then you might wanna do it now before you start getting too busy with work and college courses.

Some places hire those with CNA certs but who haven't taken the state boards yet but if they hire you, you must take the state boards within like 3-4 months. Most places want you to have both your certificate and state board license although after finishing the CNA course you might have to wait a month or more to take the state boards depending on what city/state you are in and how busy they are with students.