Training before becoming a Nurse

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Hi Nurses,

I am currently awaiting replies to start nursing school (9/2009) and I wanted to know if I should take a Patient Care Tech or Medical Assistant course? I wanted to get my feet wet before beginning nursing school, but I wanted to ask a practicing nurse if it would be beneficial to me? Any replies appreciated if I posted in the wrong area please forgive me, as I am still new to the site.

Thank You,

Bryana

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Specializes in Cardiac.

The PCT would be more beneficial to you. As an MA you would work in a clinic/dr's office. As a PCT, you would work in a hospital in an ED, ICU, MS floor, etc. I was even a PCT in L&D. Lots of experience to be had as a PCT.

Good luck!

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A PCT job would be helpful. In fact, ANY job in healthcare would be beneficial! However, direct patient contact would expose you to more things to see. Therefore, will help you along when studying and learning things in school. Best of luck! ~ Kali

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I worked as a tech for a little bit while I was finishing nursing school and hated it. I can honestly say I make a much better nurse than i do a tech, but some people feel you should 'have to' work as a tech before you are a nurse. I don't.

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Hi Bryana, I definately agree that working as a PCT will be beneficial to you. I am a Social Worker in a hospital covering ICU and a Surgical Trauma unit as well as Trauma Alerts. I have no direct patient contact in this role as I perform social service duties. However I have learned a lot just by being on the units, reading charts, listening, talking to patients and staff and being able to ask questions. Nurses I work with have also taught me things since they know I was a student (I graduated in May and passed my boards earlier this month). So I say go for it.

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If you have the resources (time, money, course availability, etc) to take some kind of health tech coursework prior to starting nursing school, it can't hurt and can only help you learn not only more about health care and patient care, but about your own strengths, weaknesses and preferences.

Is there an area that you are particularly interested in? See if there are any roles that you could train for or be trained on-the-job. Is there an area that you feel particularly weak in or concerned about? For example, if you feel concerned about your ability to deal with sick patients or bodily functions, you could train as a nursing assistant to get exposure to this early on.

Another consideration is unit secretary training. They don't do direct patient care like nursing assistants/PCTs, but do get to learn more of the non-patient care activities of nurses such as transcribing MD orders, sending orders to pharmacy, etc.

An added benefit of tech training prior to nursing school is that you may then be able to work part-time during nursing school in a job that complements your nursing studies and that can be scheduled around your courses and clinical days.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Ortho, Case Management, blabla.

I recommend the PCT/NCA/CNA route. It will help you learn good time management skills and lots of tips/tricks.

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