Want to be trained as a CNA/PCT.

azcna · Mar 4, 2009

My advice to you is to not write off geriatrics before you try it (or have you tried it?) I didn't want to work in a nursing home either, but I am, and I love my job :)

Unless you specialize in peds, a lot of your patients WILL be elderly. It might be nice to get some LTC experience to better learn how to handle those situations.

From my limited experience the nursing home has taught me several things;

-how to handle death

-how to multi-task, and use my time wisely, and prioritize

-how to interact with complete strangers in somewhat awkward circumstances

-basic nursing care

The list goes on, but those are the main things. In addition to that, if you get on your nurses good side they will let you help/witness treatments, wound care, and other more "hospital-like" things. I would at least give it a chance anyhow, because most people say they don't want to work in LTC, but most people do it to get experience.

Good luck!

atla · Mar 4, 2009

Hi, I'm Stephanie, 23, just became a CNA. My mom has been a nurse (LPN then RN) for 12 years, and was a CNA before that. She has spent her entire career in Geriatrics, first LTC facility then home health.

When I decided to take a CNA course, it was mostly to get out of telemarketing and try out the field of nursing. I thought that I'd like it, but vowed not to spend a lot of time in Geriatrics, like my mom. I figured I'd put my year in, then go to a hospital. When I started the class, my instructor said she'd tried a lot of different specialities, but found her passion in Geriatrics. Inwardly, I thought she might be crazy. I can see stability in Geriatrics.. but passion? No way.

Then I started clinicals. My first love was a little blind lady. She had MRSA and was in isolation. So I dutifully put on my PPE and hung out with her while she ate, letting her know what food was what and where her fork was. She always wanted an extra cookie, and I always went out of my way, donned my extensive PPE, just to check on her every couple of hours. She was pretty lonely, being in isolation. My last clinical day she was no longer isolated, and looked so amazing. It was great to see her like that.

My second love was a lady who I never saw outside of the dining room. I was never working with the CNA who was assigned to her, but she really needed a lot of encouragement to eat, so each clinical day I took the time to sit with her for a few minutes and chat with her, encouraging her to take a bite every now and again. Each bite was a little victory.

Another lady, who I never really got the chance to work with or bond with, I still found amazing. Her whole room was covered with her art, and she had a canvas set up to paint. When I complimented her on my favorite, which was a trapeze artist, she told me that she used to be a trapeze artist in her younger years. She was pretty old, but still quite able-bodied. I guess all that exercise paid off!

Each day when I went home, I worried about the residents. When I finished clinicals, I was surprised to find myself sad about not being able to work there, since it was over an hour away.

After clinicals, I applied to 8 different facilites, including LTC and ALF, but no hospitals. I took the first job I got offered, at an ALF in an alzheimer's/dementia unit. Now I work with 24 elderly residents who will never remember my name. Each day is a first impression. My favorite will ask me every day where I'm from, why I moved to IL, if I'm married. Another will ask me hourly why she's there, how she got there, how old she is. Each time she'll be surprised. There is another gentleman that I shower every morning, and I can tell what kind of day he's going to have by how well he can tie his shoes. Some days it's heartbreaking. Every day, it's rewarding.

Would I still like to try different specialties when I become an RN? Sure. Am I just biding my time in Geriatrics until I have enough experience for a hospital, definitely not. I love my residents, and will be terribly sad to leave them. (So much that I've considered trying to work there when I become an RN, lol.)

Anyway, I guess I'm just trying, at length, to echo what azcna said. Don't write off geriatrics until you've tried it. You might be surprised.

rdstrasser · Mar 5, 2009

You're right. And thank you both for the advice. I went ahead and went to the nursing home facility and applied for the job. We interview on Tuesday and they said they will let us know by that afternoon whether or not we have been accepted into the program. And you know I might like geriatrics. I saw this lady today in a wheelchair with a nurse assisting her getting some kleenexes and it just warmed my heart to see her laughing and joking with the nurse. It might just be my calling ... who knows. But I am glad for the advice.

I just know that all my life I have always wanted to be in the ER or the OR. It's just what I have felt drawn to the most persay. So ... either way ... no matter what I decide I know that I am well on my way to doing whatever it is that makes me happy.

Another thing I found out is they are training for PCT's not CNA's and I researched that ... come to find out a PCT has a little bit more training. That makes me feel even better. And it's only 4 weeks! I'm so excited that I can barely contain myself. I will most definitely come back here and let you guys know. I am sure I will need all the encouragement I can get. I have these butterflies in my stomach ... and not the bad ... stressful kind. The excited ... can not wait kind.

Anyhow ... thank you both so much for your time in replying.

atla · Mar 5, 2009

I'm glad you took the first step. Sometimes, that's the hardest one :)

Let us know how it goes, and if you get accepted!

bioniclewoman · Mar 5, 2009

TCC has a CNA course and I belive that Dunbar Highschool does too. You don't have to be in highschool either to attend. I'm sure there are others you can find if you do some research.

You would have to work with the elderly in a hospital too. The hospitals are mostly full of elderly patients. They are just sicker than the patients in the nursing homes. Younger patients are rare unless you are at a pedi hospital. On most floors you will be toileting, bathing, and doing vitals all day. I don't belive most hospitals in this area have CNA's in the OR or ER. Usually they have orderlys or transporters. So maybe you could look into doing that.

Most hospitals say you have to have experience, but if they like you or just really need you they will hire you. I know lots of CNA that started in a hospital. While your in school you could get another position in the hospital like with nutrition or environmental. Hospitals like to hire from within.

rdstrasser · Mar 5, 2009

Thank you for your advice. I know I would not be able to work as a CNA/PCT in the ER or the OR. I just know that eventually that is where I want to end up. Thanks to you guys I am certainly more comfortable with the idea of taking care of the elderly. You know that moment when you decide what you want to do with the rest of your life ... that perfect moment of clarity ... I had one of those. And I just know that I making the right decision with this. And I am going to see about getting a position as an orderly or a transporter. Heard of those. But I want to work with people. Just hate that we all have to start from the bottom up. Not that I do not understand why. Of course people's lives are in our hands. That is the point of extended training and hospitals requiring experience. I guess I was just a little scared and nervous that I would always have to work at a nursing home. But that really isn't the case, is it? And I don't have to specialize in geriatrics if I don't want to when it comes time ... I will know exactly what I want the most and the more experience I have in other areas ... the more certain I will be about what I want to do.

Again thank you all for your time. I really appreciate it. This has been a life long dream for me and I just want so desperately to make it happen. Just hate that I have to start at the bottom of the food chain lol. Many regrets on not getting in earlier. Just have to put those aside and move on up. Have a great day!

rdstrasser · Mar 5, 2009

I heard TCC has a training course. Did not know about the high school though. Thanks for the tips. I will most certainly check into them.

atla · Mar 5, 2009

rdstrasser, do you watch Grey's Anatomy?

rdstrasser · Mar 5, 2009

lol ... what makes you think I watch Grey's? Of course I watch Grey's. Is that a bad thing?

Prettyladie · Mar 5, 2009

hey rdstrasser. may i ask where you applied. that is great they are training you as a PCT. i went to enroll at PCI health in richardson for PCT and they wanted to charge 8900 so i ended up not going.

atla · Mar 5, 2009

Lol, no. I adore Grey's. I just wanted to point something out. You said you regret not getting into the field earlier.

Remember the recent Grey's episode where the couple came in, and all the male interns and young residents kept coming up and asking the guy what was wrong. The guy kept saying "No, not him. Not him." Then the chief walked in and the guy said "Him! Finally, someone who isn't a kid." He had lost a.. recreational item in his rectum, remember?

That's one good thing to starting later! I think if you become a nurse or what-have-you in your 30s, your 30s, you'll still give the impression of having more experience and maturity and that will make your patient's more comfortable!