What Are The Differences Between CNA/PCT? Different PCT Certification?

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Specializes in PCT, RN.

Hello!

I have a current CNA license that I've had for about 5 years. I was employed full-time for about 3 years and then 2 years ago I took a step back out of the CNA work d/t finding a better-paying office job and better hours.

I'm planning on starting nursing school in the fall and this will require me to get back onto the healthcare horse due to availability and needing something more flexible, and frankly I've really missed working in healthcare.

The catch is that I do not want to return to working in LTC. I'm completely burnt out on the LTC aspect of being a CNA, so I've been looking at hospital jobs. Most hospital jobs I've found have been looking for PCTs, rather than CNAs. I'm just wondering, what is the difference between the two? Is a PCT certification required (even if having a valid CNA certification)? If so, has anyone had good experience with an online certification?

Thanks!

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It depends where you live or what the hospital requires. A PCT is usually given extended duties. Like drawing blood, EKG, possibly putting in and d/c catheters, starting IV', dressing changes and blood sugar checks.

Where I live they want I to have your CNA. It should say it in the job description. Having your CNA may give u a leg up.

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Specializes in PCT, RN.
It depends where you live or what the hospital requires. A PCT is usually given extended duties. Like drawing blood, EKG, possibly putting in and d/c catheters, starting IV', dressing changes and blood sugar checks.

Where I live they want I to have your CNA. It should say it in the job description. Having your CNA may give u a leg up.

Good to know! I'll keep an eye out for specifics on the online job postings. It would be pretty cool to get in as a PTC with a CNA license. I don't want to spend $900 to get certified, just to end up as a nurse in two years anyways.

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Most hospital's will train you to be a multi skilled tech, but still need your CNA. First semester of nursing school in my state allows you to apply for a CNA license. I am debating to go further with CNA training prior to nursing school. I can draw blood and do EKGS but, I don't feel I am great at blood draws.

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Specializes in PCT, RN.
Most hospital's will train you to be a multi skilled tech, but still need your CNA. First semester of nursing school in my state allows you to apply for a CNA license. I am debating to go further with CNA training prior to nursing school. I can draw blood and do EKGS but, I don't feel I am great at blood draws.

Well I do already have a current CNA license, so I'm set there at least.

But if I were you, I wouldn't worry about paying and taking the time to do a CNA course if you're starting nursing school soon. In my CNA course, we didn't even learn how to draw blood. The course is usually kinda pricey and takes up a lot of time.

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Every hospital has their own hiring criteria, so look online at some local hospitals and see what they require for their PCTs. As long as your CNA is still valid that's probably all you need on paper. Some require previous experience and your LTC experience should count.

I wouldnt waste time paying for additional classes in other stuff that the hospital will probably teach you on the job, because nepotism runs rampant in hospitals so knowing someone probably goes further than saying I took a class in this or that. Its sad but true.

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Well I do already have a current CNA license, so I'm set there at least.

But if I were you, I wouldn't worry about paying and taking the time to do a CNA course if you're starting nursing school soon. In my CNA course, we didn't even learn how to draw blood. The course is usually kinda pricey and takes up a lot of time.

Probably wouldn't start nursing school for two year's hoping CNA with fiancé LPN salary while renting an apartment will help us to be able to survive, with one kid and returning to nursing school.

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Every hospital has their own hiring criteria, so look online at some local hospitals and see what they require for their PCTs. As long as your CNA is still valid that's probably all you need on paper. Some require previous experience and your LTC experience should count.

I wouldnt waste time paying for additional classes in other stuff that the hospital will probably teach you on the job, because nepotism runs rampant in hospitals so knowing someone probably goes further than saying I took a class in this or that. Its sad but true.

The hospital I work for requires the PCT certificate in addition to CNA certificate. Some hospitals may train a person to be a PCT but unless you get certificate the next job that you might want to work at in the future will not hire you without the certificate even though you trained and worked as one. In my opinion it's always best just to go ahead and get pct certificate for any future jobs that may require it.

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Specializes in PCT, RN.
The hospital I work for requires the PCT certificate in addition to CNA certificate. Some hospitals may train a person to be a PCT but unless you get certificate the next job that you might want to work at in the future will not hire you without the certificate even though you trained and worked as one. In my opinion it's always best just to go ahead and get pct certificate for any future jobs that may require it.

Well honestly, I looked into PCT certification programs and it just wouldn't be worth it. The ones I found require 8-11 months of courses and I'm beginning nursing school this fall AS WELL AS working full time. I just wouldn't have the time to do all three. Plus, there's not a point in me getting PCT certified in (lets round up) a year for $900 (cheapest I found) when I'm going to be an RN a year after that.

The hospital I'm hoping to get into employs around 5 of my RN friends on all different units, so I'm hoping that with their back up, stating that I am an efficient employee, this will be sufficient to last me through nursing school. And, with all that being said, I wouldn't necessarily need to worry about a "next PCT job" because I would hopefully not need it.

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You could work as a pct/ nursing student while in nursing program, it's a great way to let a potential hospital see your work ethics and possibly employee you once you become a nurse.

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Specializes in PCT, RN.
You could work as a pct/ nursing student while in nursing program, it's a great way to let a potential hospital see your work ethics and possibly employee you once you become a nurse.

That's what I'm hoping for :)

I put on my resume that I have 3 years of CNA experience and am beginning nursing school in the fall so hopefully those two things will help boost my chances.

One of the girls I'm friends with there spoke to her boss and her boss seemed interested so she told me to keep an eye out for a call or an email. It's in the CVIMCU so I'm excited to see what it's like. Plus it's 2nd shift, which is my favorite.

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That's what I'm hoping for :)

I put on my resume that I have 3 years of CNA experience and am beginning nursing school in the fall so hopefully those two things will help boost my chances.

One of the girls I'm friends with there spoke to her boss and her boss seemed interested so she told me to keep an eye out for a call or an email. It's in the CVIMCU so I'm excited to see what it's like. Plus it's 2nd shift, which is my favorite.

Knowing someone that is already employed at the hospital is a big plus. That's how I got my job as PCT, as it seems it is common practice for hospitals to hire someone that knows employees there already. Good luck, with your background as CNA, and starting nursing school, you have a good chance of getting that job you want.

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