What is a

PCA is a PCA pump, or Patient Controlled Anesthesia pump. PCU I don't know. Yes, internships are usually paid but not very much.

Hi-

At the hospital where I work, we use the initials in two different ways.

1. PCA- Patient Care Assistant; our unit secretary who also has their CNA license and if the staffing is short takes a group of patients, and then we have no secretary .

2. PCA- Patient Controlled Analgesia; a patient controlled pain pump that usually has a lockout and sometimes a loading dose. Usually MS is used as the drug of choice.

Further, my hospital offers a Nurse Extern position that is only offered to students in a BSN program. This position is between the Junior and Senior year (in the summer) and is paid. I believe that the rate is around $14-15 an hour, around the LPN rate. This position allows students to function in a nurse-like position under the direct supervision of a RN.

Hope this helps!!

Could PCU be patient care unit?

:) Welcome to the AllNurses Forums :)

I’ve enjoyed your writing style. :)

A returning student,

Angels’

You know, they talk about unsafe abbreviations on drs. orders, but heck, there's two definitions for PCAs.