I'm a first year nursing student. I just got a job as a one on one caregiver for seniors. Some of the cases require CNA quality care, which, I've mostly been trained for, but I am in no way certified. Some cases also require basic care, which could basically be called a "companion" as well as monitoring medicine, eating and helping around the house.
I just interviewed with someone seeking daily care while she's battling Cirrhosis. I'm familiar with this, but she is also incontinent. If I go through with this I'd be transferring her, monitoring her, but also helping her with the incontinence (clean up, changing). I CAN do this, but I feel like it's crossing into CNA territory. I'm not paid very well, and I'm not saying it's about the money, but when I'm cleaning soiled items and making contact with patients, I feel it should be done by the appropriate person, who is trained and paid accordingly. I want this job, but I don't know if it's right that I'm doing it. I'm not sure why my boss suggested it when she's knows I'm not certified, but maybe she's hoping I'll do it anyway since it's less money. I really want this experience, but not if it's for a company that puts untrained/under paid people to work.
Where I live completion of a nursing fundamentals course = CNA certification. This may be different for you, I don't know, and I certainly wasn't trying to be mean. However I do believe that the knowledge you have being a nursing student is waaaaaaaaaaaay more than someone who took a weekend CNA course and therefore you are more than qualified for that type of assignment. It doesn't sound clinically *heavy* to take care of one incontinent patient. You state yourself that you CAN do this job, so it's up to you to determine what it's worth. Wages in this area, you would probably make in the $8-9/hour range for this type of work.[/quote']
It's way more than a weekend (160 hours to be exact) and a couple of semesters in nursing school doesn't give you the hands on experience required. It isn't hard, but you can't learn it from a book.
Actually CNA's DO hold a license that you CAN lose! It's called CERTIFIED for a reason.
It is not a license. It is a certification.
It is required in every situation to be licensed as a nurse to practice as a nurse. It is not required in every situation by law to be a CNA to work in a nursing assistant role. Nursing homes are required to hire CNAs for Medicare reimbursement purposes, but again, not everyone with the title NA/PCA/PCT is a CNA.
CNA's do have a license. They must register with the state and for that they need that license which renews every 2 years.
No, as others have said, it's a certification, not a license. Your certification says you completed a training course. When I graduated from nursing school, I also got a certificate stating I completed training. But I wasn't a LPN yet. Once I passed the boards, I became a LICENSED practical nurse. It is this licensure that allows me to practice practical nursing. And I am held legally accountable for my practice. I can be held legally accountable for my actions as a nurse. I can be sued. As a CNA you are not accountable in such a manner. There's a reason you work under the license of a LPN or a RN. CNAs do NOT have a "CNA license". This is a fact.
OMG! We do have a license under our certifation as as CNA. Unless it is different in Florida where we do have a certification as a CNA and that has a license number. Certifications you don't renew every year, licenses you do. CNA License would renew every 2 years.
OMG! We do have a license under our certifation as as CNA. Unless it is different in Florida where we do have a certification as a CNA and that has a license number. Certifications you don't renew every year licenses you do. CNA License would renew every 2 years.[/quote']
My state ID has a license number, but I am not a licensed driver. I do believe there is 1 state that has LNAs (licensed nurse aid). I don't believe it's Fl though.
Yes, they give you a number in my state too, and it expires every two years. But that does not mean it is a license. You are certified to have initially gotten the training and later maintained the skills that a CNA has.
You are not licensed to do anything. It is possible to get those jobs legally without that certification. Someone with years of experience could probably get past HR without the certification. The certification makes it easier and cheaper for employers to hire nurse aides.
OMG! We do have a license under our certifation as as CNA. Unless it is different in Florida where we do have a certification as a CNA and that has a license number. Certifications you don't renew every year, licenses you do. CNA License would renew every 2 years.
OMG! No you don't! I'm telling you, there's no such thing as a "CNA license".
I told OP in a different thread about the differences. CNAs are not licensed, we are certified. There are no legalities involved , no boards to pass. Just a competency exam. :)
Stupid question: What's the difference between a PCT and a CNA? I'm curious about their role responsibilities. I know you have to go to a training program and get certified as a CNA, but what about a PCT?
As for job demands, is there an advantage for one over the other?
Stupid question: What's the difference between a PCT and a CNA? I'm curious about their role responsibilities. I know you have to go to a training program and get certified as a CNA, but what about a PCT?
As for job demands, is there an advantage for one over the other?
Any info will help - thanks!
At the hospitals in my area, there is no difference in scope. They are all called PCA's at the hospital I work at.
In some places CNAs are CNAs, and PCTs are CNAs with additional training in phlebotomy and EKG. There is a program for this at a local technical college.
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Glycerine82, LPN
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