PRN PCA during undergrad

[Member 83232]

The hospital close to my school has several PRN PCA positions and I was already planning on volunteering there, but having a paid position so I don't have to juggle as much would be great. My hospital only requires CPR certification training, which I can get from the Red Cross . I'm afraid though that the fact that I've never had a job and I'm an entering freshmen in college will make them pass right over me. Should I even bother trying? I could always do volunteer work only this year and get a different job. Those of you that have experience as PCAs, when did you become one and what experience did you have beforehand?

I know I have plenty of time to get work experience before I apply, but from what I've read PCA work seems really rewarding if a little messy. Besides, in a couple of years I'm afraid I'll be too busy trying to do undergrad research and studying for the MCAT to do much else. My instinct is to be proactive about all of it to make sure I can both satisfy ADCOMs and enjoy every opportunity that I can.

Also, I guess I'm kind of dense with my user name. Before I created an account, I thought there was some kind of naming convention since everyone showed up a s Member #######. Anyway, any help would be appreciated.

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[TheMightySmiter]

The hospital close to my school has several PRN PCA positions and I was already planning on volunteering there, but having a paid position so I don't have to juggle as much would be great. My hospital only requires CPR certification training, which I can get from the Red Cross . I'm afraid though that the fact that I've never had a job and I'm an entering freshmen in college will make them pass right over me. Should I even bother trying? I could always do volunteer work only this year and get a different job. Those of you that have experience as PCAs, when did you become one and what experience did you have beforehand?

I know I have plenty of time to get work experience before I apply, but from what I've read PCA work seems really rewarding if a little messy. Besides, in a couple of years I'm afraid I'll be too busy trying to do undergrad research and studying for the MCAT to do much else. My instinct is to be proactive about all of it to make sure I can both satisfy ADCOMs and enjoy every opportunity that I can.

Also, I guess I'm kind of dense with my user name. Before I created an account, I thought there was some kind of naming convention since everyone showed up a s Member #######. Anyway, any help would be appreciated.

I have worked as a PCA for two years. I was on post-op telemetry for a year and a half, and now I have been on rehab for six months. You're right that it's messy but rewarding work. It is one of the best jobs in health care to get you used to gross things. 🙂 I have had excellent experience as a PCA--I've learned so much about the health care system, and about why I want to be a physician and not a nurse.

Most hospitals will require at least one year of related experience before hiring you on as a PCA. PCAs generally get this experience in a nursing home, but I had two years of volunteer EMT experience. Most hospitals also require a CNA license, but some do not. I volunteered as an EMT during college, and then decided to go to med school. I started working PRN as a PCA during the second semester of my post-bacc and turned it into a full-time position when I finished classes. If you can find a place where you only need to work a few shifts per month, this is ideal when you're studying for the MCAT and taking a heavy course schedule. You can find either eight- or twelve-hour shifts depending on the hospital's set-up. I've worked both, and twelves are not that bad. They're ideal if you want more hours but only can work one day a week or so.

Let me know if you want more info! I think being a PCA is a great experience, but you will probably need to work somewhere other than a hospital for a year before starting.

 

[lobo.solo]

I would apply regardless and if they don't hire you start volunteer there. When another position opens up, you will have your volunteer experience + any other you could get through another job. I recommend working in a hospital (if you can) instead of volunteering because you get to do more stuff and you get paid. Good luck

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I would apply regardless and if they don't hire you start volunteer there. When another position opens up, you will have your volunteer experience + any other you could get through another job. I recommend working in a hospital (if you can) instead of volunteering because you get to do more stuff and you get paid. Good luck

I can say with confidence that volunteer experience in a hospital will likely not replace actual CNA experience in a nursing home or hospice center. You will not do any direct patient care as a volunteer. It is expected that you will have one year of direct patient care experience before being hired in a hospital.

 

[DoctorLacrosse]

I recently got hired as a CNA with no hospital experience and no CNA license (took the course though). I really sold myself at interviews and they seemed to love me. it's worth a shot applying, and you never know, you might get lucky like I did! Good luck

 

[Member 83232]

Thanks for your answers guys. I guess I'll give it a shot and get my CPR certification and then apply. If I don't get it, I'll ask them what I should do to get the proper experience to be hired.

 

[Fivo]

If you're in California OP, look up the Clinical Care Extender program. You're basically working as a CNA for free.

As for me, I am not fond of the "messy" work as it doesn't help my view towards patients in any way.

 

[Doctor246853]

The hospital close to my school has several PRN PCA positions and I was already planning on volunteering there, but having a paid position so I don't have to juggle as much would be great. My hospital only requires CPR certification training, which I can get from the Red Cross . I'm afraid though that the fact that I've never had a job and I'm an entering freshmen in college will make them pass right over me. Should I even bother trying? I could always do volunteer work only this year and get a different job. Those of you that have experience as PCAs, when did you become one and what experience did you have beforehand?

I know I have plenty of time to get work experience before I apply, but from what I've read PCA work seems really rewarding if a little messy. Besides, in a couple of years I'm afraid I'll be too busy trying to do undergrad research and studying for the MCAT to do much else. My instinct is to be proactive about all of it to make sure I can both satisfy ADCOMs and enjoy every opportunity that I can.

Also, I guess I'm kind of dense with my user name. Before I created an account, I thought there was some kind of naming convention since everyone showed up a s Member #######. Anyway, any help would be appreciated.

I am also doing PRN PCT at my hospital. Of course apply anyways, what do you have to lose? It is better than part time/full time because you can work as little as one day a month to many days a week. This way you can fit in other ecs/studying time if needed. Im working a lot this summer but going to once a week when school starts 👍

 

[235009]

why i clicked on this thread:
PRN = as needed
PCA = patient-controlled analgesia

....i see i was mistaken

 

[BlueLabel]

why i clicked on this thread:
PRN = as needed
PCA = patient-controlled analgesia

....i see i was mistaken

More or less word-for-word what I intended to post. Kudos, sir.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

If you're in California OP, look up the Clinical Care Extender program. You're basically working as a CNA for free.

As for me, I am not fond of the "messy" work as it doesn't help my view towards patients in any way.

Have you been a CNA?

 

[Fivo]

Have you been a CNA?

Nope, but in the Clinical Care Extender program, just like the CNA does the dirty work for the nurse, you do the dirty work for the CNA or work directly beside them every shift. You do exactly what they do/don't want to do (minus bp readings and similar) and you don't get paid.

Have you been a Clinical Care Extender?