|
Upcoming RN
(offline)
- Joined: Dec 2010
- Location:
- Posts: 42
|
Mon Jan 31, 2011 11:01 am
Hi all, What's the difference between a nursing assistant and a personal care assistant? Can I work as a PCA without a cert 3 in aged care, given that I have done first aid training in CPR and basic life support? I have experience working at McDonald's (no jokes please) and at two hospitality establishments (Anglican Retirement Village Food Services and Cafe Belle Fleur in Glenhaven). I am keen to get some work experience in either the healthcare/medical industries or the aged care industry before I start university, just so that I can decide whether to pursue nursing or alternatively, medicine. Being able to use my training in taking obs, CPR and defib and emergency response to assist the elderly would give me great satisfaction in knowing that I was part of industry of people who care and are making a difference. Obviously it sounds very idealistic, but I think nursing is a very honourable profession that I would like to be a part of. Thanks for reading this, looking forward to your responses, kind regards from James
|
|
|
|
lozzygirl
(offline)
- Joined: Jan 2011
- Location:
- Posts: 6
|
Feb 02, 2011, 10:07 am
Most places you will require a cert III, or be studying to obtain one.
It is an amazing industry to work in that gives you heaps of personal satisfaction.
Maybe call around your local aged care organisations and tell them you'd like to volunteer to gain some experience. But know however, you will NOT be able to practice CPR, defib or anything like that, on any patient.
Maybe you should look into doing your cert III in aged care, by the end of it you'll know what you want to do, and you'll have heaps of experience and learn so much! Something to think about anyway :)
Lauren
|
|
|
|
Upcoming RN
(offline)
- Joined: Dec 2010
- Location:
- Posts: 42
|
Feb 02, 2011, 08:03 pm
I have applied to study cert 3 in pathology (specimen collecting) and to study cert 3 in health services assistance (nursing work in acute care work), and my enrolment is pending for cert 3 hsa. Will enquire about nursing assistant jobs and I have already applied to hills private hospital to become a nursing assistant (eating disorders and mental health). Thanks for all of your kind advice, lozzy. Love and thanks, from James
|
|
|
|
lozzygirl
(offline)
- Joined: Jan 2011
- Location:
- Posts: 6
|
Feb 04, 2011, 06:43 am
Your very welcome :)
Good luck with all your applications!!
x
|
|
|
|
Nellie50
(offline)
- Joined: Mar 2011
- Location:
- Posts: 10
|
Mar 04, 2011, 09:04 am
James, Hi I was thinking of doing the Cert 3 in Patholgy, have you started the course and what is it like? I am an Ain in Aged care and want to branch out away from aged care. Nellie50
|
|
|
|
Schizo
(offline)
- Joined: Jan 2009
- Location:
- Posts: 239
|
Mar 06, 2011, 07:04 am
In pathology, you need to constantly apply your skills od drawing bloods or inserting cannulas otherwise you will technically loose your "certification"...where I am working now, I have very little chance to re-site cannulas, so they are considering my "qualifications"...lol...based on lack of practice. Darn...I only got to re-site a simple sub cut line 3 days ago and that does not count...sob.
|
|
|
|
ihna
(offline)
- Joined: Aug 2011
- Location:
- Posts: 13
|
Aug 31, 2011, 06:50 pm
Thanks for the reply friends!!
|
|
|
|
Upcoming RN
(offline)
- Joined: Dec 2010
- Location:
- Posts: 42
|
Sep 03, 2011, 05:12 am
Schizo, I didn't mean nurse pathologist, just meant general traineeship-qualified pathology collector. Obviously I would like to work towards critical care or surgical, where as an RN during my degree, but I will get there after I actually get into my Bachelor's. Right now I'm just focusing on my year 12 and trying to do a lot of general interest studies in the field of nursing, get work experience wherever I can and if possible (observational only-in emergency or medical/surgical experience in a typical ward, just assisting with ADL's and learning how to efficiently take observations, but not actually sign any paperwork or write anything in the chart, obviously). May I ask approximately how old you are Schizo? 28?
|
|
|
You need to be logged in to get access to the forums. You can do so here
