Patient Care Technician
Below is a description of what it is like being a PCT while, at the same time, a full-time nursing school student! Jackson Quiroz began his education on a different track. Originally, he received his Bachelor of Arts in Education and Communication at Concordia University Texas. He found philanthropy super intriguing throughout schooling and discovered, the best way to embrace that, was to go back to school for nursing. He is currently pursuing his Bachelor's at Western Governors University of Nursing. While in nursing school, he is working at Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Lakeway as a Patient Care Technician.
What did you do throughout high school to prepare for your studies?
The same technique he used through high school has also proven effective for his college success. Jackson enjoys being organized to complete his work effectively and efficiently. He aids his organization by creating checklists to stay up to date with all of his classwork. He says that just “this simple, yet effective tool” has helped him throughout his academic career.
What classes in college or high school have helped you in the real world?
Mr. Quiroz explains the convenience of taking Pathophysiology and Microbiology has been beneficial. This would correlate with high school classes such as Biology and the Physiology portion of an Anatomy and Physiology class. Quiroz references that, in his experience through healthcare, he has learned the importance of providing the safest and most proficient care to patients. He continues with how important sanitization and cleanliness are and, especially, how both classes have respectively taught how easily humans can obtain a sickness. How even simple things in their day-to-day environment would worsen or cause illness; and that is “always something” that should be considered “in the hospital setting when working with patients”.
What is your most effective study strategy or ritual?
Once again, Quiroz harps on the importance of a checklist. It is also important to know that what works for someone else may not work for you and that finding your study strategy could mean a process of trial and error. Anytime Mr.Quiroz begins a class, he makes sure to chronologically line up how he wants to get through the course material. Checklists are a great way to choose how you want to succeed. They allow you to make sure whatever you do is getting done promptly before the deadline. According to Quiroz, in addition to personal freedom, a checklist can provide a sense of pride and motivation for more, especially when you physically get to check something off. Lastly, he tends to pay better attention with a little music in the background. He heavily encourages the artist Lofi!
What is your best piece of advice for rising seniors and college freshmen?
Quiroz rounds up his love for philanthropy with an additional love for self. His best advice to be given to rising seniors and college freshmen is to continue their education with nothing but a positive attitude. He refers to positive attitudes when deciding your career path would “make all the difference”. He adds that positivity will not only help in healthcare and education but also life. As for advice specifically for someone wanting to be in healthcare, if possible, receive a part-time job in a hospital or clinic. The experience would be immeasurable and “invaluable” as it would help you become adjusted to the clinical setting in nursing school.
What are the pros and cons of your aspiring specialty?
This is a reminder that no one’s experience in college and nursing is alike. The pros and cons will be different for every person you ask and the challenge of finding what works for you! Quiroz provides insight that the beauty of his aspiring specialty includes a variety of career options. Not only in careers but also in your education. Before you choose your final destination in healthcare, you have the opportunity to explore and gain experience in plenty of different professions and specialties. It is also possible that before or during your application process, there are ways to get a feel for the medical scene. These opportunities may present without payroll, which can mean volunteering or shadowing. In most scenarios, it is hard to even see a hospital before you are eighteen, but even just questioning the medical environment is the best place to start! The pro means, that even if “working with adults isn’t your cup of tea”, you’re in luck. Medicine also has pediatrics. If you don’t enjoy the Medical/Surgery unit (ie. ‘medsurges’), then there is absolutely nothing for you to worry about. There are plenty of specialties in medicine that offer you room to explore.
