Becoming a Patient Care Technician (PCT) is an excellent way to gain hands-on experience and develop essential nursing skills before entering nursing school. As a PCT, you work alongside nurses, assisting with vital signs, bathing, repositioning, and other direct patient care tasks, giving you a firsthand look at the nursing workflow. You’ll learn to recognize changes in patients’ conditions, improve communication skills, and develop critical thinking—all essential for a nursing career. Many PCTs receive training in skills like phlebotomy, EKGs, and catheter care, providing a strong clinical foundation. The experience also helps you build confidence in a fast-paced healthcare setting while networking with nurses and providers who can mentor you. Ultimately, working as a PCT not only strengthens your nursing school application but also prepares you for the responsibilities and challenges of being a nurse.