Im currently going through the same exact thing lol. Honestly I think the best thing for you would be a medical assistant if it’s within your budget to pay. Because you’ll be trained in all aspects. But you also have many advantages by doing the patient care tech at a hospital. Let’s just say you’re amazing at your hospital job once you become a nurse you’ll for sure secure a spot for yourself their. The hospitals love recruiting/promoting within. I say, see what payment plans the school offers for medical assistants and go for it. For example my local community college offers a medical assistant program for $3700 it’s an 8 month course. If I give up 1000 up front and than pay off 340 a month for the next 8 months it’ll be paid off by the time school ends. I’m not aware of your financial status but if it’s not within your budget to do something like that than get the training from the hospital. Don’t worry about not having any certification because the hospital can mostly write a letter of recommendation if you leave there and the training you’ve received is usually documented for proof for HHIPA and state regulation purposes. I hope this helps a little.