CNA or Phlebotomist...or both?

Students CNA/MA Nursing Q/A

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cjcsoon2bnp, MSN, RN, NP

7 Articles; 1,156 Posts

Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
sonomala said:
Before cna, I was going into phelbotomy. But all the programs around were full and cna was the next option. I am sooo thankful I went that way because I have since found out that around here, phelbotomy by itself is useless.

While I agree with most of what your saying I have to disagree that phlebotomy certification by itself is useless. The problem with it is that there aren't a ton of phlebotomy jobs out there and a lot of times getting any job in a hospital comes down to who you know and how determined you are to get the job. Phlebotomists with more experience have an easier time getting a job but there are opportunities out there, you just have to look for them.

!Chris :specs:

jswitch

22 Posts

Can someone tell me exactly what the duties of a phlebotomist are?

Markina21

2 Posts

Im am a licensed Cna and I just finished my phlebotomy class and im going to become a registered phlebotomist in two weeks. If your going to go back to school like I am you will find the physical labor of being a Cna very tiring mixed with school it can be done but it is extremely challenging. Phlebotomy jobs are harder to find than Cna jobs but they usually pay more and there is no physical labor involved. Two is always better than one because you have options, there are also alot of jobs that would utilize both. Care Partners at Sentara utilize both and doctor offices will utilize you as a medical assistant.

mcnasty

24 Posts

Can anyone tell me how much a phlebotomy course generally costs?

markina21- are you in norfolk? if so what about red cross for platelet donation. I love the girls there. they are so sweet and seem to like their jobs.

JumpingIn

38 Posts

Specializes in Finding my niche....

I say do both. Any education that you can complete in a short amount of time that applies to nursing, will most likely help you now and in the future.

~Now-- you may be able to increase your income (while in or awaiting nursing school) with the new qualifications.

CNA salaries suck when you don't have any specialized skills.

~Later-- the phlebotomy will help tons after becoming a nurse.

Many new nurses aren't skilled in phlebotomy or starting an IV, because you aren't given in depth teaching on that skill in nursing school. Phlebotomy can be intimidating for some at first. So I say learn it now, while there is no pressure.:bugeyes:

rayele

48 Posts

Hi JumpingIn

How does it feel to do your first blood draw? Were you confident from the get go or were you nervous.

school45

29 Posts

Specializes in cna/pct.

I have completed my cna training and will sit for state may 17th/09 and now i'm looking for a school to take a phlebotomy class so i will be more marketable can someone tell me where i can find such a school in arlington or ft.worth (texas) area,thanks for any leads.

cjcsoon2bnp, MSN, RN, NP

7 Articles; 1,156 Posts

Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
JumpingIn said:
I say do both. Any education that you can complete in a short amount of time that applies to nursing, will most likely help you now and in the future.

~Later-- the phlebotomy will help tons after becoming a nurse.

Many new nurses aren't skilled in phlebotomy or starting an IV, because you aren't given in depth teaching on that skill in nursing school. Phlebotomy can be intimidating for some at first. So I say learn it now, while there is no pressure.:bugeyes:

I agree absolutely, there are many nurses I know who were HORRIBLE at drawing blood and starting IVs (especially in the beginning) and its because in nursing school (for the most part) you have NO training to draw blood or start IVs (most nurses have to learn on the job when they can fit it in.) I think that being a phlebotomist first or a CNA who draws blood allows you to learn to draw blood in a lower stress way and it helps you to get a feel for which veins make IV sites on a person. Some of the nurses that I work with who aren't as good at starting IVs call me in to help them find a spot for a good IV site which is kind of cool too.

!Chris :specs:

cjcsoon2bnp, MSN, RN, NP

7 Articles; 1,156 Posts

Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
rayele said:
Hi JumpingIn

How does it feel to do your first blood draw? Were you confident from the get go or were you nervous.

I remember the first time and the first person I drew blood from, it was one of my classmates. I was in a year long program that had us do at least 20 - 30 draws on a plastic arm before we drew blood on a person and the first few times we drew on a person it was one of our classmates. I was nervous as heck doing it but I was so excited when I saw the blood go in the tube. Since then I have done probably between 400 - 500 draws and I have missed probably 15 - 20 times or so. You miss people once in a while (a lot in the beginning) and it upsets you (especially in the beginning) but you just tell your patient the truth and ask them if you can try again. Everyone is nervous in the beginning but as you get more draws under your belt it gets easier and you get more confident. Even now when I insert a needle into someones arm to draw blood I hold my breath for a second (I can't help it) until I see that flash (if I am using a butterfly needle) or the tube filling with blood. I noticed the big thing with new phelbotomists are that some are so afraid of hurting someone that they go too slowly or try to be so gentle that they end up hurting the patient more and having to redraw the patient. The best tips I can offer for new phlebotomists are the following:

Read your labels and correctly ID your patient - If you don't and you draw from the wrong patient or draw the wrong tubes for the wrong tests then you are going to have a real problem and may have to redraw the patient.

Don't just "guess and stab" the vein - You are not always going to see the vein that your going to draw from (in fact many times something that looks like a good vein isn't and vice versa) but you need to be able to feel the vein that your going to draw from, if you don't feel anything then don't try to just guess where it should be and then stick someone. It hurts and you shouldn't stick someone unless you know you feel a vein!

Make sure to have your supplies with you - Nothing is worse then going to draw someones blood and realizing that you forgot to grab a certain tube or forgot to grab the gauze for after you take the needle out. Bring your blood drawing kit with you if you can, other wise just make sure you have all of your supplies (and a few extra tubes and gauze just in case.)

Once your done don't forget to label your tubes and send them properly - Make sure you sign or initial and date your tubes according to the standards of your employer, some tests may require you to send the tube in certain conditions (such as "on ice" or "shielded from light" just check your employee handbook to find out) because nothing is worse then forgetting to sign a tube or sending it incorrectly and having the lab call you to tell you that the tube was disregard and you need to redraw the patient. Having to redraw a patient for a pointless error is the worst conversation you ever have with a patient.

Remember that your a human being and you will make mistakes - We all make mistakes and its best to just be honest and fess up to it. Never and I repeat never lie to a patient because you may get away with it now but somehow they will always find out in the end and it comes back to bite you. You need to remember that no one likes having blood drawn it can be painful (slightly or extremely for some) and some people are afraid of having it done so the best thing you can do is to be honest and walk into the room with your patient trying to appear confident and professional (it will help to put the patient at ease and it makes your job easier.)

Off hand that is pretty much all I can think of but I'm sure there is more. If any of the phlebotomists out there can think of more tips just be sure to let me know. Good luck to anyone who is considering phlebotomy!

!Chris :specs:

Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

Good post! I was wondering if I should take the phleb. class over the summer at my community college. Still debating though.

chelsea2323

1 Post

Can someone tell me exactly where i can find a teaching hospital where i live for phlebotomy? i took my state exam just waiting for my certification. I live in Los Angeles

Breecpt

1 Post

Specializes in Mobile Phlebotomist/Paramedical Examiner.
Samantha2587 said:
I can't decide if I should become a CNA, or Phlebotomist. Which would be a better position and which would pay better? Should I get my certification in both?

You can become an independent contractor as a Mobile Phlebotomist. There are Paramedical Exam Company job LEADS at the site on my profile page.

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