Should I take a Phlebotomy course after CNA?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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At the end of the month I will be taking my CNA test. I was wondering should i take a phlebotomy course after that? I'm slowly making my way towards being a RN but I have a long way to go. So I was wondering if I should do this in between.

How much is the course?? What is the pay difference between the two?? If more money is likely I would go for it if not I would complete my CNA and work towards my goal. Sign up for classes to start the process of becoming an RN while working as a CNA. No need in going into more debt if in the end its really not gonna help much.[/quote']

I already completed my CNA class I take the test in a few weeks. The phlebotomy class is like 600. I was gonna take it while I take my prerequisites for RN.

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Just do your CNA cause u need it for clinical anyways good luck......

Thanks a lot I spoke with a few people they say the same thing.

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I would just do the CNA and work as one for a while but if you think you want to be a phlebotomist while going to school then go for it my phlebotomy class is $950. And I can't afford that lol but if you have the money and it is something your really want to do, then do it :)[/quote']

I dnt want to be a phlebotomist I would like to be a PCA while in school but I heard u have to learn how to draw blood first.

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Specializes in Wound Care.

Have u applied to hospitals? No ones has called you? I just dnt want it to be a waste of time.

I have applied to 56 hospitals in los Angeles from San Diego to the valley. I had one interview for a hospital in Pasadena but they were looking for a per diem CNA Monday- Friday 9-5. I'm in school Monday- Friday 7-3...other then that, nothing

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Specializes in inerested in school nursing, peds, OR.

the hospital will teach you if they want you to do it. I am a houston CNA, PCAs are CNA they are just called something different at hospitals. A hospital may teach you to draw blood and do EKGs. I have even heard of PCAs starting IVs.

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Specializes in inerested in school nursing, peds, OR.

and also, 600 is a lot for a phlebotomist class. At san jacinto college in Pasadena its 375 or something along those lines. You really dont need phlebotomy to be a PCA.

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I have applied to 56 hospitals in los Angeles from San Diego to the valley. I had one interview for a hospital in Pasadena but they were looking for a per diem CNA Monday- Friday 9-5. I'm in school Monday- Friday 7-3...other then that, nothing

Omgee that is crazy! Did u apply to anything else so u gain experience

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and also 600 is a lot for a phlebotomist class. At san jacinto college in Pasadena its 375 or something along those lines. You really dont need phlebotomy to be a PCA.[/quote']

I didn't know San jac classes was around that price. I think I might just apply for CNA job then if they teach me then ok. Was it hard finding a CNA job in Houston?

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Specializes in OR, Medical/Surgical, Orthopedics.

I live in Houston, I took phlebotomy during my CNA class and it was totally worth it. I'm currently in nursing school and knowing how to draw blood definitely will help me during clinicals and also with learning how to start IVs. In my phlebotomy program we practiced our blood draws on each other in the beginnng and it really helped out, being in a classroom setting with the teacher helping you out and not being freaked out that it's an actual patient. Unfortunately in nursing school we can't practice on each other so our first "stick" will be on an actual patient. Some hospitals will allow CNAs to draw blood, they might just teach you on the job. In my hospital there's only two units a CNA/PCT/PCA/NurseTech can draw blood which is in CDU or ER. I got my PCT certificate (cna, phlebotomy, ekg) but some hospitals don't recognize them separately and just lump pct,cna /pca into one big group all together. I will admit though, finding a job was difficult. I sent about 32 applications and only heard back from one, which I did and interview and didn't get the job due to lack of experience. The 33 application I sent in was the charm, but that was because I knew somebody who worked at that hospital who put in a good word for me. So my advice would be if you know anyone that works at a hospital, try to use that to your advantage, bc it's sad to say but most of the time it really is WHO you know.

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I live in Houston I took phlebotomy during my CNA class and it was totally worth it. I'm currently in nursing school and knowing how to draw blood definitely will help me during clinicals and also with learning how to start IVs. In my phlebotomy program we practiced our blood draws on each other in the beginnng and it really helped out, being in a classroom setting with the teacher helping you out and not being freaked out that it's an actual patient. Unfortunately in nursing school we can't practice on each other so our first "stick" will be on an actual patient. Some hospitals will allow CNAs to draw blood, they might just teach you on the job. In my hospital there's only two units a CNA/PCT/PCA/NurseTech can draw blood which is in CDU or ER. I got my PCT certificate (cna, phlebotomy, ekg) but some hospitals don't recognize them separately and just lump pct,cna /pca into one big group all together. I will admit though, finding a job was difficult. I sent about 32 applications and only heard back from one, which I did and interview and didn't get the job due to lack of experience. The 33 application I sent in was the charm, but that was because I knew somebody who worked at that hospital who put in a good word for me. So my advice would be if you know anyone that works at a hospital, try to use that to your advantage, bc it's sad to say but most of the time it really is WHO you know.[/quote']

Thanks so much for the info. Where did you do your phlebotomy at?

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Specializes in inerested in school nursing, peds, OR.

I had 3 offers before I was finished with my class, all at hospitals. I knew a nurse manager at one hospital (kingwood medical), and my teacher at san jac gave me the phone number to another nurse manager at the TIRR memorial hermann hospital, and the other offer was just a hospital i applied online through (san jacinto hospital in baytown). The teachers at san jac college are really good about helping you find a job if you decided to take a phlebotomy class there. I took the job at san jac hospital because I live in baytown, but i'm kind of regretting it because the TIRR facility was absolutely amazing!!! the med center was just too far for me to drive everyday at the time. My teacher also gave me the number to east housont regional hospital (head HR number) but I never called because of the other offers. If you want to PM me I would be happy to share it with you. Idk where you are located, east houston is located in channelview.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
I don't think it's particularly helpful unless you think you're likely to get hired as a phlebotomist while you're in school.
I heard in hospitals that PCA/PCT are CNAs but they can draw blood but my school doesn't teach CNAs to draw blood
I think you'll find that varies by facility. My facilities have always used either lab techs, phlebotomists, or nurses to draw blood. You should check the job descriptions of the places you're hoping to work and see if that's a required skill.

Regarding nursing school, it's of no real benefit because:

1) It will be rare for you to have the opportunity to draw blood

2) Unless you're doing it all the time, you won't be very good at it, anyway

3) Starting IVs and drawing blood are different skills

If you want to go for it just out of interest and you've got the time and money, why not? As to whether you "should," I see no particular reason or benefit unless you think it's likely to get you a job while you're in school and that just depends on your local job market and local scopes.

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