IV Therapy Certification/Training

[oslogirl]

Hi. Does anyone know where one can get IV therapy training and certification in the Atlanta area?

Thanks!

[OldnurseRN]

I actually meant to say it's a huge asset to have IV cerified LPNs.

[GoosbyLPN]

Ok so did anyone find out any info about IV training classes in Atlanta?

[hotflashion, BSN, RN]

...I enrolled in the Red Cross phlebotomy class....I'll let ya know how it goes.

It went well. We had a big class, 14 I think, and started right in sticking each other as soon as we felt fairly confident. The instructor was excellent in providing guidance, I should say, EXCELLENT. The only trouble with the class is that internship slots are limited and we had to wait about a month before we could be placed.

My mentor at my site was also excellent but the general mood and atmosphere for employees was dire and I would have rather done almost any job than work there: one phleb never had a good or pleasant thing to say, always looked sour, and only grumbled if either I or the other intern said "Good morning," on the way in. One of the young girls was very good and pleasant, able to have an adult conversation; the other, while she had a talent for finding veins in children and babies, chewed her fingernails, dressed sloppy, drank her dinner every night and one day I actually saw her picking her nose. They were constantly worried about who was doing what, and why that per diem phleb got to leave early, and sniping on the newest phleb, a very nice African guy.

I can only think the reason for this was that it was a dead end job; the "lab," as it was called was in actuality a specimen collection site in a general medical clinic, with no path for advancement, and hence no atmosphere of mobility nor reason to be motivated to develop any professionalism.

I'm pretty confident in my ability to draw blood. I'm waiting to take my certification test. I don't know yet if it will help me get an RN job.

[CP1983, ADN, BSN, RN]

Hi hotflashion,

I know this is two years later and I live in NYC. Did the phlebotomy class help you get a job? Please let me know what happened! I was thinking the same thing, if I should take this class at the Red Cross-NYC but I am lacking money now. I can't afford anything. I can't even take a ACLS and PALS class so it's been a struggle for me. I am new grad RN. thanks, :)

[hotflashion, BSN, RN]

Hi, CP1983,

I don't think the phlebotomy training did anything to help me get a job. On the other hand, if I'd gotten a job that required me to do venipuncture, I'm sure it would have proven useful. The Red Cross training wasn't inexpensive.

Are you a new nurse?

HF