Phlebotomist while in college?

I've pretty much decided I want to be a nurse. It's going to be a very long, hard road.

The first thing I'm going to do is get and AS degree in General Studies, and get in as many nursing pre-reqs as a I can. Then I'll apply to nursing programs.

It's going to take me about 2 1/2 years to get that. But while earning this degree, I could also take phlebotomy classes at the same community college. A lot of the classes required for certification would be the same ones I have to take anyway, for the AS degree.

Does this sound like a good idea?

I could get some experience in healthcare.

Have you noticed a need for these jobs?

Thanks for reading.