Advice on education options?

[Mariekb]

Hi, I want to enter a nursing program, but I would like some advice...I am currently learning phlebotomy, should I still get certified as a phlebotomist or is it kind of pointless? Also, I want to be an emt - should I do that first and then nursing or do nursing and then emt part time or something? What are the pros and cons of the different options? Thanks in advance for any opinions.

[verene, MSN]

Both EMT and phlebotomist are short certification courses, and will likely be similar cost and time to complete, with phlebotomy likely being slightly shorter if you are already on that path. However they do lead to different jobs and different work environments - which one appeals to you more? Both will get you health care experience but neither is going to directly translate into nursing if that is your goal.

What draws you to each of these careers (EMT, phlebotomy, and nursing)? What are your goals for completing or working in these fields? What is the job market like in your area for EMTs and phlebotomy techs?

[Mariekb]

I mainly have been learning phlebotomy because that would make it easier to find a job in a hospital, i have had cna training, ekg tech course and medication assistance course. I want to be an emt because I want the experience of helping people in the pre-hospital setting. I want to be a nurse because I simply love the medical field, i care about people and enjoy helping, and I love learning medical/health related things. The job market in my area for phlebotomists seems pretty good, not sure about emts.

[ThatBigGuy]

Finish out your phlebotomy certification because that's an incredibly useful skill to have in the acute care setting as an RN.

If you have the time and inclination, getting your EMT would be helpful in general, although may not matter much specifically to a hiring manager down the road. On the other hand, don't stress yourself out by trying to squeeze it in if the timing or your finances don't quite have the room.

Any combination of these two certifications will give you a bit of a head start in a nursing program, and the phlebotomy skills will carry over into your RN career.

I became a CNA before nursing school, and learned some ADL-type skills that I appreciate today. However, I sure wish I would have chosen phlebotomy instead, simply for the increased experience of sticking people.