CNA, EMT, or Phlebotomy?

SportyNurse · Jan 8, 2007

Your best bet would most likely be the CNA class. During clinicals we had to do total patient care, and you have enough to learn and worry about as it is. So having that little bit of extra background will help. EMT would be my second choice, but probably not phlebotomy. Basically though, any knowledge is good and will find itself helpful to you at some point. The CNA class would most likely be the most helpful.

DizzyLizard · Jan 8, 2007

I had both CNA and EMT before I started nursing school. The CNA was more valuable because it gave me experience with bed baths, ambulating, feeding, foley care, etc. etc. All skills you need as a LPN / nurse. As an EMT I did none of that. The EMT part of my job did allow me to fine tune my assessment skills and taught me how to talk to patients and difuse hot situations. Good luck! They are both valuable. I would say no on the phlebetomy. When I got my IV cert we learned about the basic phlebetomy stuff.

fascinoma · Jan 9, 2007

What state are you in?

In California, your better bet is for CNA - for the purposes of employment. We make it difficult to work as a phlebotomist here. I'm one, I know. The wait to get your certification can take six months to a year. Where I live, you can't get work as an entry-level phlebotomist pretty much... anywhere. Places only hire beginners through internship programs, and you have to have gone to the school that offered the program. The hospitals and companies actually have contracts with the schools.

You can get work as an EMT, but you have to be prepared to be on a waiting list at our ambulance companies where I live; you're not going to walk in and get hired off the street like at most companies.

I got phlebotomist and EMT licensure and I still work as a bookseller. I want to be an ER Tech (in the short run).