CNA or Phlebotomist...or both?

[cjcsoon2bnp, MSN, RN, NP]

Having been both a phlebotomist and a CNA I can tell you what I've experienced. First, let's talk in terms of pay and job availability, phlebotomists (for the most part) are paid more then CNAs but phlebotomy jobs are harder to find versus CNA jobs which are pretty easy to find (but not always to get) but don't always pay so well (hospitals usually pay better than LTC facilities.)

Phlebotomists usually work for outpatient labs, doctors offices or hospitals versus CNAs usually work for LTC facilities or in hospitals. I won't say one is necessarily "better" then the other but as a CNA you will probably do a lot more nursing related tasks then a phlebotomist (especially in a hospital setting.)

If you have the time and ability to do so I would suggest that you get training in both which can help to land you a better job because it gives you more qualifications then the next applicant.

Just recently in an interview I had for a hospital based CNA position I was told that my experience as a phlebotomist is what really stood out amongst the applicants which ultimately helped me to land the job. If you don't have the time or drive to become certified as a phlebotomist but wish to get some phlebotomy training I would suggest you get trained as a CNA and apply for a CNA position at a hospital (a teaching hospital is the best) because many hospitals will train their CNAs to do blood draws (which normally a phlebotomist would do) because it saves money.

Not every hospital does this but if you find one that does it can be helpful and a good learning experience. I will say that being trained from a year long college program in phlebotomy is different from the phlebotomy training you will receive as a CNA in a hospital, but in the end if you get the blood from the patient safely then that is the most important thing. What programs are you looking into for CNA and phlebotomy training?

[sonomala]

Before cna, I was going into phelbotomy. But all the programs around were full and cna was the next option. I am sooo thankful I went that way because I have since found out that around here, phelbotomy by itself is useless. I recently met a cashier at walmart who was cert if phelbotomy (a 200 hour course out here) and she couldn't find a job at any of the 3 major hospital systems, doctors offices ect. Shes going back for cna.

Cna with phelbotomy I agree because like the first person to respond said it makes you stand out and is far more useful. Also around here many Nurse assistant level 2s get their phelbotomy certification and medication aide, basically at the ltcs they are gold.

[jeninthedesert, BSN, RN]

I am a student nurse with experience in phlebotomy and as a CNA. If you are going into nursing school, I highly recommend working as a nursing assistant. You will learn a lot more fundamentals of nursing care as a CNA versus working in phlebotomy. While the experience with phlebotomy can come in handy during nursing school, ultimately it is not going to provide as much hands-on care as nurse assisting will.

All of the knowledge I have acquired through my own CNA experience has been helping me greatly as I go through nursing school.

[Zalan]

phlebotomist= Better pay for most part. Harder to find a job. More Labritory experience than nursing. Can work at Hospitals, labs, blood banks, & plasma centers.

CNA= Basic or Pre-nursing skills. Less pay with alot of LTC faciliies hiring. Some states its needed before getting into the nursing program.

[Zalan]

jswitch said:

Can someone tell me exactly what the duties of a phlebotomist are?

You basically draw blood out of patents for testing. Or you handle hooking people up to Machines for donating blood or plasma. & also disconnect ppl from said machines.

[JEisinger]

I am currently a CNA and also have a certificate from a local community college as a phlebotomist. I was trying to get certified in my state, but because we didn't do a "clinical" We did our pokes on fake arms and I had a friend let me do blood draws on him about 10, but I couldn't count it for school.

I don't have the required pokes to get certified. Now I am caught in the nobody will hire me because I don't have any experience, but I can't get any experience because no one will hire me.

Make sure you check if they will help you get training and the required pokes to get certified and the experience.

I also agree with the post that stated that you will get a ton of experience as a CNA. If you have the time and money it doesn't hurt to have both. If you plan on going on to nursing the phlebotomy really does help.

Neeter

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I would do both. Patient Care Associate/Technician positions usually require that the person be trained in both and also in EKG interpetation. It was a win-win for me when I obtained my phlebotomy certification. My course allowed us to take the certification exam and then, I went to do volunteer work in a hospital for a month to just draw blood. I became very good and eventually, got hired for a few agencies that allowed me to draw blood exclusively. Eventually, I got hired as a Patient Care Associate. The same place that hired me allowed me a full time leave of absence with pay to become an LPN...and STILL, I get many side positions because I am not afraid to draw blood.

I believe that having both will enhance your chances to obtain a hospital position.

[ZanatuBelmont]

Samantha2587 said:

I can't decide if I should become a CNA, or Phlebotomist. Which would be a better position and which would pay better? Should I get my certification in both?

I did the Phlebotomist thing before nursing school and regret it. The only thing it has done for me is allowed me to pinpoint a vein, which is helpful for a nurse. However, I became qualified after my first semester in nursing school to work as a student aide, and I gained more from one week as an aide than I did in three months as a Phlebotomist. While being a Phlebotomist was fun at first, its becomes very routine after a while. The CNA/PCA position is much more flexible and can change from one day to the next.

[jmiarn1029]

I say go for both. I completed my phlebotomy program and in the same month I'll be starting a 1-month CNA program. I also volunteer at my local hospital. The experience help. I agree, that being certified in both phlebotomy and nurse aid will stand out among other applicants. I found my phlebotomy program to be fun and informative but lacked in patient care. That's where CNA come in. However, as a Phlebotomist you have plenty of sticking practice which will be very beneficial in nursing when it comes to starting IV's and you'll be familiar with what tests goes into what tubes. This day in time it can never hurt to be certified in as many things as you can, it will increases job opportunities and pay. Good luck.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I also believe that taking an EKG course is great for CNAs because I am seeing now that they are hiring techs to monitor EKG tracings in the hospital. AND, it darned sure helps while attending nursing school because they will teach you abnormal rhythms, but it is so compacted into a boatload of other things nurses need to know that this can be one less headache!

[priscilla1976]

Great Q! Thas is exactly what I would ask. I am a CNA and want to get as much expierence doing EVERYTHING before i try to get in to become an LVN. I just finished talking to the cont. ed. counsler to get info on phlebotomy. I also want to get my med aide cert. i do think having all these would help with getting a good job. as far as cna jobs. around here it is really pretty easy to get a job in a nursing home, thing is pay doesn't match the labor. i have a job with an agency and part time with home health, but the home health job didnt hire me as a cna but as a provider, which basically means that they didnt want to pay me the cna rate. i think that is a cop out!

[dandk1997RN, MSN, RN]

I was a CNA then became a phlebotomist and now I oversee a staff of about 20-25 phlebs and registration associates. As far as pay goes, I definitely got more as a starting, inexperienced, untrained phlebotomist than I did as a state-certified NA. I make a lot more now, but as I said, I'm in charge and I've been doing this for a decade.

I was trained as a phleb OTJ, but this is relatively uncommon, at least around here. (When I interview people, I will consider someone who has had classes, but not someone who has no experience or training whatsoever. The only people we train from scratch are people who already work in the lab in another capacity and express interest in learning to draw blood. Even then, they have to have a good attendance and employment record, otherwise, I'm not wasting my time.) It just so happened that the healthcare system I worked for was desperate for phlebotomists and liked my work ethic and attendance history, so they allowed me to transfer into the position. I took a 4 hour class and then got put on the floors to train. Certification isn't necessary in my state, nor is it likely to get you a better job or better pay. The job, IMHO, is much easier than being a CNA. There is a little risk of back injury, but nowhere near the risk you have as a CNA. It is a far less strenuous job, though you do need to be very exacting about what you do (mislabels and wrong tubes are a big no-no) and you also have to have a knack. Some people can be trained and trained and trained and they just won't ever be good phlebotomists. As another poster said, you have to be able to feel a vein, not see it. You have to figure out which direction it is running, how deep it lies, and how much it is likely to move before you even think about sticking a needle in someone flesh. Some people just aren't good at that.

As for experience in nursing, if you are going to become a nurse and don't need a little more money, I'd say become a CNA- there is no substitute for the experience you will gain.