drawing blood

SarasotaRN2b · Dec 20, 2004

Stephera, because I feel as you do, I have decided to take a phlebotomy course at the technical school this March. It seems to be a pretty indepth class (~8 weeks, Monday - Wednesday for about 5 hours). I figure that with all of this practice, I should be a pro by the time I get in to the nursing program. I also plan on applying to one of the hospitals as an inpathient phlebotomist.

stephera · Dec 20, 2004

Is there a website to find phlebotomy courses in my area?

Stephera, because I feel as you do, I have decided to take a phlebotomy course at the technical school this March. It seems to be a pretty indepth class (~8 weeks, Monday - Wednesday for about 5 hours). I figure that with all of this practice, I should be a pro by the time I get in to the nursing program. I also plan on applying to one of the hospitals as an inpathient phlebotomist.

SarasotaRN2b · Dec 20, 2004

I would just do a goggle search for technical schools in your area. Unfortunately, I'm in FL and have no idea about schools in Texas, but I'm s ure that you must have one.

stephera · Dec 20, 2004

Thanks :)

I would just do a goggle search for technical schools in your area. Unfortunately, I'm in FL and have no idea about schools in Texas, but I'm s ure that you must have one.

SmilingBluEyes · Dec 20, 2004

Drawing blood is such a small part of what we do as nurses. In some places, nursing is not responsible for that anyhow---but phelbotomy or lab. I would not dwell on this skill as a worry....nursing is MUCH more than starting Iv's and drawing labs. These skills come with experience and time, and you will learn them. Don't spend too much time dwelling on learning each and every skill in nursing---you will get all of this in school and in your first year of two as a nurse. Good luck!

martymoose, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2004

Hi- I found it very useful to be trained as a patient care tech. We learned how to do blood draws in the phlebotomy lab, vitals, patient care, etc. I found this experience to be very helpful towards my nursing student experience (I'll be done with ADN next week ).It is also good because the hospital trains you for this- you don't have to pay; they pay you- nice for buying books, tuition, whatever. This would mean working at least a part time commitment, mostlikely. The hospitals in my area need techs desperately, and are willing to train even if you don't have fundamentals completed yet. Don't know how it is in your area. Also, blood draws are usually done by the techs anyway, not the nurses (altho you need to be able to if there is no tech available) Also, in nys, we cant learn IV insertion until we are a nurse :eek: We dont get to practice at all beforehand-scary!Good Luck

3KittiesRN · Dec 20, 2004

hi stephera...im taking the phlebotomy program next semester at my local community college...it is really time intensive though...mostly evening classes...all together its 6 units for the program...im also taking micro along with it!!! however when im done ill be able to get a job as a phlebotomist and hopefully it will let me gain some experience in the medical field...good luck and check your local community colleges to see if they offer a phlebotomy program:)

dosamigos76, RN · Dec 20, 2004

Drawing blood is such a small part of what we do as nurses. In some places, nursing is not responsible for that anyhow---but phelbotomy or lab. I would not dwell on this skill as a worry....nursing is MUCH more than starting Iv's and drawing labs. QUOTE]
I work on a surgical floor at our hospital and we don't do lab draws.....the lab does. Not even an issue...
Cheryl

Rustyhammer · Dec 20, 2004

I know how to draw blood but it's a rarity that I do it. We have the phlebs who come and do that. It's not that often that we start IV's even. IV team and all that. But if you do have to draw, After the first couple of times it's a breeze.

-R

allnurses Guide · Dec 20, 2004

I learned to draw blood in doctor's office I worked in while in nursing school.

That said, I have to agree with everyone else. I rarely draw blood for labs as a RN.

I do start IV's alot though.

steph

CritterLover, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2004

[color=navy]i actually draw blood all the time. currently, i work in an er, but one of the icus i worked in was the same way. have lab draw your blood? what a joke. our manager kept telling us that if we were too busy to draw our own blood, to call lab and they would come do it. we'd call, but they would never show.

truely, though, most places you won't have to draw you own blood. i just want to point out that you can't count on it. while i wouldn't spend a whole bunch of money on a phlebotomy class, if you can get trained through your employeer, it would be great. it may not end up being a skill you use much once you become a nurse, but you will get two big benefits from it. first, you will have increased confidence when it comes to starting ivs. though the skills are very different (a straight vp is much easier), you will have an easier time finding the veins, which can leave to to concentrate on learning how to thread the catheter successfully. second, it will give you some insite on how the lab operates, which can seem to be a mystery at times. it will also help you to know what type of tube various tests go in for when you are drawing from a central line.