I am a CNA is it worth getting a phlebotomy/ekg tech license?

[andrea1994]

I am 20 years old, I have a dual certification as a CNA and CHHA in New Jersey. I Worked in a nursing home for a year and I loved it! However, I moved away and recently started classes in community college. I decided to work as a home health aide now because of better hours and because I didn't like the nursing home in my new area. I can not stand home health work only because there is not enough to do and I like to stay busy. Ive decided I would like to work in a hospital because it's more exciting and I think it will help me realize whether or not I would like to pursue a career in health care. I just want to know if anyone thinks it would be worth my time and money to get a certification for phlebotomy/ ekg tech? Do they make more? Are hours different? Would I have different responsibilities or would I just work as all three when needed? Would it help me if I furthered my career as an RN or in another career in health care? Any question you can answered would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance :)

[jdeng44]

If you're going to nursing I don't think there is a need for you to become a EKG tech or phlebotomy certified. The reason being after your first semester nursing school you can start applying for nurse resident positions and local hospitals. By doing so they will train you on the floor to do EKGs and blood draws and IV insertions. What I would recommend as far as EKG training is go on a website called skillstat.com and get some experience doing practice EKG rhythm strips. From personal experience in hospitals are more likely to hire you once you are accepted into a nursing program.

[caliotter3]

I took a course in phlebotomy for extra skills practice while in nursing school but did not find it helpful because I was not able to get the precepted hours required to apply for certification with the state. Our instructor warned us of this at the beginning of the class. If you were to find work as a phlebotomist, yes, I could see the usefulness, likewise with the EKG tech course. But finding work in either of these two areas when newly graduated from a training course is almost impossible. I would not waste my time. I would concentrate on preparing for RN school at this point. JMO

[nlitened]

EKG/Tele techs are being phased out due to the use of technology. So I think it depends on your area. Would you even be able to find a job with that cert. where you live? However, phlebotomy techs seem to find work in my area at hospitals, blood banks, labs, etc. But again, it depends on your area. Check you local classifieds and job openings at facilities in your area to see if these certs would help you any.

[mintygirl]

As awesome as CNA is, the day comes when its physically breaking you down. In which case you want the flexibility to change job fields, without going outside your career of the medical field. (Who else has the best flexible hours?) With that said there is nothing wrong with bettering yourself.

And in cases of wanting to get into a hospital, if you luck out to get an interview, you can bring up the fact that you have these skills and abilities too. You might not be allowed to use it, but you can mention it and it just looks good. Then let's say you do get the hospital job and your comfy with it, you can always be asked to be cross-trained in other areas and she can place you where you need to be. :)

[ownthesky25]

I'm currently a CNA with my EKG tech certification. I wanted to eventually get my home health aide license and phelbotomy to complete an MST certification which I thought would benefit in obtaining a position in a hospital. I have since started nursing school so completing the few remaining certifications isn't as important to me now.

I would recommend taking EKG and phelbotomy if possible simply for the knowledge. Those courses go into much greater detail than what is covered in nursing school. Now granted, since I work in LTC and don't have the opportunity to use my EKG knowledge I have forgotten most of it. But it's a simple thing to look over my notes from the class and remember most of it. I'm hoping to move to a hospital setting after I complete the fundamental of nursing this semester.