Is Phlebotomy necessary to pursue nursing?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Specializes in Phlebotomy.
Is Phlebotomy necessary to pursue nursing?

Hey I currently have a phlebotomy license that I do not use.. however I've run into some financial issues but I want to take a step forward into nursing ... I've been studying for a REALLLLY long time... My question is since I am in a financial situation should I utilize phlebotomy to gain the confidence for future confidence in starting IVs and simultaneously collecting the finances that I need... or do you think its worthless?.. currently I'm a CNA but I really don't see a purpose in working 209485 hours as a CNA .. does this make sense to anyone ?

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Specializes in Dialysis.

Drawing labs and starting IVs is nothing alike, except locating appropriate veins. If you want to use your phlebotomy skills, by all means, do so

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Specializes in Phlebotomy.

So its pointless 

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Specializes in Emergency and Critical Care.

So, let me get this right? Presently you are working as a CNA, but you want to get your RN, and you are wondering if going back to phlebotomy would help you more than your CNA?  If I have your question correct, this is my thought process, and from my experience as an educator. Yes, as stated earlier phlebotomy is different from starting an IV, but the process builds confidence in doing invasive procedures to a client. That said, working as a CNA provides the opportunity to be involved in patient care for an all-around process. If you are able to become more involved in what the nurses roll is for your clients by asking questions and learning the why's as to what is being done for and to your client, this could better prepare you for nursing school. You could, if possible, split the 2 rolls and work part time for each, then once you get into a program decide which one fits your schedule better. The CNA will keep you in closer contact to complete patient care for learning while in school, but you need to look at the pros and cons for you such as financial, schedule, responsibilities, and learning potentials.

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Specializes in Phlebotomy.
cinlou said:

So, let me get this right? Presently you are working as a CNA, but you want to get your RN, and you are wondering if going back to phlebotomy would help you more than your CNA?  If I have your question correct, this is my thought process, and from my experience as an educator. Yes, as stated earlier phlebotomy is different from starting an IV, but the process builds confidence in doing invasive procedures to a client. That said, working as a CNA provides the opportunity to be involved in patient care for an all-around process. If you are able to become more involved in what the nurses roll is for your clients by asking questions and learning the why's as to what is being done for and to your client, this could better prepare you for nursing school. You could, if possible, split the 2 rolls and work part time for each, then once you get into a program decide which one fits your schedule better. The CNA will keep you in closer contact to complete patient care for learning while in school, but you need to look at the pros and cons for you such as financial, schedule, responsibilities, and learning potentials.

Thank you so much for your reply I think this is more what im looking for .. I've been a CNA and I went to nursing school but had to come out.. However I knew I would go back.. Since then I've hit some financial struggles.. I've worked as a CNA for about 3/4 years and I feel as though I've gotten patient care down. I think its an amazing experience for anyone interested in becoming a nurse.. however I watch all the cnas work double shifts into 16 hr shifts.. and im not saying anything is wrong with that however.. I just kinda feel like if I know I want to go into nursing and im already needing extra shifts to accomodate my financial situation why not work as a phlebotomist on my days off to get the confidence that I need until I can get myself financially correct to return to nursing school ... I didn't realize it was a step backwards because I pesonally obtained phlebotomy after my CNA .. Im new to all this just looking to obtain the confidence so when I do walk into the nursing field I would have already gotten rid of the possible new nurse jitters 

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Specializes in Emergency and Critical Care.
Tt_ said:

Thank you so much for your reply I think this is more what im looking for .. I've been a CNA and I went to nursing school but had to come out.. However I knew I would go back.. Since then I've hit some financial struggles.. I've worked as a CNA for about 3/4 years and I feel as though I've gotten patient care down. I think its an amazing experience for anyone interested in becoming a nurse.. however I watch all the cnas work double shifts into 16 hr shifts.. and im not saying anything is wrong with that however.. I just kinda feel like if I know I want to go into nursing and im already needing extra shifts to accomodate my financial situation why not work as a phlebotomist on my days off to get the confidence that I need until I can get myself financially correct to return to nursing school ... I didn't realize it was a step backwards because I pesonally obtained phlebotomy after my CNA .. Im new to all this just looking to obtain the confidence so when I do walk into the nursing field I would have already gotten rid of the possible new nurse jitters 

Every time you try something new there will be jitters. It is normal to be nervous about new things, that is what can keep you a safe care giver. It sounds like you know what you want and need to do to get yourself back to school, now all you need to do, is do it. Good Luck

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Do whatever pays more

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

The system I work for requires CNA's and RN's to do the phlebotomy.  So being proficient in this skill would be an asset.  I often get called in to draw blood on a patient a nurse or CNA missed because I have that experience.  If facilities there require this skill to be learned you will have a heads up.

Even though it's a different skill than starting an IV, you can learn to find the vein and gain confidence sticking people.  That's a plus but not a huge one.

I also agree with the above that CNA work is more helpful to you when starting clinical as an RN.   In my clinical group in school everyone was either a CNA or an LPN and they had a huge advantage over me as I worked at Pizza Hut.  LOL

So if you're trying to help your financial situation while gaining the best experience, I mostly agree with @klone above that whatever pays the bills is what's best.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Burn, ICU.

I know nurses who bartended through nursing school because it paid well and was mostly evening work. Also, they're good at casual conversations! If phlebotomy pays you enough and offers useful hours, do it. If not, pick up more CNA shifts or some other job that helps your finances out.

In some units of the hospital you may do your own phlebotomy or IVs and in others you won't. It's not a bad skill to havr but new grad nurses in my area typically don't learn these skills in school and they do okay. 

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Specializes in PeriOperative Nursing.

I worked full time as a phlebotomist for 6 years. The last 3 years of that time period I was in nursing school. I also picked up shifts as a CNA on one of the floors in the hospital I worked at. Phlebotomy paid better than CNA, but I didn't want to lose the CNA skills I'd acquired. I also trained as a Paramedic prior to nursing school (this was very early in my health care career when I was deciding between nursing and medicine). The phlebotomy training was before the Medic training and it helped my confidence with IV starts as a Medic trainee, and then further on as a RN. So...to sum up.. I started as an ED Tech doing CNA and Phlebotomy, then became a Medic, then transferred from the ED to the Lab where I worked as a Phlebotomist for 6 years, then I became a Nurse. To answer your question and to echo the sentiments of others - do whichever pays better as a full time and if necessary, do the other part time. If you decide to do CNA part time, make sure you get enough hours to keep your certification current. Sorry for the length of this comment. Good luck!

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Specializes in Women's Surgical Oncology, MIU,MBU.

Hello, I am an RN and I was out of work 5 years looking for a position PT/FT while raising our family. I saw a phlebotomy course that I was able to take at no cost to me. Thinking that I could put it on my resume to show I was doing something as other hospitals were not paying me any attention. Well I completed the Phlebotomy course in 2014 I obtained a position on MBU in 2015 to which I've been there coming this September 8 years. I would like to practice starting IVs...I'm thinking that you being a CNA pays more than being a patient care tech? I think continue working as a CNA will help financially and if you can also do the Phlebotomy 1 to 2 days a week.  I agree.. which pays more and give that area more time. In nursing they are quick to say oh you've been off the floor so they think all of a sudden you won't do well. Thank God to the woman that hired me and trusted that I would do well even after being off  the floor 5 years. God is awesome and I am proof it can be done if you're determined and pick up on things quickly. All the best to you in your decisions and going forward to becoming an RN.

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Definitely, the more you learn, the more opportunities are available to you!! Once you begin learning, your mind opens up and a vast array of creative ideas develop!!

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