Is Phlebotomy necessary to pursue nursing?

[Tt_]

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 ?

[Nursynursenurse, ADN, RN]

Hoosier_RN said:

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

Locating the vein is 90% of phlebotomy and starting an IV! Of course they're alike. 
 

Although I had my CNA which was required for nursing school, I worked as a phlebotomist throughout nursing school to pay the bills. It paid better than CNA and is much easier. If it weren't for my phlebotomy job, I don't know how I would have supported myself those years. I still got to interact with patients and witness a lot without having to be terribly overworked and underpaid like CNAs. Plus, you will know a ton about laboratory testing, requirements, reference ranges etc that other nurses just don't know. You will also be excellent at starting IVs. I am so grateful for my phlebotomy training prior to becoming a nurse. 

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

Nursynursenurse said:

Locating the vein is 90% of phlebotomy and starting an IV! Of course they're alike. 
 

Although I had my CNA which was required for nursing school, I worked as a phlebotomist throughout nursing school to pay the bills. It paid better than CNA and is much easier. If it weren't for my phlebotomy job, I don't know how I would have supported myself those years. I still got to interact with patients and witness a lot without having to be terribly overworked and underpaid like CNAs. Plus, you will know a ton about laboratory testing, requirements, reference ranges etc that other nurses just don't know. You will also be excellent at starting IVs. I am so grateful for my phlebotomy training prior to becoming a nurse. 

Finding the vein is about the only commonality. I've drawn a ton of labs, and started a ton of IVs in 30 years, so I know the difference. And some phlebotomists have no clue what the lab values reference, as is the case with some nurses. That's just on the person caring enough to learn. For the OP,  it boils down to which will pay more