phelbotomy dilenma

ava'smomRN · May 7, 2003

Originally posted by Ellen
Take the course! Our hospital just did away with phelbotomists completely and put it on the RNs to draw all their own labs! I'm glad I had experience from working in Home Health for 5 years ( you draw your own labs there) There were some nurses that even quit over this!

elaborate please!!!:)

ava'smomRN · May 14, 2003

to keep everyone posted, i started the class monday 12 and i like it. i feel that i am going to learn alot! i did start the new job but i really dont think im gonna like the facillity, but im gonna try and work it out/ thanks everyone for your advice!

katgurl77 · May 14, 2003

Hi

Where are you taking the Pleb course? I was thinking about that too, is at CCP or somewhere else?

THanks,

Toni

TMS2121 · May 15, 2003

I would go ahead and try to take a pre-requisite course for nursing. I say this b/c you don't want to end up taking these courses that are required while in the nursing program. There's too much work already involved once you start the actual nursing program... getting a head start is best. In the clinical setting you can always learn to draw blood b/c many hospitals offer a 1 or 2 week program in which you'll learn how to draw blood. You just won't be certified. You'll have to have an RN check you off on it and observe you for a certain number of draws on your unit or in the laboratory. I think it would be well worth your while, if you want to enter a nursing program, to get a head start on getting courses completed. Good luck though in whatever you decide to do!!:)

ava'smomRN · May 15, 2003

Originally posted by katgurl77
Hi
Where are you taking the Pleb course? I was thinking about that too, is at CCP or somewhere else?

THanks,
Toni

yup! it's right at ccp main campus. 21 students registered but only 13 showed up which i thought was weird because people harass the department head toget in that class.it baffles me. do youtake classes at ccp now? i

ava'smomRN · Jun 4, 2003

i am sorry i didnt listen to those of you who told me not to take the class. why? i hate it and don't want to finish the class. granted it is only 3 weeks left but i don't want to finish. i think i can still withdraw from the class but im not 100% sure yet. a decission like this i really dont want to have to make but i am. if i would have just put a little mor thought into i would have been ok. if you were in my situation what would you do?

Jen2 · Jun 4, 2003

Hello

Just wanted to say that I work as a phleb. In the hospital where I work at, we make more $ than the CNA's which is why I do it. Sorry to say but being in school I must work so that I can have health ins. and I can work less hours as a phleb. Taking a phleb course will help you in knowledge and confidence. You can take the class for knowledge of drawing orders, lab values etc.. but learning how to stick comes with years of experience. There's more to phlebotomy than just drawing blood. So many people don't realize that how you draw can alter a test and possibly end in harm to a pt. I sometimes get upset when a select few nurses say "Oh how hard can it be to walk around and draw blood all day", these are the same few that argue with me to do a cbc on a pt. while they are recieving blood (against policy). For the most part the nurses are so happy that they don't have to draw and we respect each other and help each other. If you would decide to be a phleb it can help you in nursing. Doing this I get to go to all the codes the hospital has, it helps you to be aware of listening to a pt. and recognizing symptoms such as if they are going to pass out, and what to do when this happens. All in all I can say that it is my job as a phleb that I think will help me in nursing and not just taking the class. If you are taking it to learn how to stick, this is something that comes with experience, but if you are taking it for the knowledge than hang in there, it may help. It may also give you some confidence, the first time you try to put an I.V. in.