phlebotomist first

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Hey. I was just curious how many nurses were certified in phlebotomy before becoming nurses. I searched it but the threads are really old.

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I am applying to nursing schools, so not a nurse yet, and I have been a certified phlebotomist for a few years. I actually don't think it helps if you are going for nursing. You can learn the needle sticks and all relatively easily. They are more on the laboratory end versus the patient care end. If you want to be a nurse go for EMT, CNA, etc. I am also an EMT and have learned A LOT on the IFT end (inter facility transports). You can get out of it what you put into it. I was able to learn to get and give reports, write reports accurately and quickly, find vitals easily, assess patients, I even helped in BVM'ing a NICU patient only 1500 grams. I asked lots of questions of my nurses who were nice and even had a few long discussions with MDs. I had MORE than my share of psyche patients and feel very comfortable now with them and the psyche facilities (still be cautious-comfortable does not mean careless). I also learned a lot in a pre-health care student internship program. We actually were able to work with the patients, after training and passing exams and all. It was a volunteer program. The nurses and doctors often let you see things for the experience if you are deemed a hard worker. I worked hard and saw and did many things. It solidified in my mind the desire to be an RN.

So, what is the reason for asking about phlebotomy? As pre-RN experience I do not think it is a great choice. Maybe only that the sight of blood will not freak you out or ?? I saw plenty of blood in the ER and vomit and urine and feces. I d not think it is necessary to see if you can handle it. Any other opinions? GOOD question as I believe some experience is crucial to making sure this is what you want to do since it is such a large endevour!

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I am applying to nursing schools, so not a nurse yet, and I have been a certified phlebotomist for a few years. I actually don't think it helps if you are going for nursing. You can learn the needle sticks and all relatively easily. They are more on the laboratory end versus the patient care end. If you want to be a nurse go for EMT, CNA, etc. I am also an EMT and have learned A LOT on the IFT end (inter facility transports). You can get out of it what you put into it. I was able to learn to get and give reports, write reports accurately and quickly, find vitals easily, assess patients, I even helped in BVM'ing a NICU patient only 1500 grams. I asked lots of questions of my nurses who were nice and even had a few long discussions with MDs. I had MORE than my share of psyche patients and feel very comfortable now with them and the psyche facilities (still be cautious-comfortable does not mean careless). I also learned a lot in a pre-health care student internship program. We actually were able to work with the patients, after training and passing exams and all. It was a volunteer program. The nurses and doctors often let you see things for the experience if you are deemed a hard worker. I worked hard and saw and did many things. It solidified in my mind the desire to be an RN.

So, what is the reason for asking about phlebotomy? As pre-RN experience I do not think it is a great choice. Maybe only that the sight of blood will not freak you out or ?? I saw plenty of blood in the ER and vomit and urine and feces. I d not think it is necessary to see if you can handle it. Any other opinions? GOOD question as I believe some experience is crucial to making sure this is what you want to do since it is such a large endevour!

Hey. I was just curious to what others experiences where. I've been a CNA and decided to do nursing but due to personal issues I failed out of LPN school. I researched and saw in GA they are phasing out LPN so I did phlebotomy instead of getting back in the program to get my feet in the door of a hospital. During my clinicals I met a nurse who had been a phlebotomist first and swore it made it easier. So I started this thread just to see what people had to say

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Bumping this thread because I'd also like to hear other's experiences. I just secured a job in registration at my dream hospital and start pre-reqs in January. But I've been thinking about getting a Phlebotomy cert and finding a lab job once accepted into nursing school (2017).

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I've been a phlebotomist for 13 years and am hoping to be accepted into a nursing program for next fall.

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I haven't started working yet since I had my son but I'm hoping to soon. Hoping to get my foot in the door and look at tuition reimbursement,etc.

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Bumping this thread because I'd also like to hear other's experiences. I just secured a job in registration at my dream hospital and start pre-reqs in January. But I've been thinking about getting a Phlebotomy cert and finding a lab job once accepted into nursing school (2017).

The lab work is very interesting. I had clinicals in a very small hospital so I spent a lot of time watching/helping when I can. I couldn't make a career of it though because there wasn't enough patient interaction as a medical lab technologist.

They taught me to light a math before doing a bm culture. You won't smell a thing :yeah:

There was a small bathroom for outpatients to provide urine samples. When you smelled a match you knew what was up :roflmao:

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They taught me to light a match before doing a bm culture. You won't smell a thing :yeah:

There was a small bathroom for outpatients to provide urine samples. When you smelled a match you knew what was up :roflmao:

[emoji50][emoji50]I hadn't even thought about bm's!! Lol

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

There seem to be an increasing number of RN programs that no longer include venous access skills (phleb, IV) in their programs. If so, this may be a very useful skill for new grads.

I'm interested in the comment that GA is phasing out LPNs??? Haven't heard that. Can you provide a link for further information?

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There seem to be an increasing number of RN programs that no longer include venous access skills (phleb, IV) in their programs. If so, this may be a very useful skill for new grads.

I'm interested in the comment that GA is phasing out LPNs??? Haven't heard that. Can you provide a link for further information?

They are phasing out LPN's in the area hospitals around me . (CSRA) that is not to say you cannot find work. There are plenty of LTACH or LTC facilities that rely on LPN's. There is one magnet hospital that will not hire LPN's for floor nursing but will hire them as ER techs. Their scope is extremely limited in the ER and their badge says ER TECH not LPN so they're not really recognized as a nurse. I know for a fact the other area hospitals will only hire RN's some requiring a BSN or at least 1 yr experience as a ADN.

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There seem to be an increasing number of RN programs that no longer include venous access skills (phleb, IV) in their programs. If so, this may be a very useful skill for new grads.

I'm interested in the comment that GA is phasing out LPNs??? Haven't heard that. Can you provide a link for further information?

I don't have a link. I was just speaking from what I've seen at clinicals. Both Jasper Memorial Hospital and Piedmont Fayette. I've only seen one place in Atlanta at a ENT place that wanted either LPN or medical assistant

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[emoji50][emoji50]I hadn't even thought about bm's!! Lol

Lol. Its not bad. Light a match and do your smear and your done. Bein a CNA made me immune to almost everything

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