phlebotomist first

direw0lf, BSN · Dec 11, 2015

My one week phlebotomy cert course consisted of learning about different collection tubes and what you need to do for them (centrifuge, tap, etc), needle types and gauges, anatomy, infection, and getting to stick 3x. Needless to say I don't feel confident to draw blood.

KThurmond · Dec 11, 2015

My one week phlebotomy cert course consisted of learning about different collection tubes and what you need to do for them (centrifuge, tap, etc), needle types and gauges, anatomy, infection, and getting to stick 3x. Needless to say I don't feel confident to draw blood.

I had 3 monrhs in clinical. It took me @ least a month to feel confident.

paramedic90 · Dec 11, 2015

I am a certified phlebotomist and have worked in a microbiology lab for 3 years and I am also a nursing student. Working in the lab is completely different than nursing work. I worked 3 years in micro then transferred to a nursing assistant position at the same hospital and working in the lab does not prepare you for nursing work in my opinion. I went and got my EMT cert to be able to transfer and EMT definitely helped me out a lot more. You learn more about patient care, and actually conversing with patients and their families, whereas lab work is more of the behind the scenes stuff. Now when it comes to blood draws of course I am one step ahead of everyone else, and I loved working in the lab. Good luck to you!

KThurmond · Dec 11, 2015

I liked lab work but I knew id rather do nursing. I can tell thats where I'm going to be happiest.

paramedic90 · Dec 11, 2015

Same here. I loved the micro lab! But I much rather work with patients on a daily basis.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 13, 2015

I did CNA back in the early 90s. Fast forward to 2012 and doing pre-reqs for nursing school. They required either current CNA, EMT or Phlebotomy certification for admission in to the program. Since my CNA had expired, I didn't like the thought of having to re-take it. So, I opted for phlebotmy. I took a full-fledged certification course (16 weeks in classroom, 16 weeks externship for a total of 32 weeks). I did draws on a surgical floor and in the patient lab after morning surgical draws were completed. It was GREAT experience. I learned how to wake up patients gently at 4 AM. I learned how to do draws on elderly, fragile, roll-y veins. I learned how to do draws on babies. I learned how to prep samples for the lab and assist the MLS. Most of all, I learned great tricks for finding a vein.

My venipunture experience has come in quite handy when it's time to put in IVs. You don't get much training in IV starts or lab draws in nursing school. I was able to nail mine every time because I had the confidence & experience to do it. I know the order of draw, so when we have to get samples from central lines, the tubes don't get filled in the wrong order and cause a potential issue (especially with coag draws). I know how to get a sample and make sure it doesn't hemolyze. No one likes to poke a patient more than once.

I'm glad I got the phlebotomy certification prior to nursing school. Had I not had the CNA background prior, I would have done CNA because you learn valuable skills. However, if you get proper training, phlebotomy can definitely help you. It just depends on the training program. I did mine at the same school where I got my RN.

RiaWndrful · Dec 13, 2015

I took a full-fledged certification course (16 weeks in classroom, 16 weeks externship for a total of 32 weeks). I did draws on a surgical floor and in the patient lab after morning surgical draws were completed. It was GREAT experience. I learned how to wake up patients gently at 4 AM. I learned how to do draws on elderly, fragile, roll-y veins. I learned how to do draws on babies. I learned how to prep samples for the lab and assist the MLS. Most of all, I learned great tricks for finding a vein.
My venipunture experience has come in quite handy when it's time to put in IVs. You don't get much training in IV starts or lab draws in nursing school. I was able to nail mine every time because I had the confidence & experience to do it. I know the order of draw, so when we have to get samples from central lines, the tubes don't get filled in the wrong order and cause a potential issue (especially with coag draws). I know how to get a sample and make sure it doesn't hemolyze. No one likes to poke a patient more than once.

This is so good to know! It seems like the difference may lie in whether one does a short (one-six week program) or a long one. I have previous experience working in a residential neuro-rehab facility doing direct patient care. We didn't need any previous cert as they did extensive OTJ training. ... Anyhow, you've given me food for thought in regards to doing a longer, more extensive phlebotomy program!