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Discussion

Phlebotomy certification or pharmacy tech?

In your opinion, which is more useful to have on the side? I am about to finish my first semester in Nursing school and I know my scholarship will run out soon (I applied a semester late) so I want to be certified in something related to my career and also to have something as a back up for when I have to work.

I have the opportunity to become certified in either phlebotomy or as a pharmacy technician. I am torn between what to do...

I can take phlebotomy classes over my whole summer break at a local community college (about $600 out of pocket total for including the scrubs, exam and course fees, book).

Whereas, the pharmacy technician exam or PCTB can be taken for $130. My friend and I could study for this exam on our own (she has the book and I have a friend who is also majoring in pre-pharmacy who can help us)

I confirmed with the pre-pharmacy advisor at my university and they said that I do not have to be enrolled into formal classes in order to take the exam, but I have to take this exam and pass regardless if I want to be certified.

I just don't know what would be more useful for Nursing... I think phlebotomy would be fun and I think it is interesting. I know that finding a vein would be difficult; I also do not mind working with blood.

Next semester, (in the fall) I will be taking Nursing Pharmacology so I thought this would also help me become familiar with the drugs.. etc. I am leaning more towards becoming pharmacy certified because it is obviously cheaper and it will boost me a little for school.l.. I am aware that you have to become re-certified every two years and I do not mind.

I just want some opinions on what you would do in my situation or what would you reccomend? Thank you :)

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    I would do the pharmacy tech option. It's cheaper and can help you learn medicines, of which there are a ton

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    • Author

    Thank you :)

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    I'm a phlebotomist! And I love it. You learn why test are ordered and what they are looking at. I'm doing my preq. for nursing now and it's nice to have some patient care experience.

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    I did phlebotomy before nursing school but it was not as relevant to nursing as the work I've done as a nurse tech.

    You might consider seeing if your state allows nursing students to work as nurse techs (CNA work), that way you could get a job over the summer and not have to pay anything to get more education!

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    • Author

    I didn't think of this! Thank you I will ask my clinical instructors and the hospitals I go to. :)

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    Depends on what your strengths are. If you are good at memorizing then you can probably get through nursing pharmacology decently and should go phlebotomy to get that experience and patient exposure. If you're like me and can talk with anyone and aren't worried about being comfortable around patients but suck at memorizing things then do the pharmacy tech. Go with whichever you feel the least confident with so you can learn it well for nursing school.

    Side note for the students out there: pharmacology dies get easier with practice. I've been a nurse for 5 years and am helping my brother in law through his first year of pharmacist school by quizzing him on side effects, interactions and drug calculations [emoji106]🏻 all it takes is practice.

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    Pharmacy tech. Being surrounded by all medicines will help you in the future.

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