Phlebotomy Certification

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Apr 27, 2012

I'm taking Phlebotomy this summer instead of CNA. I read posts all the time of new RN grads who feel nervous that they didn't get enough experience inserting IV lines. I'd like to get the hands-on experience of different types of blood draws and inserting IV lines, instead of doing mundane CNA tasks (like making beds, cleaning, laundry, etc.) Yes, I know...there's more to being a CNA than that, but I was a CNA back in the 90s and the part of the job I didn't like was the mundane cleaning tasks. I loved the patient interaction and really enjoyed that. I feel like with the Phlebotomy, I still get the hands-on patient interaction, I'm learning some great venipuncture skills that will definitely be useful when I'm an RN and I can help earn points towards getting accepted into nursing school. Win-win all the way around :)

I just got my books and I've read the first 4 chapters of the phlebotomy text. It looks like this is going to be a GREAT class. I'm REALLY looking forward to it!

lacl · Apr 28, 2012

I am currently in a LVN program and took both CNA and phlebotomy before applying and both were great learning experiences for me. It helped me stick to nursing even more and I became more confident as a person especially with all that face to face interaction I got to do. Phlebotomy was my favorite class and still is one of the things I like to do. I enjoyed drawing blood from patients and when I was a student phlebotomist at clinical sites, there were patients who didn't want me to draw from them, but after seeing me couple of times, eventually let me and once they saw that I was successful, they automatically gave me their arm when they saw me. That boosted my confidence because it shows that patients trusted my skills. Experiences like that are something you can't get elsewhere. There was a student who passed out whenever we drew blood from each other, but it didn't stop him from learning; currently, he is working as a phlebotomist! It never hurts to try a few of those classes (except your $$) and you'll definitely learn what you want to do in life.

Inori, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2012

Great idea! I did the phlebotomist certification as well though have yet ot actually use it to make monies but the experience is excellent. I know that when I go into clinicals I can definetly get a vein, I know at least 2-3 other ways of getting blood, tricks to get hard sticks, and also am much more aware of the possibility of needle sticks and take the proper precautions. I'm a new RN grad and that was my plan too to work as phlebotomist while in school LOL but dinna use it as I was too busy with final semester studying. Either way you have much to gain and nothing to lose.

live4ever · Apr 30, 2012

I have completed both the CNA and Phlebotomy programs at my cc and I can tell you that both will give you so much more self confidence. Both were a great learning experience even though they cost some money. If you have the time and money I would do both because you will get to see two different career paths in healthcare and thus have more options for your future.

Just something to think about. :idea:

student forever · Jun 10, 2012

Thanks for the comments. I have been thinking along these exact lines, and the specific input really helps! allnurses rocks!

Brookelin · Jun 10, 2012

Thanks for this post! I have been toying with the idea of taking either the CNA or Phlebotomy certifications myself, but wasn't sure if it would help out or not. I'm also a little nervous about drawing blood from people (I'm a very hard stick and have had so many nightmare experiences with untrained people poking the crap out of me!) and would love to have that confidence before going into the nursing program. Also, I'm sure it looks good on a resume. But a couple of friends I have in the medical field seem to think I'll be wasting my time and have been making me feel a little uncertain about it.

Bobmo88 · Jun 11, 2012

I am attempting to attend a LPN program with the eventual goal to bridge to RN after I spend some time in the field. The college I am planning on attending has a few medical certification programs they offer. CNA and Phlebotomy along with a few others. I am considering taking at least Phlebotomy if not both while I am doing the five or so Gen. Ed. classes the LPN program requires. I feel as long as I am there already might as well take a few steps to better myself in the long run. If I'm able to draw blood a little better without causing pain because I've had more training then my peers I feel that is a plus. I enjoy preparing myself and I think it might offer me some more insight in the future. I just want to make sure it is worth it in the long run? Would this be a sound idea? Thank you!

I work as an ER Tech and one of my main duties is phlebotomy. It is a good skill to have but it isn't about just poking people but knowing what additives are in what tubes and what order you need to draw them in etc. Another misconception is that the higher the skill a phlebotomist has, the less pain they cause to the patient. You could do everything properly and still cause pain. It is just the luck of the draw (no pun intended haha) whether your patient feels pain or not because it depends on if you hit a pain receptor. Sometimes I'll poke patients and they'll tell me they didn't feel anything and sometimes they'll be writhing in pain, even on the same person.

Something that you might want to consider is that working as a CNA would probably provide more skills that are applicable to nursing than phlebotomy unless you live in a state where CNAs are able to draw blood. Phlebotomy can sometimes be more lab-oriented, especially if you work as a lab assistant that also performs venipuncture. Good luck to you!

Mommyfuturenurse · Jul 19, 2015

I completely understand you. My family thinks I am overdoing it but I just want to feel completely prepared, have a back up plan, and I honestly enjoy any knowledge of the medical field. I am a CNA, taking EKG next year (my friend is teaching the course!), learning a third language and now I am thinking of adding phlebotomy! My college is also requiring a pharmacology course as a prerequisite to their nursing program, which is fine by me! I say take the chance and get as much knowledge as possible.