phlebotomy tech

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Specializes in Telemetry / Oncology.

I am waiting acceptance into one of many nursing programs, however, I heard clinical experience is key to nursing sucess. Does anyone know if it is worth it to become a Certified Phlebotomy Tech in order to gain clinical experience in a hospital? Also does anyone know how easy it is to obtain a job after one becomes a CPT?

If not what would be better? I plan on becoming a CPT and then probably becoming a CNA. Any advice?

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I loved it and it really has eased my feelings about becoming a nurse. I had no intention of ever becoming a nurse until I did my clinicals. Finding a job though... diffrent story there...

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Specializes in ER, OB.

i would definatly think about becoming a cna. you will gain so much from it. phlebotomy is good too but you will get more out of becoming a cna. some cnas are trained to do phlebotomy is some areas. good luck and my advice is to get your cna. you will learn all kinds of things besides just "skills" you will learn time managment and communication plus tons of other stuff. again good luck!!!!:)

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I agree, cna would get your more experience, but it 100% wasnt for me.

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I agree! I have done some CNA work and I have also worked as a phlebotomist. Working as a CNA you get more 1 on 1 time with the pt. It there is more care involved. In phlebotomy (while it was alot of fun) you just go in get your stick and leave. Theres really no time with the pt. I'm not a nurse but I would def. think that being a CNA would help more with your pt. skills. :up: CNA work I think is alot harder due to all the diffrent things that you are responsible for getting done, and all the pts that you have, but I really think that it is well worth the experience. It really takes a special person to do what thoes people do everyday.:heartbeat

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When it comes to the health care field, just about any experience can be very useful. I'm going to take a CNA course next academic year (I'm actually really excited about it!! :nurse:) and then I'll probably get my phlebotomy certification. Although, I do hear it's pretty competitive getting a phlebotomy position.....

My reasons are this. I'm kinda shy, and I figure the being a CNA will help me get over that since it is direct-care. Also, I'm really anxious about venipuncture....I mean REALLY nervous. So, at least the act of becoming a phlebotomist will help me with that.

So, then even if I don't get into my program (applying for Fall 2009), I'll at least have some certification and job experience under my belt so that I can work while figuring out "what next?"

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Telemetry / Oncology.

So you didn't want to become a nurse until you worked as a phlebotomist? How tough is it to get a job? I thought that there is an intership period and that a person would most likely get hired at the place he/she did the intership.

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nope didnt want to be a nurse until I fell in love with the ER. Most places will hire you to work as needed, but in my experience, getting a full or part time job will take a long time. Lots of nurses are starting to do draws, which takes the need for phlebotomists down a few notches. It was great experience became I got to be in the room during codes and see things I've never seen before.

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Specializes in Telemetry / Oncology.
i would definatly think about becoming a cna. you will gain so much from it. phlebotomy is good too but you will get more out of becoming a cna. some cnas are trained to do phlebotomy is some areas. good luck and my advice is to get your cna. you will learn all kinds of things besides just "skills" you will learn time managment and communication plus tons of other stuff. again good luck!!!!:)

do you know what areas use phlebotomists and cnas? i was reading other posts and someone said that she had a real advantage being a cna and a phlebotomist. would i have an easier time getting a cna job if i was a certified phlebotomist?

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do CNA...it's a pre-req for many community colleges. It'll just open up more doors for you to apply for ADN programs.

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Specializes in Aspiring BSN/MSN/MBA Candidate.

The answer would largely depend on your interests and finances. If you're funding this out of pocket, you'll probably want to start with CNA training. Finding a job will be easy and it is likely that your employer will provide you with the additional skills for ECG and Phlebotomy or provide tuition reimbursement.

Some schools offer a Patient Care Technician program which includes all three portions mentioned above. It is true, a phlebotomist must have experience and many schools provide an internship/externship for their program attendees.

In regard to cost, I would say that the CNA will probably be the most affordable. You have to factor in classroom time and clinical as well. The one caveat might be ECG, which may not have a defined clinical aspect.

If you have additional questions please feel free to send me a message. I'm taking my CNA and ECG simultaneously along with college courses. *l* I'll start Phlebotomy in the fall.

Good Luck,

Novi

:nurse:

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Specializes in CNA/Nursing Student.

I am currently a CNA but I am thinking about taking a course in both phlebotomy and EKG because it's very hard to find a job in a hospital setting here without those qualifications. At some hospitals, if you're a CNA, they'll train you in phlebotomy and EKG but it just depends on the hospital. If you're thinking about doing both the CNA and phlebotomy training then you should look into a Patient Care Technician program which is basically CNA training plus phlebotomy and EKG all in one course. Good luck!

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