Thinking of taking a phlebotomy class while waiting...

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Since I will have almost a year before I can even get in the RN program, I'm thinking of taking a phlebotomy class? Has anyone done this and found that it helped? As this is one of the areas that worries me a little, I thought if I could become proficient in it, I won't let that anxiety hit me when I am in nursing school.

I'm finding myself trying to face those areas that cause me the most anxiety rather than avoiding them.

I'm in practical nursing school right now, and I took phlebotomy over a 16 week course. I really enjoyed it. I think it's a good course to take. They do however train you to draw blood at some of the blood banks... (at least they do in Indiana) so if you were wanting to do this as a job I would find out what blood banks are offering the course before you spend your money.

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I'm in practical nursing school right now, and I took phlebotomy over a 16 week course. I really enjoyed it. I think it's a good course to take. They do however train you to draw blood at some of the blood banks... (at least they do in Indiana) so if you were wanting to do this as a job I would find out what blood banks are offering the course before you spend your money.

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Actually in the sense of cost, the phlebotomy course that I am now looking into is cheaper (~$325) plus it is for 165 hours with both didactic and clinical components. I'll be going four nights a week for 5 hours for about 8 weeks. Also, the hospital that I eventually want to work at has positions available.

I also believe that you can connect with a patient as much as being a phlebotomist as a CNA. Trying to give the most skillful and careful venipuncture as possible would probably be very appreciated by patients. JMHO.

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I wish they had 8 week phlebotomy classes in my state. Here it is a 2 year program!

Holy Tamale! And I thought California was going overboard with their recent changes in the requirements for phlebotomist certification. What in the world do you have to take that fills up 2 years?

Our medical lab technician program is 2 years...

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Actually in the sense of cost, the phlebotomy course that I am now looking into is cheaper (~$325) plus it is for 165 hours with both didactic and clinical components. I'll be going four nights a week for 5 hours for about 8 weeks. Also, the hospital that I eventually want to work at has positions available.

I also believe that you can connect with a patient as much as being a phlebotomist as a CNA. Trying to give the most skillful and careful venipuncture as possible would probably be very appreciated by patients. JMHO.

The difference is this: the phlebotomist might spend 10 minutes with the patient. The CNA will be responsible for a set of patients for a whole shift.

As a phlebotomist, you'll know something about their veins; as a CNA, you may very well know every square inch of them!

NurseFirst

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The difference is this: the phlebotomist might spend 10 minutes with the patient. The CNA will be responsible for a set of patients for a whole shift.

As a phlebotomist, you'll know something about their veins; as a CNA, you may very well know every square inch of them!

NurseFirst

I totally agree with you!!

As a CNA you get down and dirty with the pts AAAAAAANNNNND you work side by side with the nurse!

I think that is more condusive to nursing school. Hey I learned how to put in heplocks in one day! I traveled with the IV team for one shift in my hospital and Im ceritfied to start Iv's.

Im thankful for starting out as a Cna. The pt contact, mastering basic pt care and basic documentation took a load off of all the other responsibilities I had to master!

In the end, you will make the decision that is right for you....

I am sending good thoughts your way!! :)

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Specializes in Cardiovascular Recovery.

I can tell you from my experience and the feedback I receive from the nurses I work with that the interpersonal skills with patients is just as important as technical skills. If you feel like being a phlebotomist while awaiting nursing school will help you then go for it. I work as a CNA & my facility requires all CNAs to be trained for phlebotomy on the job regardless of whether or not they've taken a class (talk about inexpensive training) which works out great for me so when I when I went to another facility for my clinicals and observed the new phlebotomists coming to draw blood I was personally unimpressed at the amount of interaction they had with the patient I was assigned. They were in and out with barely a hello. My point is if you want to be a phlebotomist for the experience make the best of it. Someone posted the difference in the amount of time spent with your patient is 10 minutes compared to a shift...I say 2-5 minutes on many occassions, so make good use of your time to develop those interpersonal skills. Best wishes.

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