Would you nurses like me better if......

[yuyu75]

So i am in my 2nd week of a 5 week CNA course. I am in a little dilemma. After this CNA course, I was thinking about getting my phelbotomy certificate when I was finished...would I get a better job opportunity with a CNA with a phelbotomy cert or should I just forget about the phlebotomy and start on my pre-reqs for nursing school? Would I be more of help to the nurses if I were a CNA who could also draw blood? Just curious! Thanks

[Reno1978, BSN, RN]

I would imagine that if you want to be a RN someday, just get a job as a CNA and don't worry about your phlebotomy certificate.

If you were a CNA you probably wouldn't be asked to draw blood, even if you did have a phlebotomy cert, simply because that isn't in a CNA's scope of practice. Likewise, you wouldn't be able to do CNA duties if you were hired as a phlebotomist. They're two entirely different job descriptions.

[SharonH, RN]

I've rarely seen the role of the CNA and the phlebotomist mix; either you are one or the other although in some settings you may very well use both skills. If you are planning to go on to nursing school however, I don't recommend you take all these ancillary classes. They're not free, are they? Just start on your pre-reqs.

[Valerie Salva, BSN, RN]

Nurses are grateful for and appreciate, hard-working, smart CNAs who know their job and do it well. That's all you need as a CNA.

[yuyu75]

Oh, thanks so much all of you for the quick responses. That is actually what I was thinking but wanted to make sure. I will definetaly (sp) start working on my pre-reqs while hopefully finding a job as a CNA and making you nurses proud!! thanks again

[Valerie Salva, BSN, RN]

All the best of luck to you!

[daisydoll]

I would suggest taking the phlebotomy course. I never drew blood until I was out of school and I would have felt more competent as a new nurse if I had some practice drawing blood.

Also depending on the job you get you may be required to draw blood. In certain hospitals PCA's do draw blood.

[chenoaspirit, ASN, RN]

Our CNA's used to draw blood, up until about 3 months ago when lab took over. But when the CNA's did it, their title changed to PCA's and they got $1.00 more on the hour. It isnt worth it though because they still had all the CNA work along with drawing blood on everyone on the floor. It wasnt worth that measly dollar. If your goal is to become a nurse, then you need to focus on that. Good luck!

[sim-sim future nurse]

I think that you should definitely become a CNA and work as one if you want to become a RN. However, if it is possible for you to take the phlebotomy course then I think that you should do it as well. I am in nursing school and we never learned how to draw up blood and I have only started one IV on someone so far (I am almost done with the program). I wish that I would have taken a phlebotomy course before I started.

[HonestRN]

I think we will like you whatever you chose because you sound like you are earnest about being a good team worker. Good luck with your schooling whatever you chose to do.

[edisongirl25]

I would just do the CNA course. If you get hired at a facility that allows you to draw blood (mine did), they will have a 2-3 day skills course that incorporates this into it....but you will be a PCA/PCT, which basically is a CNA with more responsibilities...Good Luck!!

[ncoli123]

I am a LNA then I took a job at a MD office as a medical assistant, they trained me in phlebotomy. I think that it is not within the realm of a LNA to draw blood. You can train to do both but employment wise it's one or the other... hospital wise anyway. So if your hired as a LNA you cant draw blood, phlebotomist you can't do LNA care. I am a senior in nursing school, I think nursing schools your better bet. You can get trained in phlebotomy later!