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

[calliesue]

I think I would take the phlebot class for two reasons. One when you get in nursing school you will be ahead of the game re that skill set, and two if you can get a job drawing blood for a lab it will be less physically demanding then cna/tech work.:typing:typing

[ncoli123]

We weren't trained to draw blood in nursing school. NIC

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

We weren't trained to draw blood in nursing school. NIC

we weren't either. My school had an optional veinipuncture course you could take once you were a RN - but most of us just got our iv experience from orientating on the unit.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I have to make a correction; there are titles for UAPs (unlicensed assistive personnel) that combine the CNA/Phlebotomist/EKG technician together (so, yes, these two titles sometimes do, in fact, merge). They are called Patient Care Technicians/Associates. They are primarily hired in hospital settings, and yes, it is an addition for the CNAs to be able to draw blood. I did this myself before becoming an LPN.

Another good reason to obtain the phlebotomy certification is because as a nurse, starting IVs is a part of the job. Having this under your belt would make it a bit easier. One of my MAIN advantages is being a phlebotomist, because most nurses do not draw blood, they get me ALL the time. This has helped me for many choice per diem assignments as an LPN.

If your school offers that class and it doesn't conflict with future immediate plans, reconsider and take it. And, if they offer an EKG class that will teach you the basic rhythms, do that as well, because this would certainly help you out in nursing school!

[Jilaweez, BSN, MSN, RN]

Some of the other posters have mentioned this, but I will too. I work in a hospital where tech's are allowed to draw blood. They trained me in their outpatient lab and on the job, for free. If you know where you are planning on working you can call and ask if they allow the techs to draw blood and if so, what kind of training is provided. If they don't allow it, you might not be able to draw blood anyway, even with a phlebotomy certificate, unless you work as a phlebotomist.

[ShannonRN2010, BSN, RN]

Most nurses like a CNA that is compent, provides good care of the patient, and works with the other nursing staff members to care for the patients in the best manner properly.

I always like a CNA that can do independent thought and reasoning...

Most places I have worked, either the nursing staff or the Lab, would draw blood.

I did the PCT class prior to becoming a nurse...it did help me when we started doing IV's though.