Phlebotomy/CLS certification or CNA

[sunshine321@]

Hello. I'm having a dilemma with trying to decide what to do during my gap year. I have been volunteering at a hospital and also shadowing but I would like to get a job that gives me some more clinical experience. I have applied to what feels like a hundred jobs with no luck so far and I decided that I should get certification instead to increase my chances of getting a job that involves patient care experience. Right now I can't decide between phlebotomy and CNA. At my local community college, both CNA and phlebotomy classes are offered but I'm leaning more towards phlebotomy because in addition to phlebotomy certification, I can get certified as a clinical lab specialist. They offer a dual certificate essentially. This way, I am not only limited to phlebotomy but I can also work in a lab/research. This dual certification also offers 100 hours of clinical experience ( I'm not sure if this is different from any other institute offering phlebotomy certification). However, I also interested in becoming a CNA but that will take longer to get. However, I may get more direct patient experience. Which one would be a better route?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Elfie]

I would do phlebotomy. It pays a bit better and your not at the complete bottom of the totem pole (not that anything is wrong with that). Plus you even said you'll get dual certification with that so that's a plus as well. From what I understand, as long as you're doing something meanwhile during your gap year, you're fine - and both of those things are good ways to spend your gap year!

 

[popopopop]

^Lol, totem pole. Don't go into a job thinking that. CNAs are crucial to good patient care and a good one is hard to find. It's a hard job that requires some grit and elbow grease, but you'll get direct patient contact and maybe even understand what's happening during a patient's hospital stay. You're be working on the floor and will interact with the care team directly. Phlebotomists draw labs from room to room, and that's the extent of their knowledge of patient contact and interaction.

 

[Elfie]

Like I said, there's nothing wrong with that, BUT if you have the resources and ability to do something better paying and not quite as near the bottom, I'd take it if possible. I'm a CNA and although I love my job, I am at the bottom of the totem pole. And I'm fine with that.

 

[TXMED_1695]

I took the CNA route and you do get a lot of direct patient care experience. But if you get stuck in BH, or MH as a CNA, it is an absolute nightmare.

Hello. I'm having a dilemma with trying to decide what to do during my gap year. I have been volunteering at a hospital and also shadowing but I would like to get a job that gives me some more clinical experience. I have applied to what feels like a hundred jobs with no luck so far and I decided that I should get certification instead to increase my chances of getting a job that involves patient care experience. Right now I can't decide between phlebotomy and CNA. At my local community college, both CNA and phlebotomy classes are offered but I'm leaning more towards phlebotomy because in addition to phlebotomy certification, I can get certified as a clinical lab specialist. They offer a dual certificate essentially. This way, I am not only limited to phlebotomy but I can also work in a lab/research. This dual certification also offers 100 hours of clinical experience ( I'm not sure if this is different from any other institute offering phlebotomy certification). However, I also interested in becoming a CNA but that will take longer to get. However, I may get more direct patient experience. Which one would be a better route?

 

[PreMedTex]

Why not find a scribing job?
For clinical exposure: Scribing >>>>>>>>>> EMT>>>> CNA >>> Phlebotomist