Exploring a career in healthcare? Two entry-level paths are becoming a phlebotomist or a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Each role is unique, with different responsibilities, training requirements, and career prospects. This blog post will delve into the details of these two healthcare careers, helping you decide which might be the right fit for you. Whether you're searching for "CNA classes near me" or "phlebotomy certification", we've got you covered!

Key Points

• CNAs assist patients with basic care tasks, while Phlebotomists draw blood for medical testing.
• Both require a high school diploma or GED and completion of a short training program.
• CNA training can take 4-12 weeks, while Phlebotomy programs typically take 4-8 weeks.
• The cost of CNA and phlebotomy training is relatively similar, averaging around $1,000.
• CNAs earn $38,130, while Phlebotomists earn $41,810 per year.
• CNA jobs are expected to grow 4% (2023-2033), while Phlebotomy jobs will grow 8% (2023-2033).

Difference between CNA and Phlebotomy

What is a CNA?

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) helps patients with daily activities and basic medical care, typically working in nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted living facilities.

What Does a CNA Do?

• Assisting patients with bathing, grooming, and mobility.
• Taking vital signs like blood pressure and heart rate.
• Helping nurses with basic medical procedures.
• Providing emotional support and companionship.

What is a Phlebotomist?

A Phlebotomist specializes in drawing blood for tests, transfusions, and research. They typically work in hospitals, diagnostic labs, and blood donation centers.

What Does a Phlebotomist Do?

• Collecting blood samples from patients.
• Preparing samples for laboratory analysis.
• Ensuring patient comfort and safety during procedures.
• Labeling and tracking blood samples accurately.

What Are the Requirements to Become a CNA or Phlebotomist?

The requirements to become a Phlebotomist and CNA are very similar:

• Both require students to provide their high school diploma or GED to register for the class. Students who cannot present a high school diploma or GED may provide an 8th-grade transcript or take an 8th-grade competency exam to be eligible.

• Students usually must pass a background check, drug screening, and physical exam. They also need to provide an updated list of immunizations as requested by schools and meet certain age requirements before admission to training.

• CNA and the Phlebotomy programs take a few weeks to 3 months to complete. Costs of tuition fees vary depending on where you live and can range from $600-$2300 plus.

• After completing your cna certification training, all states require aspiring CNAs to pass the state exam. While for phlebotomists, only California, Louisiana, Nevada, and Washington require phlebotomists to be certified.

• In other states, there is no state Phlebotomy exam, but several private professional associations conduct exams. Passing one of these phlebotomy exams will give you an edge in obtaining employment.

Career Outlook and Salary

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

• Average Salary: $38,130 per year.
• Job Growth: 4% (2023-2033) – Driven by an aging population.
• Work Settings: Hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies.

Phlebotomist

• Average Salary: $41,810 per year.
• Job Growth: 8% (2023-2033) – Higher demand for diagnostic testing.
• Work Settings: Hospitals, diagnostic labs, blood banks, outpatient centers.

Keep in mind that annual income for both careers can go up or down according to location and experience!

Job Opportunities for CNA and Phlebotomy

The field of healthcare is not going anywhere. In fact, work in healthcare is only set to grow due to the aging population and advances in treatment. We will always need more Certified Nurse Assistants and Phlebotomists.

• Job growth. Studies show that both CNAs and phlebotomists have promising job outlooks. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), CNA jobs are expected to grow by 4% between 2023 and 2033, while phlebotomist positions are projected to grow by 8% during the same period. Although phlebotomy is growing at a faster percentage rate, CNAs enjoy a broad range of opportunities in various healthcare settings. Ultimately, the best career path depends on your interests and long-term goals, as both fields offer strong prospects for employment.

• Work environment. CNAs typically work in healthcare facilities, like in nursing homes but can also find jobs in assisted living, hospitals, home health care, and more. Phlebotomist's workplaces are mainly in hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, and doctor's offices.

• Career mobility. Both are entry-level roles and moving up typically requires additional certifications. However, there are still opportunities for advancement. Read our post on what comes next for CNAs. Phlebotomists can also choose to get more involved in the lab side of the work.

‍Why Should You Pick CNA Over Phlebotomy?

• CNAs have an easier time finding jobs vs. Phlebotomists. As a result, CNAs have a wider breadth of work environments and facilities to choose from. For example, there are more travel CNA opportunities than those in travel phlebotomy.

• CNAs can make more money in certain environments and times. Facilities are often understaffed, so CNAs can make a lot working overtime or for a staffing agency. Having a phlebotomist certification generally has fewer overtime opportunities.

• CNAs provide more hands-on care, so they develop stronger personal relationships with their patients. A lot of times, you'll be taking care of the same people over and over again, so you can build a relationship with them. It's a wonderful feeling to know that you have made someone's life better or just made them feel better by having company for a while. We’ve heard stories where CNAs develop stronger relationships with patients than the patients have with their own families.

• There are generally more CNA class options than phlebotomy class options. So, if you are looking for a special class schedule (eg weekends, evenings, part-time) you may have an easier time finding a CNA class that meets your needs.

Why Should You Pick Phlebotomy Over CNA?

• If you are looking for a career that pays more if you work regular hours, then being a Phlebotomist will be your best choice. Phlebotomists can make as much as $3-5/hr more.

• Phlebotomy has better working conditions. It's not quite as emotionally and physically draining as CNAs or some other medical careers. Phlebotomists also do less manual labor, since phlebotomy is focused on drawing blood. CNAs, in comparison, are on their feet all the time and may have to lift heavy patients.

• If you prefer to focus on the clinical side of healthcare, phlebotomy may be for you. Phlebotomists analyze patients’ lab results and discuss possible diagnoses with patients’ other healthcare providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the highest paying state for CNA?

As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the District of Columbia emerges as the state with the highest average annual salary for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) at $47,860, as of May 2023. The other four states where CNAs can expect top-tier compensation are Alaska, California, Oregon, and Washington.

Do you draw blood as a CNA?

According to usual regulations, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are typically not allowed to draw blood since this task is usually performed by a licensed nurse or a phlebotomist.

Can CNAs insert catheters?

Same with drawing blood, CNAs are not usually authorized to insert catheters and this is a more complex procedure that is usually performed by a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

Can a CNA use a stethoscope?

Yes, CNAs can use stethoscopes! As of 2024, it's common for CNAs to use stethoscopes for tasks like taking blood pressure readings. While they do not interpret the results, they play a crucial role in collecting data for the healthcare team.

What are the two types of phlebotomy?

Primarily, it serves two functions. The therapeutic type is used to manage specific conditions like excess iron or red blood cells in your system. The second is for diagnostic purposes, such as identifying potential health concerns like low iron levels or blood clotting issues.

Is phlebotomy stressful?

In a healthcare environment, situations can often escalate. As a phlebotomist, maintaining your calm is crucial, especially when dealing with nervous patients or when procedures don't proceed as anticipated. This is a skill that requires time and patience to master!

What are the top three highest-paid phlebotomy jobs?

• Phlebotomy Manager: In this role, you could potentially earn between $48,000 and $70,000 annually. The job involves overseeing all phlebotomy operations and staff, ensuring procedures are followed correctly, and maintaining quality control.

• Mobile or Traveling Phlebotomist: This job can bring in $42,000 to $61,000 per year. As a traveling phlebotomist, you'll be on the move, visiting patients in various locations to draw blood.

• Lab Phlebotomist: This position typically pays between $45,500 and $60,500 per year. As a lab phlebotomist, you'll not only draw blood but also process and analyze samples in a laboratory setting.

Conclusion

Both CNA and Phlebotomy are relatively affordable and fast options to start careers in healthcare. We hope to have provided you with the information that you need in order to decide whether you would like to take a CNA class or a Phlebotomy class.

If you’re still undecided, you can always start with one and later take the other, as the programs take only a few weeks each. Having both your CNA and Phlebotomy certifications can give you an edge when looking for employment. Plus, if you later get your EKG certification, you will be a certified Patient Care Technician.

If you are looking for a CNA and/or a Phlebotomy class, come visit us at Dreambound to check out our programs.