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

• Phlebotomists, who draw blood for medical testing, and CNAs, who assist patients with basic care tasks like feeding, grooming, and mobility, play crucial roles in the healthcare industry.

• A phlebotomist salary generally surpasses that of a CNA per hour. However, job openings for CNAs tend to be more frequent, offering more opportunities to get your foot in the door of the healthcare industry.

• Both phlebotomy and CNA training can be largely completed online in most states. However, in-person components for clinical or hands-on experience are almost always present. Whether you're looking for "CNA classes" or "phlebotomy certification", ensure the course includes practical training!

• The cost of CNA and phlebotomy training is relatively similar, averaging around $1,000. The duration of the training can span approximately 4 weeks or more.

Difference between CNA and Phlebotomy

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.

‍What are the duties of a CNA and Phlebotomist?

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and Phlebotomists are two sought-after professions in the healthcare industry:

• CNAs help patients with basic care such as bathing, grooming, and wound care while patients reside in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or hospitals.

• Phlebotomists draw blood from patients for various reasons including tests, research, and donations.

‍How much does a CNA and phlebotomy earn?

As a phlebotomist and CNA, your salary is going to be based on a lot of factors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS for short, will provide you with some pretty standard numbers that you can use as your guide. Based on BLS data:

• Median annual wage for phlebotomists was $41,810 in May 2023. The demand for phlebotomists is expected to grow by 8% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than average for all occupations. This growth is driven by the population and an increased need for services in diagnosing diseases and related roles.

• Median annual wage for CNAs was $38,130 in May 2023. The demand for CNAs is expected to grow by 4% from 2023 to 2033, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by an aging population and an increased need for long-term care services.

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

‍What job opportunities are there in 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 the job outlook for CNAs is strong and there are many career opportunities for this type of work. Because CNA jobs are expected to grow by 4% between 2022 to 2032, you can imagine how good this might be as a career path. Phlebotomy is also growing quickly but not quite as much as CNA. As a result, CNAs have an easier time finding jobs.

• 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 (think Labcorp or Quest Diagnostics), 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.