Wistful musing
8 weeks ago, I walked into this building for the first time. I'm not sure if I really knew what I was in for when I did. Today, having finished finals, I walked out of it for the last. I'm still not technically done. I still have clinicals to do. But, there's still something emotional about this moment. It's been a heck of an 8 weeks, that much is for sure. Now, it's on to the next step.
Thoughts from after finals but before clinicals
This really was quite interesting. It's weird just how much competence and confidence you can gain in just 8 weeks. 8 weeks ago, I knew very little about phlebotomy. Now, even before the practice I'll get in clinicals, I'm more competent than the average phlebotomist. Like, I'm now more competent than some of the people who have drawn my blood. That's weird.
Thoughts from after finals but before clinicals
And, I mean, I'll only get better over the next 8 weeks as I gain more experience not just with doing venipuncture, but doing it on patients harder than my classmates and instructors. All in just 16 weeks. (Actually, probably less. 13 or so, really.) It feels weird knowing that. This seemed like such a complex thing, but...it's not? Like, it is, but it isn't. It's weird.
Thoughts from after finals but before clinicals
One semester seemed like an awfully short time 8 weeks ago, and, it kinda is, but it kinda isn't?
Anyways, it's now time for me to head into a hospital and get even better. 8 weeks and they're already trusting me in a hospital. Not alone. I'll still have someone keeping an eye on me. But still. That feels weird, but not?
Thoughts on outpatient phlebotomy
Of course, then again, outpatient labs seem to be more than willing to take less than me. Some of my classmates are working at Labcorp and listening to them talk about their orientation, geez that makes me never want to go to Labcorp again. I'm honestly concerned that my classmates will be the most knowledgeable people at their clinical locations. That's not good.
Thoughts on outpatient phlebotomy
And that doesn't surprise me. If I remember the phlebotomy 1 job openings their only requirements are customer service experience. Makes me wonder how much training they give those who come in with none when they're telling my classmates to forget their training. Seriously, like, that might just be the biggest revelation of this course: most outpatient phlebotomists likely have next to no training. Yikes.