Certified Nurses Aid/Phlebotomy/EKG Tech?

I am considering changing careers, due to displacement. Michigan's economy is AWFUL right now and finding jobs is very difficult.

Can anyone advise me on the practicalities of being a CNA, Phlebotomy Tech, EKG Tech?

What are the job prospects like in Michigan in these fields? What is an average wage? Advantages? Disadvantages?

Thank you kindly! :)

I can advise you on becoming a CNA. Contrary to popular belief, this job is not made up of "wiping butts". The wages are good comparatively too, I make 11.52/hr. I was trained at the nursing home that currently employs me and they actually paid me to become a CNA. Many nursing homes will do this for you, whether the training be paid or free, it is still much better then shelling out the min. $600 at a community college to become certified. Call around to local nursing homes, I guarantee you will find one with this type of a training class. I would check it out. Now on to the job itself. Being a CNA is one of the most humble and rewarding careers I believe you could choose. Your job is no longer just about a paycheck, it has greater meaning. You deal with the same residents day in and day out so you become for a lot of them, the only family they have. I cannot think of a greater purpose then to care for those who most often are forgot about in society. You can be the one that makes the difference in their lives. It is rewarding beyond words. So much so that I took a 50% pay cut to do this type of work and I couldnt have made a better decision. This is also a position wih amazing job security (the baby boomer are start to age into geriactrics) and unlimited growth potential (many institiutions offer tuition reimbursement). Good luck on your decision, just follow your heart and you will find happiness. :)

Sounds like you would benefit best by enrolling in a local technical school that provides Medical Assistanting courses. You will learn EKG's, injections, venipunctures, etc. You can move from there to a hospital lab, or clinic, or physician office. Go for it! You can do it and it is not that expensive and many grants are available. Best to you.

Do you have a good amount of manual dexterity?

If not, forget being a phlebotomist. You will hurt people unnecessarily. I'm not trying to discourage you.

You do know that being a CNA is like working at McDonald's in terms of salary, dont you? You will wind up at a nursing home literally wiping patients' butts.

I dont know about the EKG tech.

Check out the trade schools for becoming an LPN. It takes 15 months and the pay is pretty good and stable. If you are willing to be a CNA, you may as well make more money and be an LPN. More responsibility, and harder to get thru the courses, but you are motivated, right?

Just so you know the reality.

It sounds like to me that you are trying to specialize in too many fields of study in the medical field. Make a decision on what degree of interaction you want to have with those that you work with and for. How much time are you willing to spend in school to get to that end? How much financial aid is available to you and how much out of pocket cost? Where in the medical field is your desire and passion? Lastly if you are committed to education and money for your career after graduation is a big factor,then consider this following thought. Get yourself on the waiting list for RN program. Typically 2-3 years waiting list. Get your prerequisites out of the way and by that time it will be time to enter program courses many colleges and tech schools have programs for RN to complete in two years.