NETC students receiving phlebotomy pins, certifications

There is one thing that isn't taught in phlebotomy class, yet it's learned: confidence.

Northeastern Technical College students, Janique Stanton, 26, and Keyonna Lloyd, 41, both of Bennettsville, successfully completed their phlebotomy certification at the end of July and received their class pins during an Aug. 2 ceremony at the Dillon campus.

Both students started the phlebotomy program looking to add another skillset in their career paths, even if they were not sure of themselves at the onset.

"Completing phlebotomy is a serious accomplishment. Both Janique and Keyonna walked away with a bit of confidence. I'm proud of them," said Bridget Graham, NETC Phlebotomy Instructor.

Stanton graduated from Marlboro High in 2015 and attended some college for business administration until the school she was enrolled in permanently closed its doors leaving her without certifications and financial roadblocks.

"I was trying to go back to school and kept running into (financial aid) problems," said Stanton, who began working two jobs – special needs and fast food.

While working a shift at Subway earlier in the year, Stanton was approached by NAACP Bennettsville Branch President Betty Quick.

"She asked if I wanted to go back to school. I said, yes," Stanton said. "She gave me her number. I've never seen her before. It was like she came out of the blue and popped up."

Hesitant to commit after Quick with a scholarship proposal, Stanton called and signed up for NETC 's phlebotomy course.

Graham describes Stanton as an introvert and quieter than her classmates, however, was a good sticker and "being good at it helped her come out of her shell."

Lloyd is a married mother-of-three, who decided to step out of her comfort zone by enrolling in NETC's phlebotomy program.

"I wanted to do something different," said Lloyd, who has been working as a CNA for 15 years.

Lloyd's passion is caring for people, which first led her to the medical field, and planned to advance in her nursing career until her mother became ill and dropped out to care for her.

"I wanted to go back but I didn't want to stop and go and stop and go," she said.

As time marched on, Lloyd made the decision to go back to school in May 2023 with her husband and children backing her decision.

"Lloyd started the class as if she didn't think she had the knowledge or be able to obtain the knowledge she needed and thought she could not reach the epitome of her success. Confidence must come from within, and she wound up being good," Graham said.

Phlebotomy is medical training to properly insert needles into collect blood.

NETC offers 10-week summer phlebotomy classes

The curriculum consists of classwork, quizzes, and assignments and begin practical exercises about midway through the course, Graham said.

Students are required as part of the class to make 50 sticks with some in-class with the majority during clinicals in the field – the Marlboro County classes use Care South's Bennettsville site, she said.

"It takes about two or three weeks to be able to find veins, to know what a vein feels like, and to know the difference in needle sizes and tube colors," Graham said.

Before working with the public during clinicals, phlebotomy students practice on each other. It's dauting and classmates have to learn to trust each other, Graham said.

For many phlebotomy students, the first attempt at sticking another student with a needle is intimidating.

"All students have the fear of hurting someone," she said.

The first time having to stick a classmate is scary, said Stanton who learned a valuable lesson technique during class and clinicals.

"Once you talk to a patient and make them feel comfortable, it makes you feel comfortable," she said.

"You must coach yourself and find your confidence. This is what I signed up for," Lloyd said.

For more information about phlebotomy or NETC's nursing program, visit online at www.netc.edu.

PHOTO: NETC phlebotomy student Janique Stanton, of Bennettsville, NETC Instructor Bridget Graham, and NETC phlebotomy student Keyonna Lloyd celebrate receiving their certifications at the Aug. 2 pinning ceremony at NETC's Dillon campus.

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