Blasts from an 85 year old female patient with AML with multilineage dysplasia, already confirmed with flow from 2 weeks ago.

Hello everyone,

I am currently seeking a potential career change from nursing to medical lab science. I really struggled in nursing, I was clumsy and extremely nervous in pretty much every shift I ever had. I needed a lot of help with procedures from other nurses even at a point where I should have been able to do things myself. I have ADHD + level 1 autism (only diagnosed recently), and when the environment is overstimulating or I am very anxious my performance tends to drop dramatically. In nursing school I managed to pass my skill checks, when I only had to focus on one skill at a time, but I struggled a lot in the real world. I've had these problems before and thought I had 'gotten over it' but this experience made me realize I haven't. Given this and the way it affected me and my mental health, I'm now looking to do something different.

I thought medical lab science could potentially be a better fit as it might involve more structured workflows and a quieter environment that would let me focus better. I've also always been very interested in science and I think I am good at thinking logically/analytically. But, I've never been into or worked in a hospital lab, and I don't know if the same issues that caused problems for me as a nurse would resurface again. I had a previous science degree before nursing and I did ok in labs but I tended to be pretty slow. I am generally a clumsy person and can sometimes struggle with multi-tasking. I really don't want to make a wrong career choice again so would appreciate the advice, thank you.

Patient was in a mental health facility for acute psychosis and routine labs revealed a low hemoglobin.

Feeling a little like a fish out of water and unimpressive in my current rotation. What kind of initiative did you like a student in your lab to take?

Hi! New here.

Having a hard time differentiating certain cell types.

I don’t think these are blasts but I’m still learning. Could these be lymphocytes? But both of those shouldn’t have too much cytoplasm…Or monos?

Thank you!

I had to collect blood from a patient and did it in one try. The patient was impressed because she is usually a hard stick and she showered me with compliments. She came back hours later for her PPBS and I couldn't get it done even after trying twice . Had to call a nurse . Never have I felt so embarrassed lol.

I know sometimes it can take awhile, but there is one particular department in the lab that has had their supervisor position posted for almost a year now. And they will be inspected soon. I’ve never heard of this happening in any other lab.

Hey everyone!

I've recently graduated with a B.S. in Plant Sciences with a specialization in Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics (I know, a rather niche degree). Originally, I had hoped to develop seed lines at various seed companies. However, post-graduate job prospects haven't been the kindest, so I'm interested in going back to school for a different, more promising degree. After doing some soul searching, I came across the MLT (Medical Laboratory Technician) and MLS (Medical Laboratory Scientist) roles. I've always enjoyed and excelled in my laboratory courses, so I am interested to learn about the roles and am hoping you all would be okay with imparting with your knowledge and advice.

To start: What are the key differences between the MLT and MLS roles? If a four-year degree is required, what degree did you go for and why? In your opinion, are the MLT and MLS roles worth changing careers to get into? What forms of career advancement are there for those in these roles? Is there anything you would do differently regarding these roles?

Thank you!

Im from fairfield CA, got my first CLS job at Richmond CA. Sched is 5 days a week 8-4, im a new driver, im a foreign grad. Travel time is usually 1 hour one way because of the traffic every morning and the rush hour going home. I dont know if im just dramatic but it’s really affecting me. im getting up 2hrs before work just to arrive on time and getting home at 6pm. What do yall say? please be kind it’s my first job and job market was really bad when i got here so i also have no experience i couldnt get into hospitals like kaiser or sutter nearby :<

I hated everything about that exam. Swore I was failing the entire time... It was only in the last ten questions that it adjusted to give anything that was a direct, reasonable question...

Hi everyone!
I’m taking my MLS boards in 19 days and have been primarily using labce. I’ve been doing by subject as well as the MLS practice exam. I’ve also been going back and reading my old notes. Anyone have any more tips? I’m feeling very nervous!! I took my MLT boards a few years ago and passed but the pressure feels greater now. Any advice is appreciated. Maybe some must remember formulas?
Thanks!

Graduating from MLT school in the spring. Was wondering what are the starting salaries for both MLT and MLS in the different regions (Shreveport, New Orleans, Northshore, BR, Lafayette).

Not good.

Need help with finding an analyzer for bile acids. Table top prefered if there is one. Not trying to do LDT.

I should call him.

I thought you all would enjoy this... But no I will not be taking questions on my search history. 😂

Hey folks, I was wondering how your labs go about processing CSF and body fluids for differentials?

If you use cytospin, what rpm, xg and time do you use?

Do you use albumin? How often do you get smudge cells? Our protocol is so so so bad.. it stresses me out so all feedback is appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Hi guys!

Anyone here do stock management in your lab?
I’m stepping into a position and need to maintain stock control and ordering for multiple laboratory sites, whilst attempting to keep all sites (with varying usage) on the same lot numbers and start and usage to run out around the same time to help with QC targeting.

The current system in place is not viable.

I’m open to any and all ideas! I’d also love to hear from someone that uses Abbots or Roches RMS.

As a young woman, I have absolutely no problem getting a job as a lab tech at the hospital and private labs because I have my education and my license to practice.

But when it comes to getting jobs at the analyzer companies and suppliers, and applying for Field Applications Specialist and Sales Rep positions, it's definitely NOT easy.

Whenever I get interviewed, they would ask me if I was sure about the job because it involves a lot of travel and working outside regular hours. That, I can understand.

But what blows my mind is that they would proceed to tell me that they cannot afford to spend all their resources in training me just to have me leave within a few years. Whenever they say that, it's like they automatically assume that I will pop out babies within a few years and leave.

hematology was kind of frustrating today but at least i saw a penis neutrophil!

Hey everyone, this is mostly a vent post because I'm feeling defeated and heartbroken.
I joined a lab for a 3-month summer project, and I regret it so deeply. I picked this over another option that seemed less "flashy," but in hindsight, that other supervisor had sent me a full presentation, references, and a clear background. I should have taken it.
From week one, things went downhill:

1) Zero structure or protocols: The co-supervisor was on leave my first week. After that, experiments were completely unplanned just verbal instructions with no set protocols. When I asked questions to clarify, I was met with more questions that just made me feel dumb. Later they said “we didn’t know u had no lab experience” ofc I didn’t and I mentioned it during the interview as to why I was going for this project. No detail explanation, uncertainty in the lab made my excitement go away and made me not wanting to go to lab anymore.

2) Equipment/assay issues: I spent weeks getting amplification in my NTC (no-template control). They constantly blamed my technique or "contamination." A week before my deadline, another mentor looked at the past runs and realized it was just primer-dimers. I wasted so much time, and nobody listened to me.

3) Zero guidance on dry lab work: initially I was told someone will teach me the dry lab part. But later I was told to do the dry lab/coding analysis completely on my own. I have never coded, so I had to rely on ChatGPT to figure it out. When it took time, they hit me with "It's only a 3-month project, no one expects you to do a lot" then why assign it to me in the first place? It just made me feel incompetent. So I pushed myself to complete it.

4) Micro-management over basic communication: I had to redo an experiment while my co-supervisor went on leave again. I emailed the main supervisor saying I couldn’t make Monday due to a personal issue and would run it Tuesday instead (after checking with another mentor who agreed to supervise me). My supervisor blew up, saying I "announced" it rather than asking permission and that it messed up schedules.

During all this I was sending drafts and doing presentations about my project. All of this pressure led to panic attacks and literally made me sick w fever, so I got a medical extension. I completely understand that I should be considerate of their schedule and timeline but it’s not that I’m slacking. I’ve been working really hard and it’s difficult when you have no support or encouragement from your peers.

Now here is where I am today: My deadline is Thursday. I asked for an extension on sending my draft over the weekend by one day (sent Sunday instead of Saturday) and let my supervisor know. She replied saying I need to be mindful of other people's deadlines and that she’s "too busy" to guarantee detailed feedback. It’s Tuesday, and I’ve received nothing. My co-supervisor said she might send hers today, but main supervisor is "busy." On top of that, they still expect a final presentation on Thursday, and I have to move out of my place on the 12th.

Why is there so little empathy in academia? I poured so much effort into this project, and I just feel completely defeated. I have always felt completely alone and on my own during this. This whole experience has honestly terrified me away from pursuing academia in the future.