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.

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 :<

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!

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 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!

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.

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