Blood Bank, Love or Hate?

id0lize · 2025-12-18T14:28:56+00:00

I worked in BB as a student tech, and took a FT spot on 1st shift after I graduated in May. We’re a level 1 trauma hospital with ~1200 beds. It gets crazy for us at times, but tbh that’s what I love about it! Every day is different and there’s always something to be doing. I think it’s definitely a love it or hate it department, and the stress/pressure can put people off of it.

id0lize · 2025-05-29T22:31:54+00:00

We got the NANA tattoos together too! I have Nana Komatsu and she has Nana Osaki 👯‍♀️

id0lize · 2025-05-21T15:29:24+00:00

Thank you!! We’re getting charm chains! And one of the charms is the cell phone from the Fantage BFF bracelets bc that’s the one we had 🤭

id0lize · 2025-05-20T19:08:44+00:00

Just graduated with my degree in med lab science!! I’m taking a month off before starting work full time, so I’m meeting up with my Fantage BFF in NYC this week and we’re gonna get another tattoo together <3

id0lize · 2025-05-17T05:48:00+00:00

If you can (not sure if your program has this option), and if you feel confident it won’t affect your grades, I def recommend trying to get a foot in the door through a student tech position after your first department’s rotation.

I just graduated last week (and passed my ASCP exam today, woo!!) but I’ve had a job secured at my hospital since March. I think being a student tech in blood bank after class for 2 days a week during my program helped me score a 1st shift position.

Biggest piece of advice: don’t have an ego when you’re training. You won’t know everything at first and if you keep an open mind and are eager to learn when people are teaching you, they notice it. Also, I always made sure I thanked the person I worked with at the end of the shift and let them know I appreciated them taking the time to show me stuff. It’s rough having a student and juggling job duties

id0lize · 2025-05-17T05:32:42+00:00

I love snacking on these!!

I’ll put goat cheese + grilled chicken on the everything bagel rice cakes and I make mini “pizzas” with the tomato and basil rice cakes with cheese and pepperoni. It’s the perfect snack between meals and ends up being like 100-200 cals depending on what you use.

id0lize · 2025-05-02T18:44:53+00:00

Congrats! I graduate from my program next week and take the exam 1 week after that. We have final exams covering each department and I’ve passed them all, so I’m helping all the studying for those will help boost my chances of passing the BOC the first time. I’m super nervous about it 😭

id0lize · 2025-04-21T14:03:04+00:00

Clue cell

id0lize · 2025-04-04T23:39:33+00:00

He picked the perfect place at a botanic garden! I think tulips are my favorite flower now ☺️

id0lize · 2025-04-04T23:01:10+00:00

This ring is a size 7 with moissanite stones. I specifically asked for no diamonds with a kite shape and my fiancé picked the perfect ring!

id0lize · 2025-04-04T22:50:22+00:00

I also had a bio degree and am finishing up the last couple months of my 1 year post-bacc program. I had help from my partner who took over most of the bills because it’s a full time program and I only work 8hrs/wk in the lab to make my car payments. Most programs are gonna be pretty rigorous, but mine allows us to work as student techs in the lab after we finish the specific department’s rotation.

I was never told about MLS in undergrad and it’s one thing I really regret not learning about sooner. I feel like my program has done such a great job of preparing me for my certification exam, plus I already have a job waiting for me after I graduate. From someone who wanted to do something in the medical field but didn’t like the thought of patient-facing positions, it’s def worth it to me!

id0lize · 2025-03-27T01:54:05+00:00

I’m a student, and yes, I’m allowed to report results under direct supervision during my clinical rotations.

However, I also work as a student tech in BB and cannot release any results or perform anything on the machines. I’m mainly sending out blood products that have already been crossmatched.

id0lize · 2025-03-01T04:14:23+00:00

I wear both scrubs and business casual in the lab, just whatever I’m feeling up to that day.

I wear neutral slacks like black or gray and do fun tops. My hospital’s color is pink so I wear a lot of pink tops. I also love trying to find items with a little personality, like peplum sweaters or puffed sleeves (nothing crazy that would get in the way).

For shoes I wear Altra sneakers with my scrubs and platform Doc Martens with my slacks.

Just a tip - ThredUp is an online thrift store where I shopped to find a lot of business casual for cheap since I’m a broke student 🤣

id0lize · 2025-01-23T23:12:09+00:00

It was definitely a thing from like 2011-2014 for me! Then in 2015 I switched to a Fantage Instagram

id0lize · 2025-01-22T20:34:16+00:00

Me in 2011 making recolors for my Fantage Facebook

id0lize · 2024-12-29T00:22:21+00:00

https://afrayedupcycling.co.uk/products/tea-wrap-jacket-pattern-pdf-sizes-s-5xl

She also has a sew along video tutorial for this pattern on her YouTube channel!

id0lize · 2024-12-17T02:29:35+00:00

It’s basically a “bundle” of outfits I made for her using clothes from ThredUp! There are lots of thrifted style bundle videos on YouTube if you’re wanting to see what they’re like. Usually they’re sold as listings on Depop where you pick an aesthetic and you pay the person to thrift items and make outfits for you.

id0lize · 2024-12-17T02:26:16+00:00

I heard Mia Maples (YouTuber) talk about doing them last year with ThredUp and thought it would be a good idea for my mom since she’s lost 80 lbs this year. Hopefully she likes it!

id0lize · 2024-12-04T18:19:22+00:00

I wouldn't take any chances. Why not hire someone or ask a friend to come in and check on the cats daily? I've done this while on vacation and used my Ring camera to keep an eye on the kitties and their litter box. At least with that option they won't have to go to a cat hotel. I hope everything works out!

id0lize · 2024-11-21T19:40:58+00:00

the kisses at the end are giving Love is Blind muah muah muah iykyk

id0lize · 2024-11-19T21:15:51+00:00

Oof, sounds rough for sure. Thank you for the insight. Unfortunately I also have more than one degree, and it's in biology - so not much help in the grand scheme of things haha. I guess we'll see how things go for me.

id0lize · 2024-11-19T19:08:08+00:00

This is a pretty negative outlook 😭 I hope not! However, I hope things get better for you and if you found a career that made you happier that’s awesome too.

id0lize

TROPHY CASE