HELP! - Phlebotomy tips needed!!

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

I recently started working in healthcare as an MA and have not had the best luck with phlebotomy. I know 50% of my missed sticks are due to the stress and nerves that I build up over drawing blood but I'm curious as to whether people believe that being a good phlebotomist is like being able to draw, sing or even juggle!

I know the technique and the procedure of venipuncture I was just hoping for some tips to perfect my skills besides practice, practice. Honestly right now the only veins I feel confident with are the ones that are completely visible or the ones just below the skin that you can't see but that aren't too deep.

Any tips for catching those deep veins on heavier patients or even thin patients sometimes have really deep veins?

I'm hoping I'll improve with more practice I just wanted to see if anyone had any tips or advice

Thanks!!!

I am also trying to become a better phlebotomist. I am currently an RN but I have a lot of hard sticks and must get blood with no opportunities for backups. Sometimes I think that I can feel a vein deep in the a/c area but I haven't gotten the technique of hitting the vein with the needle. Perhaps I have the geometry wrong. Any pointers?

Thx!

Nurse Wren

Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

New nurses come to me for help and I arrange for them to spend time in Same Day Surgery or other areas where 1) lots of IV's are started and 2) most patients are generally healthy 3) I know the nurses there are great instructors. Maybe your facility has an educator to assist??? You have to practice.

Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, PCU.

I'm always glad to get patients with healthy veins, but elated when I can still stick the hard ones. One pretty specific tip I've found, for phlebotomy only, is in obese female patients. Around the AC and just slightly above are usually a couple of good veins that pop up.

Thank you for your helpful comments! Perhaps the most important thing is not to let yourself get too psyched by it all...

I am a 2nd career nurse. Graduated in May 2012. A lot to learn!!

I am in a phlebotomy class now. I have finals the week after Thanksgiving. My book knowledge is better than my drawing skills. I too have a hard time "feeling" the vein. My confidence isn't that great because of my lack of skill. I hope the pen trick is acceptable where I have to do my clinicals!

Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

Phlebotomy doesn't make me the least bit nervous, however I can't hit a garden hose with a knitting needle.

I have tried time and again to 'feel' for a vein, but have no concept or ability to visualize this and miss, puncture through and blow a vein every time. I'd make a lousy phlebotomist and have great admiration for those who are adept. My rule is, get someone else....or several someone else's if need be,, as there is no sense on inflicting me on any patient or volunteer practice subject.

You do my blood draws and IVs and I will do all of your trachs, colostomies, and catheters. Yay, teamwork!

Specializes in Surgical, quality,management.

Don't hàve a full bladder! One of the staff caught me today and asked me to help her with bloods on a pt and IV on another as she needed to do an hour long dressing. My response was hang on I need to run to the loo. Then I got both first attempt. Not a chance with a full bladder!

I just did my first stick in Phlebotomy class HELP!!! I tried 3 times and hurting all including teacher!! I am moving my needle when I put the tube on and also taking it off . The teacher shows me but not getting it:( I am shaking so bad and I think the other students wont want me to draw them because I"m the last person in class tonight that didn't get signed off. How can I do this so UPSET Please help!! I need this one and 6 more

Kelsey, that's quite interesting to know how phlebotomy training really has helped you in your study. Hey, my daughter herself also taught about finding veins on anybody just like you did to your friends. It was quite fascinating to know how sometimes my veins appear quicker than that of my other daughter.

Don't let the patient know you're nervous! Watch other nurses, medical assistants or techs to check out their techniques. Sometimes the best veins are the ones you can't see, but can feel- they bounce. Put the tourniquet 3-4 inches above where your going, not directly above it. Sometimes for older patients with fragile viens, try NOT using the tourniquet. Or having the patient hang their arm to the side for a couple minutes or warm it with dry, warm blanket. Makes sure to pull the skin taunt below where you are going to help stabilize and it helps prevent it from being painful.

I just got a job as a pct in the ED and have been learning phlebotomy for the past few weeks! The best advice I can give is to not get discouraged if you can't find the vein right away. If you saw/felt the vein there before you stuck the patient, it's there! Try slightly pulling the needle farther out or pushing it farther in and sometimes you have to change the angle a little bit!

Try not to fish for viens! It's not exactly comfortable for the patient, it will probably bruise and you may not even hit the vein! I'd only do it after some experience and only very little. After you reposition once, and don't hit it just start over or ask for help. There is no shame in that, your patient will definitely appreciate it more too.

+ Add a Comment