help i cant draw blood

TTUNurseBSN · Jun 9, 2006

HI..I was a phleb for 3 years! Honestly, nothing beats learning phlebotomy by getting a job as one, however, I have faith in you...it's pretty easy really, just takes time and practice. I have a few pointers for you though. The key is technique. Also feel feel feel, your eyes will trick you sometimes but your finger tips will tell you how deep, narrow or wide and if there is a vein there even if you can't see it. :trout:

When first learning...always take your time. Don't get in a rush, just tell the patient you are just making sure to get the best site...I promise they shouldn't get to mad! First steal some supplies from the hospital so you can practice on someone easy at home...take a few butterfly's (my fav) and some vacutaners and tubes.

For Handling a Vaccutaner take a writing Pen...(this part is pretent to show you how to hold) Place the pen vertical with your index finger and your thumb in the middle of the pen. Your other 3 fingers out. Place those 3 other fingers down on a hard surface (this is your support and balance), so now your index and thumb are holding the pen horizontal. You might want to bend those 3 other fingers to where only the knuckle up are actually pressing down. (How does that feel now!) :lol2: You have alot of control now, Plus support to move the needle and (dig! lol) if you have to! Try practicing on an easy person with a big AC vein and switch a couple of tubes out. IMPORTANT INFO HERE! ALWAYS KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE NEEDLE!! Once your eye moves from that needle...you have the possibility of moving it inside the person and loosing access to the vein. Place all your supplies near by such as tubes and cotton ball so that you can use your peripheral vison to get those without taking your eye of the needle. :idea:

Now...Butterfly's...you hold the butterfly pretty much the same way..I like to keep the wings out and hold one wing with my index and thumb with my 3 fingers as support again. For small veins, especially in the hand...Always attach a syring to the butterfly so that you can control the pressure. If the vein is small and weak...use a smaller syringe like a 3ml if not much blood is needed so that you won't blow the vein b/c less pressure is applied. Try going for veins you can see first before you progress and unless you feel that bouncy feeling without seeing it.

If you stick and no blood, (always insert needle at a medium speed), gently pull back the needle without taking the needle completely out, re-assess, because you probably didn't go deep enough or you were to shallow or the vein is on either side of the needle..sometimes a strong vien and be pushed to the side by the needle..(rolling veins). Learning to stick at first is very stressful!! I know!! But this skill requires a calm & patient attitude and confidence when first learning...never give up after a bad stick...you will only get better and never let a patient see your lack of confidence..act like your a pro and your gonna get it and you probably will. Just concentrate, find the vien, have all your supplies ready and in hand, use the hand technique, keep your eye on the needle and stick...and BamB! Blood! It's funny cause you never get rid of the "JACKPOT" feeling everytime you get blood, no matter how many times you've ever stuck! haha :lol2:

One more pointer, when at bedside....raise the bed up to your comfort level, no need in bending down there. Also..it sometimes helps to place a pillow under the patients arm, sometimes a heating pad needs to be applied before sticking to raise the veins if they are cold and constricted, and make sure your feet aren't side by side...get a good steady balance, feet at least a foot or two apart. If one arm doesn't work..try the other. Remember you can stick ANYWHERE on the arms...unless otherwise specified..just try to get the AC first if you can!:balloons:

Being a nurse now, I always still have the pleasure of drawing blood, I hated it when I did like 30 sticks a day...but now...I don't mind at all!! I hope you learn to enjoy drawing blood, b/c once you get good at it...it's a piece of cake and nothing to worry about! I HOPE THIS HELPS!!! PRACTICE PRACTICE...give it some time..and I promise...this is easy!! Took me about 3 months to get to where I hardly missed. But hey..it does happen ever now and again! Plus, the better a blood sticker you are, the better IV person you are! You can email at [email protected] if I can be of further help!! GOOD LUCK and HAVE FUN!! Don't forget to steal some supplies at the hospital so you can practice! haha

Cerisa ( sorry long email)

Jo Dirt · Jun 10, 2006

redell don't feel bad, I'm in the same boat. Just this past week a fellow HH nurse had to drive out of his way to get a lab for me. He said he didn't mind (but I know he was telling a story).

I have spent most of my years in a low skill nursing home where I never had to do anything but pass pills and give a shot now and then. At the agency I was frustrated to the point I even tried to quit but the DON said don't worry she will get me in a class if we need to.

So...I guess I will try it a little while longer. But it is the worst feeling in the world to be sent to do something you do not feel competent to do. I am looking to take a phlebotomy class ASAP. It's unreasonable but when people see RN behind your name they expect perfection.