afraid of being stuck by a needle

[treeye]

I work as a nurse for almost three years and insert IVs all the time, but when it comes to myself being stuck for IV or blood draw, I'm a big baby. I got so nervous and sweaty, and sometimes I feel dizzy. So today I went in to have my blood tested and when I see a student trying to get my blood, I politely said" do you mind Kristen gets it for me?" (Kristen is a phlebotomist working there).

Now I feel bad that I refused to have blood drawn by the student. To be honest, I was a student at one time, if my patients refuse to let me practice on them, I will never become good at IVs.

What's your input on this? Are you afraid of being stuck like I do?

[Scroll89]

This thread cracks me up and has me shaking my head. I've never understood why people in medicine can't handle a tiny little needle. I know the phobias are real but I've never had an issue letting a student stick me. I've taught plenty of students Phlebotomy and often times they are better than the "pros" because they haven't picked up the bad habits we all have.

[Shinnichi, ADN, RN]

I just wanted (as a mere student) to add that I've had issues getting stuck ever since I was 16 and at the ER. 4 tries and they still had to get another person to stick me. I've been told I'm a hard stick. :

[missnurse89]

I have had patients who were told they were "hard sticks" and they turn out to be the easiest stick. It varies day to day. Sometimes you just have personnel who are having an off day or require more experience. Sometimes people are hard sticks and sometime they are not. Assess the situation and consider what you are being told, but don't pre-judge because that will ruin your confidence.

As for being the patient, if you sit there and think and think on it you are going to cause yourself anxiety and that can make you sick or pass out. Either way, the only thing you can do about it is practice coping so you can overcome the obstacle. Just get through it and do it and don't let your thoughts wonder about it. That's what makes it the worst.

[wondern, ASN]

Yeah, try to think of something peaceful like floating in a serene beautiful pool or lying on the beach or grass in the warm sun, or anything that helps you relax. Plus you know if you focus on the needle and get all scared your vessels are vasoconstricted making your veins more difficult to get in to. Just breathe slow in and out, ya know like when you have a baby. Now just think how tiny that teensy tiny needle is. It's nothing! Convince yourself of that by repeating it to yourself, "It's nothing. It's tiny."