Blood!

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Specializes in nursing home care.

:chair: I admit, I am crap at taking bloods! I have managed quite a few but they have all been easy, you know big juicy veins! I think my problem is that when there is no really obvious vein I do not like to go in blind, as I am scared of hurting people! This comes from me being squirmish about getting blood taken as my veins are crap! My best guinnea pig so to speak was a resident who used to be a nurse who after I failed to get blood the first time, kept sticking her arm out and saying 'try again or you won't learn'. Pity all residents are not that brave! Any hints!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiothoracics, VADs.

If you worried about hurting people, you'd never do anything. You have to do it to learn it. It's a manual skill like any other. You can try tips to improve the veins, but you need to be able to visualize the anatomy. Learn where the veins are, and how to feel them, and you should be able to do it blindfolded. It's also a confidence thing - get a few in a row, and you feel invincible next time...keep trying!

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Specializes in OB, ortho/neuro, home care, office.

I can pretty much start an IV or draw blood blindfolded. Once you know the veins feel, you wouldn't mistaken it for anything else (almost). But I truly can do a stick blindfolded lol. I really miss doing IVs :scrying:

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