Can't stick hand veins?!

[SmallTownUSA]

I have about a year med/surg experience and now I've been working in infusion for about 3 months. I usually have no problem sticking AC veins but can't seem to get successful hand and wrist vein sticks without a few tries. Just looking for any tips or advice specific to the hand and/or wrist sticks. I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong or differently that's making me unable to get these on a regular basis and I feel terrible sticking my patients repeatedly.

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

Hand and wrist veins are tricky. They're typically more superficial and less of a straight shot, so in addition to squirreling all over the place, they can also move while you're trying to insert the catheter! That's usually my downfall.

Have your patient position their hand so that the vein is as straight as possible and anchor the surrounding skin. I'll put on the tourniquet more toward the mid-forearm versus the upper arm to make the veins pop out a bit more. I also hate wrist/hand veins, but I've gotten good at hitting them with time and practice!

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

Are you anchoring well? Going in shallow?

[Asystole RN]

Go slow, go shallow, and secure the tissue and the vein. Target areas of confluence because they will tend to be better anchored.