Guess I am a vampire at heart!

katwoman7755 · Jul 16, 2005

hmmm...not drawing blood. I swear for some reason I never really feel that comfortable with it...and never really feel like I get any better at it....and I do it all the time.

ftr_bb_catchr · Jul 17, 2005

Yeah the thought of a blood draw makes me nervous, and I'm not even there yet! But I say good for you, you vampire!!! I bet your darn good at it too!

abmsam · Jul 17, 2005

I'm a phlebotomist working my way through nursing school. I stick about 40 people per day, and it is challenging. I agree that when you get a tough stick, you feel a great sense of accomplishment. Phlebotomy is an art, in some ways. Some people just can't seem to get it, but then there are those of us who thrive on the challenge!

Cheers!

EMTtoRN · Jul 17, 2005

I am currently in my EMT-I class and the main component is starting IVs. I have been doing rotations in the local ED and it is challenging!! I feel HORRIBLE when I miss however SO thrilled when I have a succesful stick!

I have heard that IVs are just a touch more challenging because you actually have to stick and advance the catheter. Alot more steps involved and once the needle orcath is in you have to pretty much work with one hand. I still get nervous each time but I am sure it will get better. I dont know how much easier it will be in the back of a rolling ambulance!!

kelnich · Jul 18, 2005

Hi,

I work as a nurse extern in the ER, umm.. well now I am an RN IP but I have been working there for almost a year in the ER. I enjoyed starting IV's. It is definitely tougher to start an IV. I almost never have a problem hitting a vein, the problem usually comes in when I have to advance the catheter. Most of the time it is a one time stick and I'm in but with tough sticks sometimes I hit a vein or the vein blows. Luckily, unlike other students that I go to school with I have had a lot of experiencing starting IV's the ER is definitely a great place to get that experience. Now I am no longer nervous when I go in to start an IV and I understand that sometimes you may have to stick someone more than once.

Most patients are understanding, and those that are hard sticks usually warn you before you even start and they expect to be stuck more than once. It feels really great when you get that sucker in though.

RNin2007 · Jul 18, 2005

I have been injection and venipuncture certified for over three years now. I work at a family practice as a CMA, but I went back to school last year. This summer I returned to work and got to do blood draw again (last time was christmas break and before that was summer of last year) I realized how much of a blood drawing junky I am! I love drawing blood! :chuckle
Last summer I worked for an office that traveled in a motor home to all the indigent areas like the cook house for the homeless. At first I was nervous drawing blood on these people because like 95% of them are IV drug users so I as sure that their veins were shot! (No pun intended...) But I didn't miss a single vein. I get thrills from getting a hard draw, like I defeated a challenge. I can not wait to learn I.V.s!
What gets you excited in the medical field?

Ohhhhhhhh! I can't WAIT to learn to draw blood!!! That is probably one of the things I am looking forward to the most...heh, guess that makes me a vampire too? Glad I am not the only one who thinks this way about drawing blood. Seriously though. Can. not. wait.

=)

~J