nervousness help

[dedicated05]

Hey guys...new member here. I have a question maybe some of u could offer some insight...I've worked in an ER for the past 2 yrs as a tech..blood drawing was my specialty...I could get blood out of a rock...I got so good to the point where, no matter how difficult the patient was, I knew id get it before even seeing them. Well then I started nursing school...hadn't worked in the er in over 2 months...I come back for the firs time to a different unit where they use the old standar vacutainer/large needle for phlebotomy. This is something I've never used, as I learned w butterfly needles (besides they represent an IV style more closely than does that other clumsy technique). Long story short, I shook as if I had parkinsons(to the. Pt where I couldn't even steady my hand)..looked as if id never done it before..and completely missed. It was very embarrassing and I feel almost depressed as that was one of my strengths. I guess I'm just looking for some encouraging words...u think it was the technique/needle that I was unaccustomed to + a combo of not doing it in a while? I sure hope that was it...anyone else experience anything similar?

[xxerinxx08]

I'm a phlebotomy tech and I start nursing school in August so I don't have any experience with the latter. Where I work, all we ever use are butterfly needles. We have the vaccutainers as well, but as you know the butterfly shows a flash which makes it easier. I hate vacutainers, because I simply sucked at them lol. It will get better as long as you practice. You felt the vein, right? If you did, then maybe you didn't go far enough? Also, you are right, the hand position is different between the two, so that could have been a factor as well. :) It'll get better.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Words of encouragement? You will miss. So get over it. You will not hit the mark every single time. Walking in and knowing you will make it sure helps but the reality is you wont hit the mark every single time. Take one of my favorite hobbies, shooting. You go in thinking every time you are going to blast your target, but things happen and you miss sometimes. Its all part of the game.