New Job Blues

[TECHTORNHOPEFULLY]

Began a new job today. Everyone is so nice and helpful and make me feel really at ease, but I have been working in this same field for five years, but when I got to this place you would think I have never worked in medical before. I know it was my first day, but my first blood draw you would think there was an earthquake I was shaking so much! And I am one of the best sticks at my last hospital. My nerves got the best of me and I am a peds person now I am working with adults, who by the way, COMPLAIN ABOUT EVERYTHING. Only this vein works, ouch that hurts, i only have one vien, the last person could never get it! AHHHHH! Why are IV's and straight sticks so different. It's almost like IV's are easier. Hope tomorrow is better.

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

I like working with kids, too. Adults have So. Much. Baggage. I find straight sticks to be a piece of cake compared to starting a PIV, though I am good at that, too. Any time you switch jobs, it's natural to have some level of anxiety. Cut yourself some slack.

With straight sticks, what really helps me a ton (and this may seem so elementary, so please don't feel insulted) is to use a piece of tape to tape down the butterfly needle while drawing the sample, so I can focus on handling the blood tubes instead of holding the catheter so it doesn't pop out. The only time this doesn't work too well is if your placement is positional and you have to lift up a little on the needle to get it to flow, but that doesn't happen most of the time. Again, if that's too basic, sorry.

I'm starting a new job, too, and even though it's not nearly as stressful as the ED environment, I find myself nervous a lot of the time, so I can relate.