New nursing student

Ortho_RN · May 26, 2003

Good Luck.. And congrats on being accepted into the program... :)

Love-A-Nurse · May 26, 2003

courtney, welcome!

congratulations and all the best to you.

allthingsbright · May 26, 2003

Hi Courtney! I hope to be starting this fall and graduate in the spring of 05! Welcome to you-may things go smoothly in your phleb clas and have a great summer!

flenoy · May 27, 2003

Hi, everyone. I am a junior in a BSN program and I'm really excited about my first clinical rotation in Med-Surg this fall. I am taking Pharm II, Nursing Research, and Logic for the summer session. I was going to get a part-time job working in a local hospital, but I was advised my several of my 6th semester friends and a few instructors that it wasn't a very good idea. Has anyone taken Med-Surg yet? I have heard plenty of horror stories about the class so I'm very anxious for it to start! I got straight A's for the spring semester so I'm pretty happy.:roll

Jen2 · May 29, 2003

Hello Courtney

I also start an ADN program sept, 2. I also have been working in a Hospital as a phlebotomist for 2 years. After you do your phleb course, maybe you can try to get on as an occaisional employee at a hospital. My phlebotomy training has helped me so much. In our hospital the phlebs go to all the codes, and I've already seen and experienced so much from this, even saw a chest cracked open in the ER. I hope that all this experience will really help me going into the program. I also worked in a physicians office for 4 years as a Medical Assistant. Just remember, Phlebotomy has a definite knack to it and everyone has their own technique. The most important thing is that you develope the technique that works for you. It's all about confidence. Sounds like we're in the same boat in alot of ways so good luck to you and let us know how it goes.

kimmicoobug · May 29, 2003

Welcome! and good luck with starting your program. I think doing the phlebotomy class is a good idea. If ever you need to vent once you start your classes...you know where to come!

happystudent, RN · May 29, 2003

HEy girl!

welcome to the bb. Good luck in the program! Im headed into nursing three this fall Aug 27. After that one more semester and HEre I come Boards!! whoo hhoooo

Good Luck!

Happy:D

txreyna · May 29, 2003

Hey Everyone!

Thanks for all the great posts.

I just heard today that during the first two weeks of phlebotomy class all the students have to practice on each other... should I be nervous about this?!?

Wish me luck, and let me know what kind of experience you guys have had with this.

--Courtney

Jen2 · May 29, 2003

Courtney

Don't be nervous. Just remember the person who is sticking you, will also be stuck by you. Remind them of this before they stick you. At first, when sticking someone if the blood does not go into the tube, the needle should by taken out (and this should be no more than a little pinch), however never let someone who is just starting to try and reposition the needle once it is in your arm. You should never try to reposition the needle until you now what you are doing this is where the pain comes from nerve damage, bruising etc.... If no blood appears in the tube kindly just say remove. When students come to the hospital that I work in to do their externship, I always let them go ahead and stick me first, before they try a patient, this gets their first stick on a stranger out of the way and I have great veins that cannot be missed so it's also a big confidence booster. You will do fine. Where I live the phleb courses require an externship with 100 sticks for graduating. If this is the same in your area remember that most out-patients in a clinical setting will have more than one tube of blood to be drawn some may have up to 18 tubes, especially for transplant and live work-ups it is important that while you are in training that you practice switching tubes. Make sure that you understand the anatomy of the arm and relax. The stick will hurt more if you are tense. Just remember don't let someone dig in your arm Let me know if you have anymore questions, I would be glad to help.

Jen2 · May 29, 2003

Sorry that's liver work-ups and not live work-ups. If their having their blood drawn I would hope that they are alive. Hee Hee. Good luck

nursebucky · May 29, 2003

Hey Jen, I am a Phlebo also. What about the patient who tells you that they have rolling veins and no one can ever get them...and then you see they have big fat healthy veins, and you get it on the first try....?!?!?!?!?! ahahahahahah

Welcome.....I start nursing in the Fall. 33 yrs old, no kids except a husband.

Bucky, SN