nursing student hopeful but.... nervous about a few things

[kelly5416]

I'm hoping to start nursing school this spring. I'm just finishing up a few prereqs for now. However, I am sooo nervous about drawing blood. I don't know why. I'm not worried about catheters, IV's etc. Is this normal for a nursing student? I feel like this is so ridiculous! I even woke up the other night dreaming about it. I haven't even started yet!!!

Please help!

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

We weren't allowed to draw blood or insert IVs in my nursing program. Had to do with the state nursing law. Even as an RN, phlebotomists drew the blood, not the nurses unless it was from a central line and we had a specific doctor's order to do it and had been given specific training in how to do it properly.

[Esther2007]

I have completed almost 4 semesters of nursing, and yet do blood drawing. We are not allowed to insert IVs or draw blood. I think most of the nurses I met, really dont do it. Most of the patients who come from the ER or ICU already have IVs when they come to the floor. If I were you, I would not worry too much about that.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

We weren't allowed to draw blood or insert IVs in my nursing program. Had to do with the state nursing law. Even as an RN, phlebotomists drew the blood, not the nurses unless it was from a central line and we had a specific doctor's order to do it and had been given specific training in how to do it properly.

Daytonite, just wanted to add if the OP works in a rural hospital or a more specialized hospital (ie PEDS) there may not be phlebotomists. When I worked at a PEDS facility (major hospital BTW), the nurses and techs had to do all of their own blood draws because there was no phlebotomy team.

[choclablover]

I don't think this is a silly thing to be nervous about. I have been a medical assistant for quite a long time so I have drawn blood. My nursing school has a check off on blood draws but it is not something we will do during clinicals. My suggestion if it is a required check off for you is to practice on fellow classmates. That is what we all did until we all had it down without question. After the first stick, it is not that big a deal. The first stick was very nerve racking for me - after I completed it the entire process got a lot easier. Good Luck!

[RheatherN, ASN, RN, EMT-P]

dont be nervous. i know that sounds cliche, but its just another skill that will come with time and practice. as for the time and practice- it may take a while depending on where you are. if the RN's do not rountinely draw blood, ask if you can go to lab for a day or a shift during clinicals and just do it. if you are worried about it- you need to take it head on!

gl! you will do just fine! i swear!-

-H-