Plasma Centers

Do you mean plasma centres as in for donating blood? I worked for the Australian Red Cross Blood Service collecting blood and it was the best job in the world! I really loved the team, the donors were all really nice people and the job was challenging but really satisfying. You knew you were literally saving lives by collecting blood/plasma. It was awesome :)

I recently started working at a plasma center and so far so good. As a RN you are required to do the physicals of the new donors and annual physicals on repeat donors. Physicals are basic vitals, and medical history that would exclude them from donating. If a repeat donor comes in to donate for that day and the screen receives an abnormal vital sign as the nurse you will reassess and if appropriate pass that person through or send them home for the day. Part of the job has to do a lot with education on high risk behaviors that would prevent them from donating, if there hematocrit or serum protein is low how to correct their diet and also referrals to neighborhood clinics for high blood pressure and other ailments. I have had both slow days and days that required a lot more time and input but overall it is a good learning environment.

anyone know what gauge the needle is for plasma donation?

I recently started working at a plasma center and so far so good. As a RN you are required to do the physicals of the new donors and annual physicals on repeat donors. Physicals are basic vitals, and medical history that would exclude them from donating. If a repeat donor comes in to donate for that day and the screen receives an abnormal vital sign as the nurse you will reassess and if appropriate pass that person through or send them home for the day. Part of the job has to do a lot with education on high risk behaviors that would prevent them from donating, if there hematocrit or serum protein is low how to correct their diet and also referrals to neighborhood clinics for high blood pressure and other ailments. I have had both slow days and days that required a lot more time and input but overall it is a good learning environment.

Thanks for replying...I am a RN that has recently started as a "phys sub". So far I love it but I was just curious about other nurses experiences in this type of setting.

Yes its 16

When I worked in blood banking we used 16g.

16g! "OUCH", says the wimpy male who has only donated blood once (about 20 years ago). When I saw that steel needle:uhoh3:, I was less than amused. I still sat through the stab/donation process for 1 unit of blood, but have since been too much of a (self-admitted) WIMP to do it again.

Hehe, the needle is big (like the size of a McDonalds straw) but sharp, so it usually isnt a bad stick. :)

As with many things in medicine (Foley, NG tube, IV)....better to give than to receive!