I know that I have a lot of nurses as readers as well as a lot of wannabe nurses like myself. All of you had told me countless times that you enjoy and want more of my nursing school stories.
If you’d like to read my “first” Nursing School “story”, then look no further. Beware, it’s about pooping.
Yesterday I hit another milestone in my Nursing Career.
I did venipuncture. That’s just a fancy way of saying: I drew someone’s blood.
Here’s the deal about Nursing School. I really don’t feel like they teach much. It’s more of a “I show, you do” mentality. We learn the names of the equipment we are using, a few key points, and then we practice on these dummy arms and hands. When it’s time to do the real thing, we hope and pray that we don’t kill someone or shoot blood across the room.
I did neither.
Like most things in my life, I jumped in with both feet. No thoughts or fears—just do it.
That’s pure intensity right there. Sadly, it didn’t pay off. She had the worlds tiniest little veins and I got tired of digging around her skin to try to find it.
You can’t win them all.
Thankfully, my classmates trusted me enough and someone else stepped up to the plate.
I inserted the needle, directly into his vein and immediately I saw the blood flowing. I did it.
Nursing school is usually all smiles for me. However, learning how to stick people means that other people need to learn as well.
You’ve got to be the pin cushion sometimes.
Nobody bled out, passed out, or keeled over.
The day was a success.
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
The BEST satisfaction: finding that vein. Just wait til you start putting in catheters!!
Briana recently posted..Feature Friday Guest Post – HHSJ
We’ve done it in lab, but I haven’t actually inserted a catheter yet! I have taken one out though, and even that simple task was daunting and scary.
Woohoo!!! You found a vein!
Alicia recently posted..Library Loot
congrats! Sounds like a scary thing to do for a first-timer!
debbie recently posted..inked
Ha! Beth Hall!! I went to OU Nursing school a very long time ago. Love her.
Just found your blog through Crazy Running Legs. I can’t wait to read more! Boomer!
What a small world! I LOVE beth. she’s one of my favorites.
Haha, I love this post. After being attached to an IV for a month, having the IV site changed every 3 days, and getting my blood drawn 2-3 times a day, I now know far more about veins and drawing blood than I ever wished to!! I think there is a real art to it. Especially because I’ve got small veins that like to roll over a lot.
Kudos to you for being the pin cushion too. I never ever thought there would be a day where I would EVER get used to needles. But it happened! Between the IVs and blood tests, I also give two shots to myself in the stomach every day. I think it’s all about coming to know what to expect. Yeah, it hurts, but it’s a pain I’m familiar with now, so it’s okay. I would totally let you practice on me!
I like the nursing stories
Susan recently posted..Weekend Wisdom
Ohhhh I definitely would have keeled over! I don’t even think I could bring myself to watch someone else doing or getting an IV, hah. Congrats on a big first and thanks for sharing! Your nursing school stories are fascinating to a girl like me who can’t even look after her own cuts and scrapes…
Laura recently posted..Honorary Camp Leader
I should have taught you how to do that. You can come and practice sometime.
Woo hoo!!! Congrats! I’d probably freak out haha…I’m not a huge fan of needles. I’m kind of excited about starting school again bc this semester we’re finally getting into classes about interventions we will be doing with people in practice! I can’t wait to post about things I learn or do
Lindsay@ In Sweetness and In Health recently posted..5-4-3-2-1
wow your school actually lets you practice on each other?? That’s great! We had to do it on a fake rubber hand
but congrats!
Julia recently posted..a fun trip with some fun friends
Woo-hoo congrats!!
I have the world’s worst veins – I am so used to being black/blue after giving blood. A nursing student took my blood when I was pregnant and THOUGHT everything was going great until we noticed that I had a huge hematoma forming. Oops. Same thing happened to my hand when I went in to deliver. Both nurses felt so bad – but it’s not like you have THAT much control over my veins rolling. They are very deceiving!
Michelle @ Crazy*Running*Legs recently posted..Saturday Morning Inspiration
You are such a baller! Haha that right there is why I am not a nurse. I’m still a needle wimp
Morgan @ Endorphaholic recently posted..Desert Storm
What an accomplishment, congrats!!
being able to help people in the most important aspect of their lives: their health, is quite an amazing feeling
I think we do this in med school, too. Hopefully it wikl turn out just as well as yalls session.
I think being in the health professions is really such a privilege!
Huge accomplishment, seriously. LOVE how proud you look in those pics!!
Jess recently posted..Why not say “thank you”?
I really enjoy your honesty in your blog. I have RA which I treat with infusions so I get stuck a lot. I am told I have great veins so the nurses usually get it on the first try.
just thinking about blood makes me want to faint. You are a stronger woman than I, thank God there’s people like you on the earth to handle this stuff
Jessica @ Stylish Stealthy & Healthy recently posted..Why You Wish I Was Your Sister
Awesome job!!!
I love how “real” your blog is… I feel like I’ve known you forever even though I just started reading a few months ago.
Getting blood drawn doesn’t freak me out too much, it’s the rubebr they tie around my arm that hurts!! I hate that feeling!
You’re too stinkin’ adorable. lol I love your facial expressions.
Congrats on hitting a vein! That’s a big step. I know I’d be worried about it!
Melissa @ Live, Love, & Run recently posted..self image: it all started with a set of tiny pigtails.
I love your stories!! I feel like I get to check out little snippets of your life
Congrats on such a great accomplishment…and an important one! I celebrated with my nurse friends when they did it too!
Liz @ Something To Chew On recently posted..An Apology
You are such a star…I hate getting bloodwork. Always have. And I’m in the medical field myself! I’m seen “Dead bodies” and worked on them – all that jazz…but still, I don’t like anyone taking something OUT of me!
I would LOVE to have you as a nurse. i think you would be so calming and friendly and just relax people
Baking N Books recently posted..Weekend Movie Rentals?
I have no desire to be a nurse or nursing student but I still love your stories of being a nursing student!
Congrats on successfully drawing your classmate’s blood!
Amy @ Livin N Learning recently posted..Missing a Piece of the Puzzle?
You’re so brave! I don’t think I’d be able to stick someone… or let someone practice sticking me. I suppose that’s why you’re going to be the nurse and I’m not. Ha, ha. You go, Girl!
Nicole recently posted..Irene is coming… Irene is coming!
this is so exciting! congratulations!
that’s cool that you get to practice on your classmates. at my school, we practiced on fake arms and didn’t get to do it on real people until we got to the hospital. (which to me was more nerve wrecking lol)
the first IV i put in a patient i was so excited i almost cried.
wishing you luck on all your future sticks!!
Congratulations! I have great veins, I don’t move…but I sweat like mad when blood is involved!
Once a nurse said to me, “Oh, you’re a fainter!”. I informed her that I’ve never fainted. To which, she replied, “You’ve never fainted YET!”.
….so I guess I’m a fainter!
I remember your first story…FUNNY! Poop, I can handle. Blood, nuh-uh!
Ann recently posted..Food Buzz 24×24: Make Mine Sliders!
ahhh – congrats!! that’s a magical moment
wishing you easy sticks from here on out!!
ps: i’m late on this but great to meet you @ HLS!
sarah (the SHU box) recently posted..weekend update
A couple of years ago in dental school, we got to practice giving each other local anesthetic. That’s also a “pin cushion” experience!
Jo @ mostlyfitmom recently posted..A Girl’s Gotta Do What a Girl’s Gotta Do: Adventures in Stationary Biking
I’ve been a lurker for a while.. but thanks for sharing this- I too am planning on going to nursing school for a second bachelor’s so this is fun to hear all your nursing school musings!
Monica (My Middle Way Blog) recently posted..Food for thought
I am so glad you enjoy it! Have you applied for your program yet?
I love this post. Why? Because I LOVE start IV’s. I’ve probably down 2+ every time I work for the past 3 years but it is still one of my favorite things ever. I know, I”m weird. We actually never got taught how to do them in nursing school, I’m glad you are getting the chance!
Kait @ One Love Run recently posted..Nova Under Construction
I remember the first time I hit a vein. It was on my clinicals teacher! No one would step up, so I did it. Easy Peasy. haha
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