nightowl said:
Hi all. I'm actually a future M1 and am training to be a phlebotomist until then. I thought this forum would be the best place to ask about it. I'm having a lot of trouble feeling for veins with gloves on. I can locate it without gloves, but when I put them on and sterilize the area, I can't feel it most of the time. It's really frustrating, though I'm hoping it'll get better. Pulling the tip of my glove tight doesn't seem to help much. What really worries me is that I'll have the same problem with other procedures and even with surgery (I think I might be interested in a surgical specialty). Anyone else deal with this, and have tips? Am I just weird or what?! Thanks, y'all.
It's one of those things you develop through practice, practice, practice.
I started back in the dark ages when nurses didn't wear gloves to draw blood, start IVs, etc. (HIV? What's that?) I found that using a small glove really helped; kind of like a second skin.
First of all learn the anatomy; that will help. Try lightly tapping on the vein you want to use; you can also try just lightly stroking the vein with the tip of your fingernail (gloves on, of course). Try looking for a landmark where you felt the vein, like a freckle (sounds weird, but it works). I've also tried closing my eyes, too, and that also worked sometimes.
You're going to find that all of a sudden you will start "getting more sticks" than missing them, and pretty soon you'll be able to get a draw on the first stick. Just remember that everyone has days when they couldn't it the broad side of a barn.
Also remember that big, fat veins do not always= "easy stick." Sometimes those are the ones that roll away from you or are otherwise difficult to access. Conversely, sometimes the vein you're sure won't work will be a great stick.
Like I said, mostly it comes down to practice.
, etc...) 
