Phlebotomy scare- is this normal?

[Geo16]

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Just started a Phlebotomy class, it was exciting and fun, but there was a bit of downside.
I was scared to puncture or get skin punctured by other students. Is this normal or am I just too weak?
Although I did carry out the skin puncture, and able to do more afterwards, but damn, I was very nervous that I was going to mess up the procedure.

Other people were able to carryout venipunctures/skin punctures without feeling scared.
Also, there was a guy who started on the same day with me and he was like a tough brick- very brave. So compared to him, I felt that it wasn't because of my lack of experience.

Should I go for CNA? OR, perhaps, even a bigger picture.. medicine might not be for me?
(Before signing up and paying for the Phlebotomy class, I did watch videos and was prepared for what I was getting into. But it's kind of like going to the theme park- you know what you are getting into, but still scared to try the roller-coasters.)

 

[Saifa]

I would not be overly concerned. Phlebotomy is weird. I've spent many hours shadowing surgeries and assessing severe wounds in clinical education, the only time I ever nearly hit the deck was having the nerve to see my own blood drawn for the first time. Consensus is it's something you get used to.

 

[Geo16]

I would not be overly concerned. Phlebotomy is weird. I've spent many hours shadowing surgeries and assessing severe wounds in clinical education, the only time I ever nearly hit the deck was having the nerve to see my own blood drawn for the first time. Consensus is it's something you get used to.

Perhaps next class wouldn't be so bad. It's something I have to fight through. I mean, I wasn't even feeling anything when I got my blood drawn out when I had to take STI test for volunteering. But when it came to the class, it was very scary for some reason.

 

[CharlieBillings]

Just started a Phlebotomy class, it was exciting and fun, but there was a bit of downside.
I was scared to puncture or get skin punctured by other students. Is this normal or am I just too weak?
Although I did carry out the skin puncture, and able to do more afterwards, but damn, I was very nervous that I was going to mess up the procedure.

Other people were able to carryout venipunctures/skin punctures without feeling scared.
Also, there was a guy who started on the same day with me and he was like a tough brick- very brave. So compared to him, I felt that it wasn't because of my lack of experience.

Should I go for CNA? OR, perhaps, even a bigger picture.. medicine might not be for me?
(Before signing up and paying for the Phlebotomy class, I did watch videos and was prepared for what I was getting into. But it's kind of like going to the theme park- you know what you are getting into, but still scared to try the roller-coasters.)

Sometimes it helps me to think 10 years into the future. You're trained in everything you could want. Do you ever worry about some mistake you made a decade ago?

Middle school was fully of anxiety for me, but looking back I could have had complete confidence if I wanted to.

 

[Geo16]

Sometimes it helps me to think 10 years into the future. You're trained in everything you could want. Do you ever worry about some mistake you made a decade ago?

Middle school was fully of anxiety for me, but looking back I could have had complete confidence if I wanted to.

It brings me back. But I don't think about the mistake from 10 years ago. And.. I could've done better if I was confident.
I know what you are talking about! Thank you very much 🙂

 

[aharr157]

Anxiety in the first couple of days or weeks in phlebotomy is pretty normal! I thought I wasn't nervous but when I went for my first stick I completely pulled the needle right back out after going in and my poor classmate bled all over their arm, but after a couple of more tries it became less scary! There's something a little strange about puncturing the skin of another the first time but trust me, once you've done it 50 times, the scare factor/thrill wears off! Hang in there!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[Knicks17]

I was a bit uncomfortable at first as well, I'm not the biggest fan of needles. But after a while it will become second nature but its gonna take a good amount of practice! Relax a little you got this

 

[Geo16]

Thank you all @Saifa @CharlieBillings @aharr157 @Knicks17 very much!
I think I am much relaxed and ready to move on. Reading your comments gave me a huge confidence boost!! Thank you!

 

[Save a life]

Yeah, wouldn't worry about it. Those who were less scared probably had more exposure or we're just acting less scared.

 

[godocgo]

I agree with everyone. Things like drawing blood gets easier with time, you feel more comfortable and relaxed. This in turn calms your nerves and just makes it a better experience. ( it's like driving a car where at first it is unfamiliar and then you get quite comfortable...) Good Luck!