I Took Some Bloods Today And

[phleb]

after i had done this, patient tells me he has radiation or something like that, and i might be at risk??? im confused and very upset. My supervisor said it was ok, as it was a very small risk, and i should be fine. She did'nt seem worried at all. What is this? please tell me :-(

[stewey]

Perhaps he meant that he's taking radiation therapy for a cancer. It won't affect at all. phleb.

[phleb]

He said he had cancer. Oh thank you, you made me feel so much better. I don't want to die just yet, i got two small children to bring up.

[stewey]

For many years, phleb, I was a laboratory technologist specializing in Hematology and Immunhematology. Once a week we had to perform phlebotomy duties at a cancer clinic..I'm still here:)

[NOX]

What are you qualified as if you don't mind me asking phleb?

[phleb]

Phlebotomist.

[NOX]

I was only wondering as I had assumed as much but I'd also assumed that as part of your training they would have covered what is and isn't risky in the taking of bloods and what can and can't hurt you.

[phleb]

No, it was a matter of getting into it and deep end. I go alone now, im ok with it, but could do with a bit of support. But, still going tough. Still pondering whether this is for me.

[mrsmaveric]

someone i know has got to have radiocative iodine treatment due to an overactive thyroid im sure there no need to worry...

[boxtops]

Phleb, do you still have a registered nurse mentor? - where we are, you do your theory and practical training but you still have a mentor you can call on if you are stuck.

(It would have been nice if you knew about the pt before you took his bloods, but I don't know what you have to ask before you take it.) It just occurred to me today that I went to the phlebotomist at the request of my GP, but presumably you'd take the GP's word for it that I was a suitable person to give a sample.

[phleb]

I'm an idiot, i never seem to be successful in anything in life. Everything is always a mess.

[sherrardk]

Don't be so hard on yourself phleb. New job, new skills - you'll soon get the hang of it, x

[gness]

Phleb...with everything else going on you've done very well to land this job.
If you feel you need some support do you have anyone you can speak to?
You're quite new to this job and are bound to have concerns from time to time. x

[Gavmacp]

Dear phleb,
I think you are doing really well. I am a qualified nurse but do not think I would like to take bloods. Don't be so hard on yourself!

[Zacs-Master]

If its any help, 2 nurses (one of them Macmillan) had trouble taking bloods from my dad. If the vein is difficult to get to then even very experience professionals have trouble sometimes.

[stewey]

In a hospital setting, the most efficient staff members for blood-taking are, in order: phlebotomists, IV nurses, lab techs. "Ordinary" nurses and doctors are, in general, rubbish at it. But, because, they are further up the "food chain" most people think that they must be good at it.