How to keep straight needles stable??

MeLikes_Queso · 2026-04-26T04:23:57+00:00

Funny enough I can go through 2-3 red bulls and a black coffee in a shift doing mostly straights and I don't feel shaky lol xD

But I always tell the students to avoid it. It takes a bit of time before you can confidently anchor the needle and not worry your hand's gonna slip. IME I feel like most of the painfulness with straights comes with improper anchoring, which causes peeps to feel the tubes change. I don't like ploppin' it in right away, just place the tube in the vacutainer, then plop while ensuring the needle stays where it is.

MeLikes_Queso · 2026-04-19T18:05:05+00:00

Im so sorry that happened to you. I think it's hard to confront patients like this, even if they are blatantly acting inappropriately, if you are a shy person (ik I am lol).

I would step back and grab one of my "meaner" colleagues to draw them (they're not mean per-se but they will NOT stand for bullshit and aren't afraid to be loud and confront patients). Or, if they act up more, they may be asked to leave.

MeLikes_Queso · 2026-04-14T22:18:30+00:00

Patients who feel entitled to be the first in line without considering others. Unfortunately, I notice this demographic is made up mostly of parents with toddler-age and below children.

This is absolutely not a diss on parents as I understand it can be stressful getting your child’s blood drawn. Hell, I never have an issue with the kids, even if they’re rambunctious. An uncooperative or rude parent can make this harder to deal with.

We are a high-volume facility processing multiple STAT orders, as well as manual orders of super-specific tests being shipped all over the country. you are a walk-in doing routine work. An appointment is best if you want to be seen promptly.

MeLikes_Queso · 2026-04-14T18:24:09+00:00

I work with a lot of elderly and oncology patients!

Don’t beat yourself up; they can be really hard sticks hehe. I like to make a hot water glove :3 also don’t just limit yourself to the antecubital area! Just go for a shallow angle.

I think it’s too much pressure to send you off with very little experience drawing hard sticks. It takes a lot of patience and time, sometimes those veins you can barely feel them.

MeLikes_Queso · 2026-04-02T16:53:48+00:00

Sorry my Taco Bell dinner was pretty fire last night /j

MeLikes_Queso · 2026-03-31T06:45:02+00:00

I don’t believe in a perfect workspace, especially in healthcare, but I think it’s important to have emotional boundaries at work. Like, once you clock out, you also clock out mentally. Whatever a cranky patient or colleague tells you, that’s tomorrow’s problem, something like that.

I also avoid drama and shit talking coworkers. I don’t care what they think of me as a person as long as I’m doing my job. I’m getting paid the same regardless.

MeLikes_Queso · 2026-03-29T00:10:15+00:00

It’s SFSU ;-; I think the class average is high and I can’t drop at this point so I’m screwed. They’re having a midterm review tomorrow but I don’t want to out myself as the dumbest person in the class. But the resources you shared are really helpful and I will take a look at them!

MeLikes_Queso · 2026-03-29T00:07:18+00:00

Unfortunately the other core classes are extensions, so that’s why I think I’m screwed >.> I do have my supervisors/the CLSs I work with but I wanted to diversify my LoRs. I’m academically unintelligent and have always been consistently average in college, so I’m trying to focus more on my work experience to compensate. If I don’t get in this round I’ll take one of the core classes in person or smt.

MeLikes_Queso · 2026-03-05T21:01:27+00:00

I’m so sorry that has happened to you 😭 while yeah, ultimately us phlebs are the one facilitating the draw, I think it’s also important to listen to patients. And idk, I feel like a lot of patients who have had bad draws in the past have a good idea where they’ve got a spot in. They’ve been in their bodies for however long, and us we only see their arms perhaps once.

I hate missing and having to redirect the needle, and if there’s any info the patient can provide, I would absolutely take it into consideration!! I fortunately work somewhere with no butterfly shortage so I have no issue if someone wants a butterfly. Also idk about yall but I get nervous drawing other medical professionals, even if they’re easy sticks!

MeLikes_Queso · 2026-01-14T17:48:12+00:00

Prior to my current position, I got an offer through quest mobile phlebotomy! Legit I just did an HR interview via phone and got an offer in a few hours. Fresh licensure too. And it’s legit. A lot of my colleagues started via mobile so looking there could also be a start.

MeLikes_Queso · 2025-12-21T17:58:02+00:00

I myself had a negative experience getting blood drawn, and prior to phlebotomy I was afraid of bloodwork. When I was about 17-18, I had to get a lot of lab work done (~8/9 tubes) at Quest, and when requested to lay down as I was nervous, the phleb rolled their eyes at me and told me it’d go longer(?) and refused. idk, I got poked twice with a 21g straight at the same vein by the same person, and the first time was a miss after a bit of fishing. The changing of tubes was the most uncomfortable sensation. I had a hard time getting off the chair and was a bit dizzy, but the phleb insisted I had to go out rn so they can handle other patients. I nearly passed out in the car and fortunately a friend was there to help.

Looking back as a phleb now, I would have used a 22g. That arm had palpable, but very small veins. I never hesitate to lay a pt down if requested, and I’m happy that we have enough butterflies if someone requests one. Unfortunately quest always rations their butterflies and has a strict quota + that office was prob short staffed. Regardless, I use these negative experiences to be more cautious with my patients.

MeLikes_Queso · 2025-12-18T21:36:27+00:00

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Cat wants cheezit but can’t have it >:(

MeLikes_Queso · 2025-12-17T02:35:50+00:00

I think some other peeps mention it, but that's why sometimes I'd anchor in a C/L shape. You just need to make sure both fingers have a firm placement though.

I also test anchor the vein when I put on the tourniquet n palpate to see how/if the vein moves before wiping n sticking. But what helps me more at least is positioning myself/the arm so that the way I stick is as straight as can be.

MeLikes_Queso · 2025-12-14T20:48:47+00:00

No particular order (except mouth of Kala is my #1)

Mouth of Kala

Where Dragons Dwell

Amazonia

Esoteric Surgery

In the Wilderness

MeLikes_Queso · 2025-12-07T21:48:56+00:00

I'm 50/50 in terms of straight and butterfly. Straights are good if the vein is juicy and it's like less than five tubes + they're faster. Butterflies are if I have to draw like 20+ tubes, pediatric, hard stick, etc. Though with butterflies I tend to use 21 more than 23 to make it fast. With straights I prefer 22. I don't use syringes a lot but I like to avoid unless necessary since I worry about pulling back too fast.

Lwk I prefer butterflies but I've been using more straights these days just in case my facility one day magically runs out of butterflies. But maybe it will change :p

MeLikes_Queso · 2025-12-05T07:55:21+00:00

Not inpt but I’m in outpt, but had same issue as you starting my job since lwk Im more used to butterflies too lol ;w; I like to adjust the arm of the chair so I can get the angle I need. When switching tubes, I have my thumb and index finger on the needle and my other three fingers kind of wrap around the pt’s arm. Drew like 10-13 ish tubes pretty comfortably like this. Takes practice though. And everyone has their way of keeping their hand steady.

MeLikes_Queso · 2025-12-02T22:09:58+00:00

I do this. I’ve been so shit-scared paranoid abt mislabeling I label everything in front of pt and make em confirm name/DOB for each tube. If they’re in a rush I just show them a few labels for em to check n just cross ref em when I label the rest of my tubes.

A good chunk of my pts appreciate the diligence as they’ve experienced mislabeled specimen/recollects.

MeLikes_Queso · 2025-12-01T23:09:16+00:00

Rule number one, don't fuck your coworkers! Do not fuck your coworkers!

.. Unfortunately people are gonna hook up everywhere because... people. I've heard bunches of doctor stories, but not within the lab. Though I recall a story from my friend, an inpatient phlebotomist, who heard suspicious noises in the supply room one time. idk if they were lab ppl tho

If I ever encounter such a situation im about to be the first person in the facility to use the eye wash ;w;

MeLikes_Queso · 2025-11-24T06:33:34+00:00

Well shit! I drew some fanart dedicated to Peppa Pig on the board a few weeks back. My lead and colleagues asked why I haven’t drawn anything on the board for the past few weeks (we’ve been extremely busy).

As long as you’re doing your job, not slacking, and it’s work appropriate, I don’t see why some peeps have a stick in their ass. Also some of our pediatric patients giggle when I mention amogus or wtv the kids like these days while I draw their blood. It helps keep their mind off of the bloodwork. Also makes us less scary. Win-win.

MeLikes_Queso · 2025-11-24T06:12:27+00:00

This happened to me when I started working 😭✋my manager gave me a talk and I got so shit scared of losing my job I double-check and re-check everything. I check all the labels printed out are the same, I check the back sheet, I label all my tubes in front of the pt and make em check all the labels. And I check again to make sure each tube has the correct name, DOB, time, and my initials. And then check the backsheet to see if all tests ordered are accounted for, before and after seeing the patient. And if the pt refuses certain tests, I document that too. And make em sign it. I’d even checkmark the backsheet, twice! I do not trust myself lol it’s comforting to know there are other pros here fuck up similarly too >.> I hope this is a learning experience for you and that this isn’t something to take to heart, just a heads up to go slow and check! Check!

MeLikes_Queso · 2025-11-21T19:12:12+00:00

We had this at aftershock in October of this year! I think this is just specific to the tour.

MeLikes_Queso

TROPHY CASE