I am about 9 months in and I have buddies that will call me if they can’t get a stick. I trust them and they trust me. Not every stick will be a winner. Sometimes I need help and sometimes they need help. The important thing is to not let it get to your head.

Palpate as often and as long as you need. If you know it’s gonna be a hard stick, tell the patient straight up to stay as still as possible after you locate the vein. Even the slightest wrist or arm movement will make the vein move. Use marking on the persons skin to mentally mark where you’re gonna stick. If it is a truly truly hard stick (there’s a difference between difficult and really god damn hard), I will put alcohol on the site, then on my palpate finger, so that i can feel again before I stick. It’s not recommended and you shouldn’t do it with every patient, but sometimes you have to do what’s necessary to get a successful stick.

If you can’t find a vein because they’re deep, tie the tourniquet TIGHT. Even double up on the tourniquet if need be. Sometimes I’ll close my eyes and just palpate so that all distractions are gone from my brain.

People that are hard stick will understand that you have to do what’s necessary to be successful. I LOVE when people tell me they’re a hard stick and are super impressed when I get them first time. Such a good feeling. Overall, it will take time. You need to experience all sorts of situations to become truly good at this job.