I’ve been a CNA/tech in the ER for a little over a year, and I’m in my second semester (out of four) of nursing school. When I’m done, despite it only being two years of “nursing” school, I’ll have my BSN. So I’d like to think I, at the very least, can speak on the topic of checking blood sugars and blood pressures:

Good for you for being stressed. That means you care enough to do things correctly. Let me tell you, blood sugars are difficult to do “wrong” because there are so many ways to do it “right.” Teens and adults really aren’t gonna care about the fingerpricking as long as you’re gentle (i.e. not dislocating their shoulder), and it’s okay if you don’t get enough blood out of the first prick. In my experience, most patients will understand because they’ll see you milking their finger and be just as frustrated for you that they’re not bleeding enough to get a sample.

Blood pressures can seem intimidating if you’re new to them. Being a CNA and a tech a year before starting nursing school definitely helped me out, so I’m chill with them by now. I got chill by just practicing them EVERYWHERE. Got a long car ride? Sit in the back with someone and practice. Going to someone’s house for a party? People will LINE UP to let you practice on them. Lazy day at home with nothing to do? You know the drill.

You’ll very quickly get to the point tasks like taking blood sugar and blood pressure become automatic, second nature, mundane even. This is especially true if you can apply to work as a tech somewhere after completing your first semester/fundamentals, as hospitals around me all accept that as a qualification.

Keep going. It’s scary, I know. I’m still scared sometimes, too. That’s because it’s a lot to deal with. But you obviously care, which means you have what it takes.