Five people, five needles, and more than five tubes: A Phlebotomy Experience

Five needles, five people, more than five tubes. I look at the syllabus of my phlebotomy class on the first day of the lecture. We are going to draw each other’s blood, literall, human blood. The syllabus says we are going to all practice on the fake arm (Charlie arm) for thirty tubes and then we will draw on each other five times. Five times. Just thinking about having to poke someone with an actual needle was frightening.

First day of phlebotomy lab

We started off phlebotomy lab watching videos and learning about the anatomy of the human arm, the steps, and order of the tubes. The following week, we started practicing on the Charlie arm. The lab only had two arms for about thirty students to practice. This meant that we would only have about one try to be able to practice on the charlie arm so everyone could have a turn. I am waiting patiently in the second line since all of us are waiting to practice our very first time on the charlie. I wait my turn patiently.

Drawing blood from a fake arm

I am third in line. I see how happy everyone is. Everyone who was in front of me drew “blood” (saline) from the charlie arm. It looked easy. I thought, if they could do it, so could I. It’s my turn. I gather all of my materials. Needle, vacutainer, tourniquet, gauze, tubes, and all. Everything was good. All of a sudden, I put the tube in the vacutainer and watched to see the “blood” fill my tube. But, nothing happened. My tube was empty. It’s time for the next person in line. 

Pracrticing the Charlie arm

I wasn’t able to get the blood until the following time we met for the phlebotomy lab. It took me awhile to get the technique down. I knew I had to finish my tubes and practice on charlie so I did just that. I practiced and practiced. Sometimes I got blood, but sometimes I missed. I knew I had to improve my technique because pretty soon, we would be drawing each other. 

I practiced and practiced.

Peer draws

The first day to draw peers, I didn’t go because everyone else had signed up. Instead, I decided to practice more with charlie arms. We now had three arms to practice on. One charlie arm was difficult to draw. I still couldn’t find the veins. I wasted about five tubes until I decided to quit. My friend who was holding the arm for me said, “You got this Vanessa, come on, try with the syringe.” Reluctantly, I did just that-tried. I put the syringe in the arm. Blood was filling the syringe. I was happy. I didn;t get the arm with the vacutainer, but I got blood from the syringe. 

First day drawing my peer

My very first day to draw an actual human being finally arrived. We were both ready. We were nervous but ready. I went first. I got everything ready and proceeded to draw blood. I put the tourniquet on, felt the vein, and stuck the needle in her arm. I then put the tube inside the vacutainer, but nothing. NO blood came out. My friend said, “Ah, yes, it didn’t hurt Vanessa.” Little did she know that I was happy I din’t hurt her, but I was sad that I didn;t get blood on my first try with an actual person. I finished the procedure as I should, I sat down for my turn to be drawn.

We were nervous but ready

A phone call with my dad

I called my dad. I told him all about it. I told him I didn’t draw blood. I told him I was nervous. I told him I was sad. He said, “It’s okay chica. La próxima vez, todo va salir bien.” (It’s okay, daughter, next time, for sure everything will be good). That day, I felt discouraged. How come other people make it so easy when in reality, it’s not? How come other people got it their first time and not me? I felt so discouraged.

Second time drawing a peer

The week finally came for me to try again. So, I did as I did last time. I went first. I got all my materials ready. I did everything like before, but this time being cautious to find the vein correctly. I put the tourniquet on, palpated the vein, put alcohol on the vein, and proceeded to stick the needle inside. I pick up the tube from the counter and stick it in the vacutainer. I felt a little sense of joy when I saw actual blood fill my tube. Human blood filled my tube. I proceeded with the rest of the procedure and then I allowed my friend to draw me. We both got blood that day.

Discouraging moments

I felt discouraged. Throughout the process of drawing blood, I felt discouraged when I didn’t get the charlie arm. I felt discouraged when I couldn’t get the “hard” charlie arm with more than five tubes. I felt discouraged when I wasn’t successful with my first human blood draw. However, a little voice inside of me always told me to never give up. Did I fail? Absolutely. Did I miss charlie’s arm? Absolutely. However, I realized throughout the process that things take time.

I felt discouraged. Throughout the process of drawing blood, I felt discouraged when I didn’t get the Charlie arm.

Life lessons and closing remarks

Life is hard. Life will find ways to bring you down. You will fail. You will get discouraged. You will see other people succeed. However, everyone has their own journey. The Bible says, “So do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). Never fear. All of us are on a different journey. Find joy through it all.

All of us are on a different journey