Drawing blood is an essential skill for nurses, but even if you’ve been doing it for years, there’s always room for improvement. Be sure to protect yourself first and foremost by always wearing clean, sterile gloves. Always puncture the patient’s skin at a 15-degree angle to minimize the risks to your patient. Check both of your patient’s arms to find the best median cubital vein to work with. Once the blood has been collected, label the specimen right away to avoid confusion or mishaps. Over time your skills will get better with practice, but you certainly want to always aim for a job well done to keep yourself and your patients protected.
