Venepuncture and a nurse at work

That is a terrible way of trying to get blood. No flashback, you aren't in a vein, don't waste a vaccutainer.
Rummaging around with a needle just causes damage under the skin and massive bruising.

As a well grown adult I would be complaining vociferously - not all teenagers would have the confidence to and/or ask for someone else.

I'm surprised that noone has complained to the clinic or ward.

If people have complained that you're aware of raise it

Vet nurse here so different species, but we use the same method as you (but using a human as the tourniquet 😂).

We use a 2 attempt method - if you can't get the vein on 2 attempts, you pass it to a colleague.

Your colleague sound like she needs some additional training/practice. I would definitely report to your line manager OP. Your poor patients!

Please report. The midwife at my Drs surgery was one of these. I'm totally non-squeamish about having blood taken but it was awful

There is no need for discussion or opinions of others, OP. You are professionally obligated and have a duty to report.

You do not need to specualte on whether she needs retraining, or on the procedure she is using, you only have to report your concern that she is not efficiently finding veins and is causing people to faint. Of course you can report your concerns about the procedure at the same time, but her line manager will deal with all of that.

I was a physio manager, and if I'd caught any of my staff speculating on social media rather than reporting a concern for patient safety, I'd be having a stern word. So you may want to report your post and ask for it to be removed in case you are recognised!

Speak to the ward manager/matron/NIC. Are the fainting incidents being correctly documented? Is there and ed team?

Students definitely undertake venepuncture in our trust.

Why are you not challenging poor practice? You are the patients advocate and this should have been raised at the time or immediately after.

Would you honestly take the word of untrained folk on a chat board before touching base with the nurse/your own management team about this?

Perhaps it’s time for a re-read of the code of conduct?

They do in our trust. They start them early these days.

Student nurses do not undertake venepuncture!

This. You need to report unsafe practice. It’s under your duty of care and PIN. I lead the training team in a hospital and we will retrain people or refresh if asked gladly.

I don’t think that op can be a qualified nurse. Maybe a student?

Hungover isn't necessarily under the influence though.

You have a professional duty to report her under the NMC code of conduct (if you are a qualified nurse)
She is causing patients harm

Flashback is a small amount of blood visible in the needle's chamber when you insert the needle. It's how we know whether or not the needle is in the vein. If there's no flashback then you've missed!

Using a green butterfly is fine for reasons already mentioned. I only use a blue if a patient has particularly hard to find veins. The rest is awful. I always palpate - some veins look great but move easily and the needle can slip to the side. As for the digging around, I was told when I did my training that, if you don't get the vein right away you should remove the needle. No repositioning allowed at all. In practice I might try to reposition slightly but certainly no "digging" and I stop right away if it's painful for the patient. You need to report your colleague. I'd be complaining if I was her patient.

Are you serious, @Garlicpest? No nurse or HCP of any sort should be at work while still under the influence of alcohol. It used to be, and I hope still is, a disciplinary matter. Any colleagues covering up for her - likewise.

How standards have slipped if it's true.

The last time I needed one they put it in the vein on the side of my wrist running over the wrist bone. I freaked out a bit (needle phobic) because I was expecting it in the back of my hand! But the nurse said the vein she put it in was "beautiful" so that's why it was going in there!

Obviously she is wrong but why on earth haven’t you raised that with your manager

I'm amazed no one else has noticed if your patients are fainting

@Greybeardy @olympicsrock ahhh I see !! Thank you.

That’s exactly what happens with me. They usually have to use my wrist as my veins are crap and more than once I’ve had to go back to see the other nurse who never fails 😂

Just speak to your line manager, if you think she is not doing it correctly and patients are harmed. What is your role, are you able to teach her yourself.

The only opinion you should be interested in is your line managers.

Report poor practice in the correct channels.

What difference will opinions on here make?

Do you just want people to agree with you?

This is unprofessional and inappropriate. You do of course know this.

wrist is a very good place to put it. Nice cephalic vein at the wrist is much better than one in the back of the hand ( often small vein and can be kinked if it goes over the wrist join) . Better than front of the elbow ( may kink and stop a drip from running ) .

if that's where your best veins are then that's the best place to put it.