The Great Irony

K, I realized I just have to get this out there.


I don't like being stuck with needles.

In fact I used to be kinda needle-phobic. I've wondered why I chose to be in phlebotomy for that very reason. Well, I guess it's because when you know what it's like to have your own apprehension about needles you are better able to sympathize with patients who are afraid too.

I haven't had a patient afraid of needles yet or a needle-phobic patient. I differentiate between the two because there is a difference. Someone who is just "afraid" or "has a strong dislike" for needles is just that. They seriously don't like them and try to avoid them when they can, but when they have to have one they just turn the other way and look forward to the end. That's the category I'm in.

Then there's another category. My grandpa is in this category. He passes out at the sight of needles. Unfortunately, this means he has to get another needle just to revive him, so it works out to his detriment. Someone who is phobic of needles has a deeper fear than most people without phobias can understand. They even avoid essential medical care just to not get stuck. There have even been cases of people going into cardiac arrest upon being stuck because their fear is so great! It's not a condition we can laugh about.

So, I guess my aversion does come in handy. I know other students who have absolutely no fear or even hesitation about needles at all. I have no idea how they do it. One student even egged me on to stick her during practice even when I couldn't find her vein. If that had been me, I'd have developed a pallor and recommend they find an easier arm to practice on (Although I actually have really good veins, I often find myself admiring them <3). You don't want to make students anxious by making them think you have no confidence in them, but then there's something to be said about too much confidence. But, when you have no fear, you don't worry about that I guess. It's just a little poke.