Pro tip: Take a phlebotomy course before med school/starting clinical rotations.
On my year off between undergrad and med school, I decided to take a phlebotomy course because I didn’t want to be one of those doctors who are terrible at finding veins. Turns out that was the best money I ever spent towards my education. I never ended up getting officially certified, but having that experience of sticking my classmates for 6 weeks gave me so much experience that makes me confident now to be able to take blood and start IV’s.
More than that, it really impresses attendings and residents when you can get the vein on the first try and don’t look like a fumbling mess trying to do it.
This week I had an anesthesia elective week while on my surgery rotation and I started every IV for my attending on the first try- and she was impressed. By the end of the day she let me intubate her patient which she told me she only does if she really likes the med student, and that she doesn’t even let most surgery residents do it if they ask. I guarantee part of her gaining confidence in me was my ability to start those IVs.
