Another trainee challenge

A couple of weeks ago, a new trainee joined us. And, since she is yet another who was one of my students, she was thrilled to find that i'd be her instructor, since she is already comfortable with me. Her name is "C".

C was a good student - a little on the nervous side just like anyone who is learning an new profession. Much of her "problem" was that she's ambidexterous and could never make up her mind which hand would be most comfortable when drawing.

After her first day of following me, I had her do some easy sticks, and she transferred that needle from one hand to the other, trying to decide until I flat out told her that we were going to decide, and it was going to be her right hand that held the needle. She did as well as I would have expected her first few days, but then I had a day off and she was sent out with another phlebotomist, one who I don't mind having as a backup. I hoped to hear exciting news about how C did. The report was not good. I won't get into it as it would take too long, but suffice it to say C got no draws that day. That was on a Friday. I worked the weekend, so Monday was also my day off. Tuesday I asked for an update and was informed that C only got a couple of draws.

Turns out that my boss had told the phleb who was taking C out to let her go into rooms alone. And C was so stressed she had to stop and puke three times during the morning before the patients were finished.

Turns out she had good reason. Even though C told my boss about it, my boss didn't remember that C had not finished her internship because life stepped in and made other plans for her most unexpectedly. So, C has not even had the most basic of training; our internships requires a minimum of 100 venipunctures and 10 capillary punctures to receive certification. Of course, until C told me this, I had no idea either, just thought it was really odd that she was so uncertain - believe me, it was more uncertainty than someone should have after a short internship. And so, we were expecting her to handle far more than she was ready for. No wonder the poor girl was throwing up!

Anyway, she did pretty well Monday through Thursday last week. Again, I had Friday off and again my 'second' took C out with her. Bad day for C...she didn't get but a couple of sticks. My second thinks that C has grown too dependent on me.

I can't have that. She's got to be ready to be able to take a pod of rooms by the end of the week - but, she's called in sick both on Monday and today. That puts her two days behind on the get-go. I'm wondering if she's stressed herself into thinking she can't do the job. She can, but she's got to realize that she won't have someone with her forever. I am thinking I will have to see how she does tomorrow, and if she has a good day with me tomorrow, I'll talk to my boss about putting her with Dean to see how she works with him.

Am I there for my students? Of course. Can they depend on me? Of course, I'll do everything I can to smooth the way for them, and show 'em the tricks I've learned that no one ever thought to tell me. But, I cannot have a student who clings to me for dear life when each good day should be a step forward in her confidence. She's got to be able to draw blood alongside of anyone who may be in the room with her. She's got to develop the confidence to confront a doctor when necessary, and not take any shit off the few nurses who think that theirs doesn't stink.