Does anyone else keep feeling the need to check the bevel and the vein repeatedly before sticking, even after just having checked seconds ago? And how to resolve this…

It might just be a skill issue and definitely includes an element of confidence issues, but my gosh, it’s like I have to check that the bevel is facing upwards at least 3 times minimum before sticking.

I’ll look at the bevel, then look at and palpate the vein again (especially happens whenever the vein isn’t one of those that are huge, juicy and incredibly obvious to the naked eye that it’d take severe vision issues to miss it), then I have to confirm that my bevel is facing up again, and then I lose sight of where I intended to stick so I palpate again and try and landmark where it is, but then eye and brain go: CHECK BEVEL AGAIN so I check it but then because I moved my eyes from the landmark to check the bevel, I LOSE THE LANDMARK. It’s like the moment I look away from my bevel to look at the vein, I don’t trust that my bevel is facing up anymore. Not sure why this thing seems to be coming up more and more often despite being more experienced in phlebo now. I can stick 50+ patients in a shift successfully at first attempt (compared to 15 a shift back in October while I was doing my clinical placement for 100 draws), but I’m more unsure of my bevel (and also the entry point that I want to stick at too) now than I had been back then. I’ve gotten at least 300+ more draws under my belt now since then, but now I feel more panicky than ever especially with the bevel direction. Like… what’s up with that?

As queen riri so eloquently puts it: 🏳️ sos pls someone help me it’s not healthy for me to feel this waaaay 🏳️