Test Anxiety & Relief

Many people experience some version of test anxiety in their lifetimes. While some may only encounter this type of stress once or twice over a very difficult exam, others feel it every time they are required to show their learning in the form of a test. If you fall into the latter category and are preparing to take your phlebotomy certification exam or a test for your continuing education course, follow this advice to help calm your fears.

Before Test Day

As the course begins, develop a good study method and try to manage your time wisely. A huge source of stress often comes from trying to absorb too much information late in the game. You can also visualize mastery of the material as you learn it.

Final Exam Preparation

Again, avoid cramming. You should have developed some level of mastery over the material by this point, so go forth with confidence! Get a good night’s sleep, enjoy a good breakfast, and be sure you get comfortable in your seat. Before you start, clear your mind and take a few deep breaths to calm the nerves. Relax—you’ve got this!

During the Test

Take it slow and steady, and be sure to read through any instructions carefully. If you find yourself getting stressed, turn the test over (pause in some way) and stretch. Take a few more deep breaths and dive back in. Skip any questions you don’t know and return to them later. Remember, there is no reward for finishing first, so don’t let the sound of people getting done cause any anxiety.

Allaying Patient Fears During Blood Draws

As a phlebotomy technician, your primary role is to effectively draw blood and collect it according to protocols that will ensure that it is appropriately processed by the lab. Being organized, focused, and paying attention to details are important characteristics to display. Another highly important part of the phlebotomists job is to calm the fears of their patients, which will happen quite frequently.

Here a few tips to help your patients feel at ease:

·         Show empathy and maintain eye contact with the patient throughout the process. Try and relate to their fears.

·         Stay on pace with the patient. Try to slow down if that seems to help or expedite if they seem to want it over quickly.

·         Talk about each step as you take it in a calm tone so as to not alarm the patient.

·         Give the patient a focal point. Whether you encourage deep breaths, counting to ten, or focusing on an image in the room, give the patient an alternative to zeroing in on the needle.

·         If you have an extremely anxious patient or if they indicate fainting or other issues with previous blood draws, offer them a reclining or flat surface to help them stay calm.