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1. The AABB Tech Manual, the AABB Standards, Harmening's book is good, Issit's "Applied Group Serology" is excellent; Mollison's "Blood Transfusion is Clinical Medicine" is excellent; Blood Bank Guy - a very useful site; this forum - always useful. The AABB website. National websites (AUS, New Zealand Canada) for their blood services. ARC and UBS (now Vitalent) - our big national blood suppliers. 2. Get a set pattern of working set up that you can follow (within the ways your Blood Bank likes to do things: tubes, automated, computerized, etc.); ALWAYS do the work the same way - keep things in the same order always - your tubes, your results, your units as you work with them and label them. I have trained people who I watch do things in a completely random order, especially as they load the centrifuge - then they had to straighten out every thing to read it and enter it in the computer. Waste of time and very confusing - it will get you in BIG trouble someday when you are in a hurry. At the same time - things will change overtime - new computer, new instrument, etc. - be adaptive to change. If you need to set up a new pattern because it is more efficient or works better with a new instrument (especially computers) - be willing to change and adapt. 3. Always keep an eye on processes - make sure they follow the Standards and are being done correctly. Watch for inappropriate procedural drift - don't just change the procedure to "your" way just because you think it works better - it may be the other way for a good reason. If not - talk it out and see if you can initiate change. Blood bankers can be slow to change, but they follow rules for VERY good reasons. 4. You just always wish you knew more. Patients don't always follow the "rules" and situations can be very fluid in trying to get the right products to the right patient at the right time - and YOU will be the one holding the line on staying within safety rules (and yes, they do scream at you sometimes.) Most Drs and many RNs do not know a lot about Blood Bank - you will answer many questions. Always try to keep learning. Remember always - there is a patient at the other end of that conversation and they need your help. You may be the only one with the right and safe answer, but you have to find a way to help the patient 1st. Best of luck - enjoy the adventure.

Follow policies / procedures. Pay attention to details. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Pat yourself on the back when you make it through your first Massive Transfusion Protocol! Let the adrenaline work for you -- keep calm and work on. Enjoy Blood Bank -- I've been doing this for 30 years, and I love it!