The Associated Press recently ran a story of Gail Stotler, BSN, RN, which was picked up by newspapers across the U.S. Gail developed a vein dilation technique in direct contrast to what most all of us learned – a tight tourniquet, rubbing, slapping, and flicking – to identify a ripe vein for the sticking. Stotler’s advocacy for gentle touch to dilate veins may seem like a stretch, but it has been recognized by the National Phlebotomy Association, American Society for Clinical Pathology, and the World Association of Societies of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Sounds vetted to me. Stotler practiced the technique for years and published a seven-book series in 2006.

Gail is one in three million U.S. registered nurses (American Nurses Association, 2011) choosing to make a difference one less-painful needle-stick at a time.

The 1 in 3 Million series highlights individual nurses – diverse, frail, powerful, artistic, opinionated, daring – those changing their own lives and the lives of those surrounding them.