I was taught without gloves, bit like venepuncture and trying to do it with gloves is hard.
Yes I always wipe the first blood spot away and I was doing PKUs on day 5 in the community in year 1. It as to be day 5 to ensure the babe has ingested enough milk to be able to test that they are metabolising it properly, aswell as for the screening tests. Any later than day 5 is putting potentially ill babies at risk
I watched my mentor a few times and then I just got on with them. I feel I have a knack with them and always manage to get blood and most of the time the babes dont cry, I put it down to being taught my a master PKU'er! lol
Have a look at our screening glossary item..
http://www.studentmidwife.net/student-midwives-glossary-definition-terms/3246-screening.html#post19410