How long did it take you to master inserting an IV?

Specialties Emergency

Published

Hello Everybody

I just started my first nursing position at a ED of a hospital and things are great but I am having the hardest time inserting IVs in patients. I have been reading so many forums about the subject on this board but I never learned how to put in an IV in nursing school, the hospital taught me how to do it last week, and this week, I only had two successful IVs out of eight.

My coworkers say it just takes practice but my question to you is

How long did it take you to become an IV master?

and How fast can you put in an IV in an emergency situation?

And any personal tips would be greatly appreciated

Specializes in CAPA RN, ED RN.

Kudos to you for finding ways to improve this skill. If it helps, everyone has a difficult start from time to time. I can go for months without having to poke anyone twice and then run into that "easy" start that takes 2-3 sticks.

The number one thing that helps me the most is looking at every possible vein before I make a selection. I cannot tell you how many times I have poked someone more than I should have and then look where I hadn't looked before and realized that a vein of gold was within my reach the entire time. And I have to personally like the vein I poke. When I am mentoring someone who is learning to start IVs I will sometimes point out veins I like when they ask me. However if they like another vein I do not discourage them. They usually get the vein they like.

If you can manage it get your best IV starters to watch you and give you immediate feedback. If they are experienced they should be able to spot things that will help you. And remember, you can do it!

Lately, I have been getting the iv's and unable to get bloods

Specializes in RN.
More updates for me. I'm doing a lot better on my IVs. I'm getting more wins and while I still get loses, it's hard stick loses that the senior nurses have trouble with.

Before I stick a patient. I always tell myself

"Track from far" - pull back

"Land swallow" - low low angles

"Advance and pull" - advance cath and pull back on the needle.

"Rule of thumb" - apply pressure at the tip of the cath"

And I'm still learning and I still want more experience!

Please elaborate, interested...

Please elaborate, interested...

Sure, my biggest issues with inserting IVs was that I would stabilize the vein to close from the insertion site, I would go in at an acute angle, I would accidentally advance the needle and pierce through the vein, or I would apply pressure in the wrong area and it would result in a giant blood pool.

"Track from far" - stabilize the vein at an area where it won't get in the way of my other hand inserting.

"Land Shallow" - It's my way of holding the needle. I hold dangling with my thumb and middle finder and I use my trigger finger to advance the cath. Land Shallow is like a plane approaching a runway. low angle (and a deeper subQ)

"Advance and pull" advance cath and pull back needle

"Rule of thumb" the catheter is usually the size of my fingernail so if I imagine that in the vein, I would know how to stop the bleeding.

It works for me....

Damn, I am good at IVs now.

You know my first gig out of school was in the ED and that was one of the things I was most nervous about because we do it ten+ times per day. After a few months I was way more comfortable. I'm still not an "expert" but I do get asked to help with the hard sticks here and there. Always makes you feel good when people seek you for assistance. Just keep sticking and you'll get to where you are comfortable!

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