[luv4nursing]

Hello! I was wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction as to where I can go to learn a few skills I wasnt taught in LPN school? Im interested in learning to draw blood, start IVs, and to read/interpret EKGs. I am IV certified, but the class I took was over a year ago and it was a joke. We started IV on a wooden arm, as a class.

Im now halfway through the LPN to RN transition and Ive found most of the others in my class who are paramedics or RTs have these skills that Ive never even done. Im not sure where to go to learn them, but Id like to graduate at least having tried them before. Ive been an LPN for a little over a year and work in peds home health. It seems most LPNs who have phlebotomy skills learned them working in a Drs office. That isnt an option for me due to 1) my school schedule and 2) the low pay

Im moving to a new town in about a week, so Im going to seek out somewhere to have the opportunity to obtain the skills I feel I need. I will probably stay in home health bc its easy to do while in school, but Im going to ask if I can buddy up with another nurse at times for a lower pay rate or even for free so Im able to get trained on these skills. Knowing how to draw blood and start IVs would also be great bc then I could do visits.

Any other ideas? I feel so incompetant. What kind of nurse doesnt even know how to draw blood?

[pagandeva2000]

There are plenty of nurses that cannot draw blood...it was not the main focus in school. I learned it years ago because I took a course and worked as a phlebotomist. It does help me, now, but, I can see how a nurse would not know these things. But, now, you will know the rationale (that the technicians may not have) as well as the skill. But, to answer your question, I can understand what you mean. I just got through taking an EKG interpetation course that was nothing less than phenomenal. Find some continuing education courses at either your college or other schools in your area. Also, ask the instructors at your school. What state do you live in? Beth Israel School for Nursing has the EKG interpetation course given by their continuing education program here in New York City. I am about to take their wound care and diabetes seminars coming up this year. I learned so much! But, don't give up! Ask around some more. You'll find them!

[TheCommuter]

Originally Posted by luv4nursing

What kind of nurse doesnt even know how to draw blood?

A huge number of nurses do not know how to draw blood. That's what the lab is for.

If you end up working in a hospital or nursing home, the lab technicians usually draw the blood for the nurses.

[TheCommuter]

I apologize, as I didn't answer your question. To learn IV starts, you can take an EMT course. To learn blood draws, you can take a phlebotomy course.

[crawlyberry]

WOW....I am in the same boat. I graduated as an LPN and worked in a clinic for just a year before Katrina hit. I never had the opportunity to strengthen my skills, and now I am going into a bridge program with the same worries. I havent worked since Katrina (taking prereqs) and am very worried about what skills I did have being lost. I am hoping that the bridge program will be a refresher. Good luck!

[luv4nursing]

Originally Posted by TheCommuter

A huge number of nurses do not know how to draw blood. That's what the lab is for.

If you end up working in a hospital or nursing home, the lab technicians usually draw the blood for the nurses.

lol...thats good to know! I was starting to think I was the only person that didnt know how to do such things. I felt like I would go on my first job as an RN and they would look at me like I was from another planet if I said I didnt know how to start an IV or draw blood. I cant really forsee paying more money to take a phlebotomy or emt course, so I hope somewhere down the line I can get trained on them on the job. The tech school where I got my RN used to have blood drawing classes for health professionals and an EKG class that were only a few days long and cheap...but they arent listed anymore. Thx for the input!

[Hospice Nurse LPN]

Originally Posted by TheCommuter
A huge number of nurses do not know how to draw blood. That's what the lab is for.

If you end up working in a hospital or nursing home, the lab technicians usually draw the blood for the nurses.

LOL! I learned to start IV's and was certified, but it's rarely done in hospice and today I don't think I could hit the broad side of a barn!!!