Trouble with starting IV's

[Katniss88]

I am in fourth semester and have had six attempts to start an IV, but I have yet to successfully start one. My first attempt was the only time I have come close, I got flashback so I was in the vein, but the catheter wouldn't advance, my instructor even tried to push the catheter in the vein and it wouldn't go. It was my first try so I didn't think much of it and I was really excited about it and couldn't wait for another attempt. But each attempt I get I find myself getting more and more disappointed in myself. This semester I had two attempts with one instructor and then I got two attempts with another. When I got a second attempt with each of those instructors and when I was unsuccessful I couldn't help but feel like I was letting them down, like you let me try a second time and I still can't get it. The last time the instructor even suggested practicing on the practice arms like we did learning the skill. I just don't feel that would help because they are nothing like a human arm. I don't need remediation because I know the skill, but I just can't get the needle in the vein. Each time, I get the needle next to the vein but when I try to stick the vein it moves away from the needle. I am probably the only student in my class that has had this many opportunities, but I still can't get it. I am so frustrated with myself.

[metal_m0nk, BSN, RN]

Starting IV's is one of those skills that takes time and opportunity to learn. If you are already ahead of your classmates in terms of opportunities, then you are well ahead of the game. Better to have these small failures while you're a student - before you're on your own on the floor with no one to guide or advise you. Keep at it. You'll get it.

[NICU:)]

We had a nurse manager from a Medical-Oncology floor come talk to us once. She said "when hiring, I have to tell students that IV starts are not going to get you a job. I can teach you how to start an IV, it really is not that important." So keep that in mind! This is not a life-or-death situation. With that being said, I have my IV clinical on Friday. I have yet to have an IV experience, but I promised myself I would not be disappointed if it did not work out for me the first time!

[kaydensmom01]

I am a third semester student and I just had my first attempt on Monday. I missed the vein also, but I am not worried about it. As the other poster had said, IV starts are a skill. They will come with practice. I know alot of people that had never even attempted an IV in nursing school, it is actually common. Around here it is considered on the job training because it is a skill, its not something like correlating labs with medications and with patient conditions. Don't beat yourself up because you will get it eventually:)

[IVRUS, BSN, RN]

We had a nurse manager from a Medical-Oncology floor come talk to us once. She said "when hiring, I have to tell students that IV starts are not going to get you a job. I can teach you how to start an IV, it really is not that important." So keep that in mind! This is not a life-or-death situation. With that being said, I have my IV clinical on Friday. I have yet to have an IV experience, but I promised myself I would not be disappointed if it did not work out for me the first time!

This nurse manager is WRONG!. IV placement is a BIG deal, especially with an immunosuppressed person getting chemo. Getting a catheter in someone is NOT just a matter of "sticking that person."

She, or He has much to learn!

[NICU:)]

She's not saying its not a big deal. But you can teach anyone off the street to put in an IV. I mean look at phlebotomists. My mom is one and loves her job. But she also has no college degree to do so. It's a skill that is learned. Not necessary to graduate from school.

[IVRUS, BSN, RN]

You can teach someone off of the street to put an NG down, but would you want them doing it to you? Knowing the why's and why-nots of a procedure results in better outcomes. Nurses who seek to become IV certified have a variety of education bullet points provided to them depending on the state you live in. However, you have an RN or IV certified LPN who has taken a COMPREHENSIVE IV course and he or she will run circles around the average nurse who thinks IV catheter placement is just a "skill". IV therapy is SO much more than just "sticking someone".

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

I think you are taking this ship off course IVRUS.

In a perfect world everyone wants a pro starting IV"s. The reality is that most nurses will need to do this at some point and even after a difficult start for this student it can be a skill that they will learn.

Now, if she needs to have a successful start to pass clinical she has good reason to be concerned. I would ask the instructor if you could try on a fellow student with really good veins to get your confidence up. Can't hurt to ask.

[metal_m0nk, BSN, RN]

You can teach someone off of the street to put an NG down, but would you want them doing it to you? Knowing the why's and why-nots of a procedure results in better outcomes. Nurses who seek to become IV certified have a variety of education bullet points provided to them depending on the state you live in. However, you have an RN or IV certified LPN who has taken a COMPREHENSIVE IV course and he or she will run circles around the average nurse who thinks IV catheter placement is just a "skill". IV therapy is SO much more than just "sticking someone".

If you think nursing students don't learn proper, textbook technique, the importance and maintenance of infection control, contraindications for compromising skin integrity, etc. then you are wrong.

Nurses learn all about the topics surrounding and informed by IV therapies. It's the placement of the needle they don't always get down pat. That IS just a SKILL.

[IVRUS, BSN, RN]

Nope... Not true. I have been an educator for IV therapy for 20 plus years, and can emphatically tell you that you do NOT get what is needed in nursing school. This is true for RN's and LPN's.

You may think that you know the 'real skinny" but you do NOT. Unless you've been taught by a CRNI, or equivalent IV expert nurse, your knowledge needs to be enhanced. I cannot tell you how many nurses attend a course of mine, or my colleques and said, "Wow, I never knew. Why didn't they teach me this in school?" Good question!

[metal_m0nk, BSN, RN]

Nope... Not true. I have been an educator for IV therapy for 20 plus years, and can emphatically tell you that you do NOT get what is needed in nursing school. This is true for RN's and LPN's.

You may think that you know the 'real skinny" but you do NOT. Unless you've been taught by a CRNI, or equivalent IV expert nurse, your knowledge needs to be enhanced. I cannot tell you how many nurses attend a course of mine, or my colleques and said, "Wow, I never knew. Why didn't they teach me this in school?" Good question!

It couldn't possibly be that your particular perspective lends you to bias and over-inflation of the importance of your work, could it? No, not at all....

[IVRUS, BSN, RN]

Wow... Ya think I am overinflating the importance of IV therapy because of my expertise in it??? Do you have the same view of your Infection control practitioners or your wound specialists? Your dismissal of its importance tells me that you might want to come sit in on a class or two!

Just saying... Hospitals are no longer getting paid after a medicare patient in their facility gets a CRBSI. So ya think it isn't a big deal to know what to do or not to do, cuz' I can train Mr. so and so off the street to do this Skill. Hmmm... I hope I don't get admitted under the care of someone who takes this role lightly.