NY nursing students can't start IV's?

U.S.A. New York

Published

I don't know anyone else in nursing school in NY state other than people at my own school. We were told that we're not allowed to start IVs at clinical because of a state law. Is that true for other nursing students in NY? Thanks! ~Jane

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We don't start IV lines at my school either - we don't even learn how. When I was an extern over the summer, the health system couldn't allow us to learn any type of phlebotomy. They said it's because students aren't licensed and the liability issues. Everyone I've spoken to says that you learn how to start a line or draw blood once you're hired in a hospital unless you're lucky enough to already know from a previous job.

Oh and I'm in NY too - Long Island

Up Vote Up Vote ×

are you talking about hanging the first bag? or actually setting up your sight (hep-lock/prn-lock)?? i believe, and i could be mistaken, that you can't hang the first bag of iv fluids but you can hang the bags to follow with your instructor present until she/he feels that you can do it on your own. as far as the venipuncture is concerned as long as your instructor approves it you can start that. i am new at this so i could be wrong! good luck!!!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm in Brooklyn, NY, and we will not be starting IV's either. I've been told by friends who graduated that it is something that you learn on the job once hired. I plan on taking a phlebotomy course anyway, just so I don't feel completely lost when I start working!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I went to school upstate NY and we WERE allowed to start IVs in clinical. My clinical instructor made us first start one on her before we were able to start one on our patients.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm in western upstate NY and although I'm not in the program yet, a program advisor told me we will start IVs but not push meds

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm in western upstate NY and although I'm not in the program yet, a program advisor told me we will start IVs but not push meds

Are you going to Alfred State...that's where I graduated from!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Are you going to Alfred State...that's where I graduated from!

No, I'm going to Jamestown Community College actually :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
No, I'm going to Jamestown Community College actually :)

Oh ok...did clinical at Olean and met some really cool JCC nursing students. From what I've been told, it's a fabulous school. Good luck when you start! :yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Interesting responses....rather inconsistent, which leads me to question whether there actually is a law or not. I've tried searching legitimate information on state policies about IVs/venipuncture and have not found anything useful. It's probably a common misconception among nursing schools in NY. Thanks for the input :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Whatever advisor you spoke to at JCC is incorrect. I graduated from there last year and you DO push meds in NY hospitals but you do NOT start IV's. If you do clinicals in PA hospitals (Hamot, St. Vincents etc) they do not let you push meds there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I go to school in corning, ny and we DO start IVs and do IV push meds!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment