Am I the only one that's done this?

MunoRN, RN · Jul 14, 2015

Gahhh no. Nuh uh. No. I could see doing an IV, but I feel nauseated just thinking about this one.
I feel for my patients that have to go through it, but not interested in seeing how that one feels.

The IV was actually not nearly as bad as I thought it would be, the NG was far worse than I thought it would be. That turn at the back of the nose feels likes it's digging around in your brain.

AutumnApple · Jul 14, 2015

Not on myself, no.

I've considered it though, and I rejected the idea because: IMO, it's a tainted learning experience doing it on yourself. The angles are totally different and, part of placing IV's and drawing blood is being able to manage the patient. Some are very anxious, and if you can't help them relax, you'll have a hard time performing this skill. You don't get this aspect of the experience doing it on yourself. While I see some value in experiencing it (empathy training), I just felt it wasn't the most ideal way to learn.

I asked my sister if I could practice on her once. Her answer was "Don't turn into ONE OF THOSE students." I didn't ask for clarification.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Jul 14, 2015

I cleaned out our med room once and found 7 IV kits that were expired by several months. No guilt in taking those. I'm a notoriously difficult stick, so I highly doubt I'd be able to start an IV on myself. When I found the expired kits I let a few new nurses try to start one on me, and one was successful with a 22 in the antecubital.

nrsang97, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2015

Nope. I have tried an IV on myself. I was just seeing if I could hit the vein on myself and I did. I did not hook it up to any fluid, but I did get blood return.

AlphaM · Jul 14, 2015

I never have I'm too scared but my husband (EMT) does all the time!

I didn't know IV skills were within the EMT scope of practice, did you mean Paramedic? :)

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2015

How can one draw blood or start an IV on yourself. You need two hands to start an IV on someone else. I can't imagine the issues with starting one on yourself. I couldn't do it anyway because I really hate needles. I hate small intradermal needles for TB tests I hate big long needles used for nerve blocks, and I really hate IVs.[/quote']
Heroin addicts do it.
I've never drawn blood from myself but have thought about doing it so as to not have to sit and wait at the lab. I have a decent left AC and I'm right handed, I'm pretty sure I could do it.

SmilingBluEyes · Jul 14, 2015

Tell your "friend" NO for me. It's not even the same and I don't steal/appropriate equipment anyhow.

Trama_junky · Jul 29, 2015

You did an NG ON YOURSELF???? WHAT??

Trama_junky · Jul 29, 2015

I had to buy the lab bags for class! No stealing involved

Trama_junky · Jul 29, 2015

His bathroom looked like a murder scene

The starter kits we had o get came with a leak guard so the blood doesn't gush out, I can't imagine trying to start an iv in myself without it! Blood would be EVERYWHERE

Guest219794 · Jul 30, 2015

Well, I was going to try to intubate myself, but I kind of have an adverse reaction to paralytics: They make me freeze up.

As far as the IV goes- I haven't but think i could. have considered it when, on two separate occasions, a nurse and an anesthesiologist both missed my ridiculously easy AC. Pretty sure I could.

I did have a bunch of sample IV's left over from an equipment switch my hospital did. (They gave us each a bag to practice, and I didn't need the practice.)

Anyway, I used them to marinate a lean piece of venison I wanted to grill. In case anybody is wondering, Newman's Own will not go through a 22.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2015

I didn't know IV skills were within the EMT scope of practice, did you mean Paramedic? :)

In Connecticut we have thee leveles of EMT.

EMT-B is your basic EMT.

EMT-I is the EMT intermediate and they can do IVs, they go back for additional schooling after them become an EMT-B.

EMT-P is the Paramedic

Both I's and P's can start IVs.