I am a novice NICU nurse and i was wondering if any of you have any tips on starting iv's on the little ones! I know practice is a big help, lol, but are there any tips anyone has inparticluar that i could attempt?
I am just kind of discouraged, and would appreciate any input such as angle, how far away from the vein do you enter, if tourniquets are always necessary,(our staff doesnt seem to like to use them) if one area of the body is easier than another (head easier?) etc.
Any suggestions as to anything else i could practice on? My family, God bless them, let me practice on them, ( )...but now adult veins are too easy! (-like comparing a hair strand to a pencil, lol.) At our hospital we have a "3 pokes per nurse" maximum, i would really love to not have to poke my poor angels more than once!
Thanks for the replies on this thread...many useful tips...especially threading the catheter while withdrawing the needle...I've alrealy started a few more IV's sucessfully be trying that.
)...but now adult veins are too easy! (-like comparing a hair strand to a pencil, lol.) At our hospital we have a "3 pokes per nurse" maximum, i would really love to not have to poke my poor angels more than once!
JVanRN
406 Posts
Thanks for the replies on this thread...many useful tips...especially threading the catheter while withdrawing the needle...I've alrealy started a few more IV's sucessfully be trying that.