new ED RN needs IV encouragment!

Specialties Emergency

Published

I am in week 2 of my 12-week preceptor orientation to the ED. We had our IV inservice last Wed and then I was scheduled to be out on the floor and of course they threw us right in and had us do sticks. I actually got 2 successfully, albeit one a bit messy (!), on that very same day.

Monday I had a rather discouraging IV day only getting 1 out of 3 IVs. The third even an experience RN could not get after 2 attempts, and we just about got labs. I am still very much getting my technique and rhythm down. One time I think I simply did not advance far in enough before trying to push the hub/catheter in, and of course it would not go!

I am not a stranger to venipuncture although it HAS been a while. I think trying to coordinate the steps - feeling, cleaning, refeeling, advance, etc, etc. I think I need to remember to stay LOW so as to not go through the vein. Would greatly appreciate any tips. Just that one day has knocked me down, and I'm having trouble getting up !

Getting histories, doing assessment although I still feel fumbly with this. Looking forward to when it feels more natural. Doing meds, IMs, IVP and IVPB. Learned how Decadron IV push should go real slow or will give pt the groin/face burn.

Very interesting indeed, but I can see how it is extremely important to have a rather long training/orientation. It can be overwhelming some of the time. Many of the nurses keep telling me that it will come, everyone has days where they are just off, even with 20 yrs experience. I am trying to let that sink in.

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I am in week 2 of my 12-week preceptor orientation to the ED. We had our IV inservice last Wed and then I was scheduled to be out on the floor and of course they threw us right in and had us do sticks. I actually got 2 successfully, albeit one a bit messy (!), on that very same day.

Monday I had a rather discouraging IV day only getting 1 out of 3 IVs. The third even an experience RN could not get after 2 attempts, and we just about got labs. I am still very much getting my technique and rhythm down. One time I think I simply did not advance far in enough before trying to push the hub/catheter in, and of course it would not go!

I am not a stranger to venipuncture although it HAS been a while. I think trying to coordinate the steps - feeling, cleaning, refeeling, advance, etc, etc. I think I need to remember to stay LOW so as to not go through the vein. Would greatly appreciate any tips. Just that one day has knocked me down, and I'm having trouble getting up !

Getting histories, doing assessment although I still feel fumbly with this. Looking forward to when it feels more natural. Doing meds, IMs, IVP and IVPB. Learned how Decadron IV push should go real slow or will give pt the groin/face burn.

Very interesting indeed, but I can see how it is extremely important to have a rather long training/orientation. It can be overwhelming some of the time. Many of the nurses keep telling me that it will come, everyone has days where they are just off, even with 20 yrs experience. I am trying to let that sink in.

If I might inject a suggestion here. On our clinical rotations, I am still in nursing school, we are allowed to find a preceptor in an area we think we'd like to learn in. I picked ER. My preceptor and I will start together in Feb. Her suggestion to me, which I am going to jump on, is that I contact someone from the hospitals IV team and work along side them. These incredible nurses do this day and night and most can do it in their sleep. I would encourage you, if your facility has such a thing, to contact one of these amazing people and ride on their coat sleeves even if for 1 night. They can show us things that will make our jobs and ultimately theirs easier. Good luck and STICK IN THERE!!!!!!!!! pun intended.

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Specializes in Trauma/ED.

You will get better with practice...there are a ton of posts on this website going over IV tips and tricks so I would definitely do a search and read up. Also even experienced nurses have bad IV days--trust me I know from my own experience.

While IV's are a big part of ED nursing, they are not everything so don't get too discouraged and keep on learning!

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Specializes in ER/ICU, CCRN, SRNA (class of 2010).

Stick with it...Novice IV starters remind a lot of baseball players at the plate, they are very streaky...one day they hit everything out of the park and the next they couldn't hit a tee-ball....So, stick with it and you will be expert stick before you know it...One last thing, try and get more IVs if you can, 5-10 a shift would be better.

-Smiley

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Specializes in Neuro Critical Care.

Keep the needle low, stop advancing the needle once you get the blood flash-at this point only advance the catheter. Like everyone else has said, we all have good and bad days. I am the one everyone comes to for IVs and I couldn't stick one to save my life the other night. It is a cycle, give yourself a brake. You will get there!

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Specializes in ER, OB, Med/Surg,.

Practice, practice, practice...that's how you get good at IV's. P.S.- messy ones aren't bad ones, sometimes they are very good ones!

Also, do not pass up the chance to start children and the elderly. Not everyone has big beautiful veins....

Good luck, and remember, starting IV's isn't all there is to ER nursing!!!

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Like an above poster said, there are a lot of threads on this topic and they all have really good advice. Everybody has bad days with IVs...EVERYBODY so don't sweat it. It takes practice and the ability to jump up and try again even if you failed on your first three patients.

My best advice is to be confident. When you are nervous, things go wrong. The patient also senses this and then they get nervous and then that big juicy garden hose in their hand will dissapear. Walk in like you have done it a million times and it helps both you and your patient

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I'm usually the "go-to girl" for IVs in my ED, and I have days where I can't hit the side of a barn. LOL. Unfortunately we don't have an IV team -- we're a freestanding ED, so we're it! It takes time. You'll get there! :)

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