Failed IV attempt

Take your time, do some vein shopping. Insert the needle at a 45 degree angle or less depending on how deep the vein is and once you get a flash remember to flatten the cather and insert it a tiny bit more before taking the needle out. Hope this helps

Swtooth

wow- 3 tries? we are allowed one, then have to hand it back to the nurse. no sense making the pt into an expiremental pin cushion.

This was your first IV..? there will be plenty more and I personally dont know a soul who is 100 percent for IV starts until they get some time under their belt

skills take time, otherwise they wouldnt be called skills :)

This was at my job. I tried twice, then asked the pt if he wanted me to try once more or forget it. He is the one who let me do it again. I even had the doctor in with me. I got a flashback and tried to " float" the rest of the catheter in, but it infiltrated. I have been a CMA for 15 years and done TONS of venipuncture- even worked in a lab. I thought I'd have a better chance since I know how to find a vein. Threading it is a completrely different skill.

I've missed my share of IV's. There was one day where I couldn't get a single stick. These patients' vasculature is shot and it can be really hard. But I wouldn't feel too bad about it. I've seen a lot of veteran RN's miss IV's also and they usually called someone else in to do it.

:typing

Idea is once you get flash advance just a smidgen then advance the catheter all the way in. Don't try to float on your first go. Floating isn't 'supposed' to be done. Not sure why, but I do it all the time. But floating is yet again a SKILL you acquire. Good luck next time!

Jen

during your nursing career you will miss MANY iv's. don't sweat it. it happens. even the best iv starters miss. there are some patients that just have crappy veins and it usually takes 2 times to get them. i used to worry about it too, but i don't any more and i consider myself pretty good when it comes to iv starts. i also was a medical asst. before and could draw blood on anyone but iv's are totally different.

skills take time, otherwise they wouldnt be called skills :)

:yeahthat:

On the older folks if I can see a vein, I do without the tourniquet. You don't need a vein to pop up in order to get in it, you just need to see it. I usually go for the anterior aspect of the forearm where the veins don't pop up, but they're more stable and can be seen. A tourniquet will blow the vein, try doing it without one.

Take it from someone who tends to be hard on themselves. Give yourself grace! And keep practicing and every opportunity you can. Best of luck.