Feeling really discouraged... Why do I suck so bad at IVs

[francoml]

So I suck at IVs. I am only hitting like 20% of the one I try... I hit the vein every time but blow it soon after... I am about to graduate and got a job in a level one trauma center and I can't even start a %^$&*#$ IV!!!!!!!

[Luckyyou, BSN, RN]

I've been a nurse for 2 years. I won't even say my batting average for IV sticks (although I find them easier in the NICU now). Nobody will expect you to be good at IVs when you come out of school (or even competent, really). Worry about something else! It will be fine.

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

Question, after you get flash back do you advance the needle just a bit further?? The reason I ask is because many times, the needle is just barley in the vein at that point and the student or new nurses tries to advance the cath with the cath just outside the vein. Next time, when you get flash back, advance the needle a bit farther then advance the cath...

Also check the angle at which you are attempting to go in, it should be parallel to the skin like a plane landing..

Don't go to fast, you could be getting flash back and then going through the vein and not in it..

Keep at you, you will get it :)

[FeliciaPerdew]

At least you are getting the practice. We are not allowed to start or practice any IVs until after we graduate! The hospitals around offer a 1 week class for new grads on how to start IVs. I think it's one of the craziest things.

[PirateArrrNnnn]

Try watching the education videos for med supply companies. I watched the BD.com videos and they had really good animations on how the angiocath goes in and what it looks like in the vein. By seeing the cross section animation, you may get an idea on how the physics work with the angio cath. I also watched videos by 3m for how to dress an IV. Look at the priducts you used in lab and google the companies for videos.