NEW GRAD, giving FLU SHOTS for the first time....

KattyRN · Oct 2, 2011

I'm pretty sure you don't HAVE to aspirate. During my first semester of nursing school we held a flu clinic and we definitely didn't aspirate but I guess it depends on how you were taught and the method you use.

Katalina511 · Oct 2, 2011

I've helped at several flu clinics and was taught that there is no need to aspirate. Also, I assume you're not actually injecting 3ml, right? We usually do 0.5ml and 3ml sounds like a lot. If the person is skinny, "pinch" up their biceps muscle to see what you're really working with. If you need to, you can always use the glut. Don't worry, don't freak out- you'll be fine! And you'll feel so confident after the first few.

bloodlikefire · Oct 3, 2011

my first job out of lvn school was prison nursing. there is nothing like flu clinics and tb screening for 6000 inmate in a day to help you get ready for im and id shots. the flu shot is generally 0.5 ml as others have said, make sure to give that amount unless you formula says something different. know you landmarks for the deltoid muscle and make sure to brush up on anaphylaxis, as this is your major likely problem, it's unlikely but bad if it happens.

you do not need to use the whole needle, as other said for skinny/ boney people scope up as much of their arm as you can. if the person is a big fatty like me, use the whole needle. remember to use your critical thinking skills when giving shots and you will be fine.

good luck.

iLOVEbees · Oct 5, 2011

Don't be hesitent when giving the shots. That makes it hurt. Just quickly poke it in and it will hurt less.

Fatter (more common) and muscular (less common) people will need it a little deeper and you might get the needle all the way in to the hub. Scrawny people you just feel to see how much room you have before the bone and just go more superficial than that. Pinching the skin up helps.

I wouldn't aspirate.

Normal flu shot volume is 0.5 ml.

Oh, and people say that nurses aren't taught to Z-track IMs anymore but it's less painful in my opinion so I would Z-track. Obviously, you can't pinch up the skin AND Z-track, but you shouldn't need to pinch up the skin on too many people.

jelly221,RN · Oct 14, 2011

I've helped at several flu clinics and was taught that there is no need to aspirate. Also, I assume you're not actually injecting 3ml, right? We usually do 0.5ml and 3ml sounds like a lot. If the person is skinny, "pinch" up their biceps muscle to see what you're really working with. If you need to, you can always use the glut. Don't worry, don't freak out- you'll be fine! And you'll feel so confident after the first few.

I think you mean pinch their deltoid, not biceps. I volunteer in a clinic and give immunizations all day long when I'm there. I always tell the kiddos (and adults!) to take a deep breath, look the other way, I pinch their deltoid (pretty firmly, and if their arm is tight I ask them to relax and I kinda shake their arm a little to loosen it up), count to three, poke QUICKLY, and then push the plunger in SLOWLY. The medication going in can hurt, especially on a small person and if the fluid is still cold from the fridge. I've never been told by any of the staff that trained me to aspirate (I hope none of my NS instructors are reading this! =O)

Most of the kids I give shots to that way tell me they couldn't even feel it and can't believe it's over. Good, luck, just be confident and you'll be fine (your patients too :yeah: )

Katalina511 · Oct 16, 2011

*yes, I did mean pinch the deltoid! That's what lack of sleep and too much studying will get you!