New job, IV issues

Neats, BSN · May 16, 2017

Practice, Practice, Practice. Volunteer anytime you have a chance to insert a line. I once followed a tech that draws blood in skilled nursing facilities for 2 days and was able to draw blood on over 15 patients-this was on my 2 days off ( I know this is not IV but does get you practice at inserting needles and really does help with IV's.) I also volunteered in our hospital ambulatory clinic where they did infusions on Thursday for Rheumatology medication and worked in the correctional setting. For 6 weeks every Thursday I was there ready to gain experience in the Rheumatology clinic. For what it is worth the Skilled Nursing facility is where I learned how to draw and insert IV's the best that and the correction setting these people have such hard veins with multiple skin issues. The patients that have past history of drug use were a challenge and they would tell you where to stick them. Again just step up and do it (per the permission of the patient). Before you know it you will be so competent you will have other nurses come to you for help.

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · May 16, 2017

Right out of school, I was hired for an inpatient mental health unit. In four years, I started probably 5-6 IVs - not nearly enough to get good at it. I later wound up working in a rehabilitation hospital where there were quite a few starts, PICC lines, jugular catheters and such. I figured that I had two choices: Impose on coworkers to do all of that for me, or dive in and improve my own skills. I chose the latter path, and I was pretty decent at it by the time that I left.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · May 17, 2017

IV's are probably one of my favorite skills to do. It's very hard to teach online in a forum. You're better youtubing tips and tricks as far as an online visual aide. But it's going to come down to practice. It's a sill that takes time to perfect. You can watch and learn with your co-workers but being the area you're in you'll just keep getting better and be CONFIDENT! Go in with the mindset that you're going to get it instead of the mindset that you're going to fail.

kp2016 · May 18, 2017

I was awful at starting IVs when I started my first job. I am now the go to person for difficult sticks. Do every IV you can, never try more than twice and when you do have to call some one else watch their technique to help improve yours. Don't worry with 4-6 a day you will improve!

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · May 23, 2017

IV's are not my favorite thing. But the old tips might help: adequate lighting, be comfortable when you are doing a start - sit down or whatever helps you be comfortable.

Isn't there ultrasound to help locate the veins? Actually visualizes them for you?

Have a syringe ready - maybe even connected to the IV catheter - with a little saline in it to flush the line and actually push the line in a little more.

Heat the site a little with a warm cloth. Don't burn anyone.

Have the arm hang down for a few moments to get better venous filling before you poke.

Best wishes.

Checkers08, BSN, MSN, RN · May 26, 2017

Stick as much as you can! When I first started, my issue was more of coordination than finding the veins. I could never get the catheter to thread the way it was supposed to.

I recently came across this when planning for a skills fair:

How to Practice I.V. Insertions - Pedagogy

We had a few people who were not used to our particular IV catheters, so it helped them get accustomed to our supplies without having to stick anyone.

mariaconcetta · Jun 30, 2017

i also had a hard time learning to put in IV's. Look at my post : hand IV trouble (June 22). I received several helpful tips that I have been implementing with success.I always say putting in IV's is much harder than it looks. Be patient with yourself, it will come with time and practice!

Columnist · Jul 11, 2017

Moved to General Nursing.

Caffeine_IV · Jul 11, 2017

Keep doing them. Practice, practice, practice. When one of the good stickers does an IV, watch them and note their technique.