Who is REALLY GOOD with needles?

Furball · Mar 25, 2003

I've had pts scream at a sc injection and others who slept thru an ABG draw (ow!) You won't be able to avoid pain all the time. Practice, practice, practice.

jschut, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2003

It'll just take practice.

But you'll do fine....honest.

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 25, 2003

practice, practice and more practice. Dont' expect you will gain such a skill overnight or that any "tricks" will make you competent. Watch the competency of an experienced nurse, and learn and practice. That is all I can advise. Take EACH and EVERY opportunity to DO these skills while in school to gain confidence. Good luck!

Flynurse · Mar 25, 2003

I always say really fast, "That didn't hurt me a bit!"

IndyGypsyNurse, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2003

Hi, I just wanted to say thankyou for all the advice. I learn alot from this forum and I LOVE IT! I am on here all the time just reading and reading to prepare myself. I noticed a few people suggested that I practice on an orange, but an oranges peel is tough and wouldnt simulate a humans soft, supple flesh. Wouldnt you think that a PEACH might be more representative? Thoughts?

Adria

emily_mom · Mar 25, 2003

Quote

Originally posted by delirium
Um, neither have any of my patients.

You must have a really special injection technique.

Yes, I've heard about your bedside manner....:)

I had to put in an IV on a fellow student (and close friend) as a demonstration to the 3rd semester Skills students. My instructor chose me b/c I had been doing it at my job for quite awhile and my friend as the recipient b/c she was an EMT w/ good veins.

Well, she passed out. Cold. She said, "I don't feel well," so I pulled it out just before she hit the floor. Apparently she had been sick and just got woozy. Boy, did I feel like shyt.

Just because you have done it a lot, people still keel over. We just have the advantage that they are always in bed already...:)

P_RN, ADN, RN · Mar 25, 2003

Wear gloves

Aim and stick

Practice

Practice and all of a sudden you will "get it" and be the nurse everyone comes to for assistance.

Dr. Kate, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2003

Like my Mom before me I have chronically cold hands. I think that helps distract people from what I'm doing.

But really it's a matter of practice, practice and more practice. And some people are just born with a good touch.

Katnip, RN · Mar 25, 2003

Adria, oranges aren't too bad a comparison, but every person's skin thickness and texture is different. The first time I ever injected a person, the needle bounced right off her arm. Thought I'd die, but she didn't notice. I'm not the only person this has happened to, either.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2003

I don't want to Blueyes to think I'm stalking her, but I was going to say practice, practice, practice, and to take every opportunity to do an IV when you graduate or in your clinicals. Your school will teach you the techniques and then you just do it!

I don't think there's anything as a "virtually painfree" experience when you are puncturing someone.

Remember different people react differently. I've seen grown woman cry, shake and shiver BEFORE I even start to inject them. Others, like myself, don't bat an eye. Realize you might be causing pain and continue on.

Good luck in school!

SingingNurse2 · Mar 25, 2003

Keep them talking - you can't have a nice conversation and tense up at the same time.

I worked my way through college as a phlebotomist and it really helps to learn the correct angle of insertion - I worked with a lab tech who would jab it in straight down and then dig around -she was scary! :eek:

hey_nurse · Mar 26, 2003

Quote

Originally posted by PowerPuffGirl
Echo Heron has written a few books about her experience in nursing school and then as a critical care nurse, that are worth a read. Can't think of the titles, but I think they're something like _Intensive Care: Story of a Nurse_ and _Critical Condition: The Story of a Nurse Continues_.

Anyhow, in the first book, there's a hilarious part about the first time she has to administer an IM injection... to a rather precocious child. Definitely pick up a copy of the book to read- it may help!

have read all of her books would highly recommend them