How do you learn to give injections?

amyk_ncsu · Jul 20, 2007

We first practiced in class on the pads with goo in them. They were supposed to feel like the real thing. In clinicals last semester I had to give Lovenox to every patient I had (post-op orthopedic) and it got really easy pretty quickly. Also gave lots of insulin and sometimes morphine. Piece of cake now. :)

AprilRNhere · Jul 21, 2007

We practiced subQ's and intradermals on each other. We used an injection pad for the IM's and a special arm for IV's.

momathoner09, BSN, MSN, APRN · Jul 21, 2007

We practiced on dummies in the lab. But truth be told- the only way to get truly comfortable with giving shots is to give them to actual people! The first semester I was pretty freaked out but now after being almost done w/the 3rd semester, I am an insulin injecting pro!

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Jul 21, 2007

ooh back in the old days in LPN school .. we used a orange.. i named it mrs johnson.. in RN school i didn't need to worry because i have been giving injections for 21 years..

4doghome · Jul 21, 2007

We used injection pads, oranges, and each other. We were able to practice drawing up the medicine. For me that was the hardest part. I have a real hard time getting rid of all the air bubbles. Then we would inject it into the pad or the oranges. When it was time to give each other our subq, it was very scary. But since then I have given 2 or 3 in clinicals and its a peice of cake now. I still have yet to give an IM. Injecting is the easiest part of nursing school.

angle85 · Jul 21, 2007

In regard my school we learn the method in lab then try it on dolls under teacher supervision in ideal steps, after that in other courses we practice injection in hospital with our teacher, and by time take expert.

TRINI_RN · Jul 21, 2007

We practiced on oranges first, then on the manequins, then on eachother with sterile water. We give ALOT in clinical though, mostly SC. I've only given a handful of IM, but lots of SC.

struggling nsg s2dnt · Nov 10, 2007

aw in our school, we literally practice giving the meds on our selves first! :banghead: :cry: :yeah: it's really painful!... I think we're the only med school who practice that stuff's..:smiley_ab

struggling nsg s2dnt · Nov 10, 2007

http://photos-647.friendster.com/e1/photos/74/62/50202647/1_423139078m

sample how painful our return demonstration was!grrr

lin263 · Nov 10, 2007

with sweat pouring down, hands shaking while i drew it up and injected it. i was handed a hand full of syringes and a btl of flu vaccine in a nursing home. some how i got it all done.

hint: dont forget to check where the tip of the needle is in the vial before you draw it up. have all the stuff you need. embarassing not to have the alcohol prep pads. dont forget to put the air in the vial.

what other hints are there?

nicolej1024 · Nov 10, 2007

In my school we had learned the skills in lab and then poked eachother that same day.It was the absolute worst day ever. Anyways we had an awesome instructor in concepts 2 that knew of our experience and arranged for us to do a flu clinic as one of our clinical days.After that I feel so comfortable doing injections before, I was terrified. You really just need practice and thats how you feel comfortable.

Nicole

caliotter3 · Nov 10, 2007

I do not remember injections being covered in skills lab at my school. In one of my clinical rotations, I was told by my clinical instructor to steal needles and syringes from the hospital and to practice at home. (This was one of the instructors who had obvious "problems"). Needless to say, I did not follow this unstable woman's advice. I had awake nightmares about being stopped by the police for a traffic stop, them searching the car, and me getting charged for being in possession of "paraphernalia". This was the defining moment for me concerning my nursing instructor and my nursing program. I never did get any practice with injections while I was in school. I learned on the job.