Is this normal

Imafloat, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2005

We learned on a mannequin and also an IV simulator computer program. We are allowed to start them in clinicals with our instructor.

SFCardiacRN · Dec 10, 2005

Is this an RN school? We practiced on rubber arms and each other.

JentheRN05, RN · Dec 10, 2005

Yeah I'd be asking the same thing, is this RN school? Because you SHOULD learn how to start IV's if you are an RN. Heck, even the majority of LPN's I know can start IV's!

RENAISSANCE RN · Dec 10, 2005

we only practice on dummies as well.... I guess they think we will be iv cert by the facility in which we practice

yes it is an RN program.. I thought it was weird too..

NJNursing, ASN, RN · Dec 10, 2005

We'll practice on rubber arms next semester (nursing 4) but we won't actually learn inserting IV's/phlebotomy until after graduation. That is taught by the institutions that we'll get jobs at (at least in my state). For some reason (and I think it's mandated by NJ's BOH) that they cannot actually teach us in lab and then take it to clinicals - we have to be graduates first.

Personally I think it's stupid not to teach us in a real life setting before we graduate. I could have been drawing blood labs all this time and really getting in good practice.

Megs7617 · Dec 10, 2005

we also learn how to start them in my school, but I remember a discussion awhile ago on this board about some schools not teaching how to start IVs...I think some hospitals have you learn it during your preceptorship...so, I dont think that its unheard of that you wont be learning to start IV's

TexasPediRN · Dec 10, 2005

A lot of RN schools dont allow students to pratice IV's, and mine was one of them.

We learned (so to speak) on the dummy arms...but really never got a good review of IV's.

I learned to do my first IV shortly before graduation ( I worked already as a student nurse aide and had great coworkers who taught me and let me use their arms as practice). Its not all that uncommon that you wont be taught how to do IV's in school..

Dont let it discourage you. You'll learn it after graduation!

Maisie · Dec 10, 2005

It is an RN school.

ortess1971 · Dec 10, 2005

We also are not taught how to start IV's-it was explained to us that whatever facility we end up working for will teach us how to do this...I was kind of disappointed. My program is also an RN program.

MrsCannibal · Dec 10, 2005

My school doesn't like to use the rubber arms, but we are not allowed to start IV's on each other for infectious reasons (according to school policy). But during our 2nd semester of clinicals, most instructors begin looking for opportunities to give us hands on experience, and try to let each student start at least one IV. And you are learning on the fly, because we don't have a lab or class on IV's! We do MedSurg for the 1st year of school, and bless her heart, we had an elderly lady who wanted to "help out" the students. The nurse was going to place the IV, and the patient asked if a student could be allowed to start it! Her only request? That she be given her pain med 1st since it "knocked her out"...so, I got to start my 1st IV on a sweet Lil' Old Lady who was all about advancing my education as long as she could sleep through it! This year, during my rotation on L & D, the nurses got bored, and decided we needed to practice IV's, so they had me and another student practice on them! They said it was how they learned in school...I don't think I could ever do that for a student, but I am thankful for their patience and dedication to us!

stressgal, RN · Dec 11, 2005

We learned on a mannequin and also an IV simulator computer program. We are allowed to start them in clinicals with our instructor.

Ditto at my school. Too many liability issues practicing on each other. The computer program is not super about being realistic, but it's better than nothing.