Giving flu shot to instructors...

caliotter3 · Sep 25, 2010

I was once at a public flu clinic site and about passed out when the director of the nursing program I had been in years previously showed up in line along with her husband. She had been a total ***** toward me (threatening me on the phone). I looked right at her, spoke to her, and gave the vaccination and thought to myself, "What you don't know". She seemed to have no idea who I was. Yes, it can happen!

CuriousMe · Sep 25, 2010

I signed up as a nurse for a flu clinic agency. I'm doing a couple of clinics at the community college where I graduated nursing school from. The nursing program is hosting it. I'm super nervous at the idea of possibly having to administer the injection to my previous and future ( I'm going back for RN in jan 2011) nursing instructors. :eek:Hope they are not focusing on my technique really closely. I have given plenty of injections and feels as though I do very well and competent but this is alittle nerve wrecking. At my CC the instructor are stress to aspirate for IM injections however the CDC says there is no need to, and I normally don't aspirate for flu IMs. I don't know. Maybe I'm just over thinking this. lol

Actually, in our first term of nursing school we did give flu shots to our instructors. It was nerve-wracking stuff!

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2010

Interesting what people stress over. That wouldn't bother me a bit.i

himilayaneyes · Sep 25, 2010

This really isn't a big deal. You might be glad that you get to poke your profs in the future after taking tests with them.

mamaluna · Sep 25, 2010

You don't have to aspirate...good job looking it up, you'll be fine.

AprilRNurse · Sep 25, 2010

Take a deep breathe and don't stress. You know what you're talking about- if they question it...just tell them the new CDC guidelines say it's not necessary. Honestly- I think it's best- you can give a quicker injection without aspirating- and that's a good thing!

Injections are minor- and over with quickly. I doubt they're concerned about it at all. We had a new grad orienting on the floor the other day- and we asked her to give our flu shots. First- to give her practice...and then- she told us how many she'd given in school- we realized she had more experience than us! We rarely give IM injections.

Question though- where do they teach you to give flu vaccine? She did a great job doing mine- but I had to educate her on where to give it. Then it was quick and overwith- but when she did flu clinic- they had her doing them where we give insulin (sub q back of arm)

sibilo · Sep 26, 2010

I hate treating medical professionals! but I muddle through. If you work fast enough maybe you can go to lunch early. thanks. pat.

April, RN, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2010

I think most people look away when getting an injection. I know I do... I hate shots! If you do end up having to give a flu shot to an instructor, I doubt they're going to be watching and analyzing your technique. And if they do, just educate them on the new CDC guidelines. :)

JacknSweetpea · Sep 26, 2010

Use the longest needle you can find!!!:cheers:

April, RN, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2010

Use the longest needle you can find!!!:cheers:

:lol2:

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2010

If the instructor taught you how to give the IM then perhaps...

You could miss the injection site, hit a nerve, damage her arm for life, and then sue her for "failure to train" and the emotional trauma that you have now experienced due to the paralysis you inflicted on her arm. I think a good attorney could swing it.