Giving versus taking...lol

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Specializes in CCU, Geriatrics, Critical Care, Tele.

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Okay, we all know how easy it is start an IV, give an injection or perform some other type of procedure on a patient. However, what happens when WE are the patient? Are we the brave patient who grins and bears it. Or are we the pt that screams when you even discuss what is about to take place? What do you do?

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

I'm ok with foleys (I go to my happy place) but if anyone ever wants to place an NG, they will have to first chase me around the bed.

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Specializes in EDUCATION;HOMECARE;MATERNAL-CHILD; PSYCH.

I love giving any type of injections, but I hate getting them. Last flu season, I cried like a baby when I received the flu shot. I was sobbing before and after the injection!!!:sarcastic:

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Specializes in pediatrics; PICU; NICU.

I have such awful veins, I usually ask my doctor if we can just use his veins for my lab tests!

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

Not everyone finds it 'easy' to insert an IV! You could have a vein big as a garden hose and I would still not be able to get any form of IV needle into it right! I tried for many years to get the hang of it, and finally gave up and admitted I am totally abysmal at it! I can stand on my head, be blindfolded and have one hand tied behind my back and I can insert a catheter into a fat lady who wiggles around, but start an IV or draw blood? Nuh-uh! If you have a '"three-sticks-then-call-someone-else-to-do-it'"rule, you'd be better off just calling someone else to start with. Humble apologies to ALL who have ever suffered at my hands in that way.

Having said that, when I was a patient in my own place of employment (years ago) three different nurses tried at least seven times each to insert a butterfly in me prior to a procedure. I suffered in silence, figuring it was penance for my sins of ineptitude.They finally had to call the anesthesiologist in, who popped that sucker in with skill and artistry, and a sneer for the nurses. I knew I also deserved that sneer, even though this time I was on the receiving end of the hunt for a cooperative vein.

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Specializes in pediatrics; PICU; NICU.

I used to be one of the people others came to when they couldn't get an IV. I've been out of hospital nursing for over 7 years now so I doubt I could even get a vein in "the arm" we used in school!

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.
I used to be one of the people others came to when they couldn't get an IV. I've been out of hospital nursing for over 7 years now so I doubt I could even get a vein in "the arm" we used in school!

It hurt my ego to be so BAD at it! I used to envy folks like you! You could probably still get any vein first time, even now!

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I used to be great at IVs, but it took me years to perfect my techniques. Now that I've been out of acute care for almost a decade, I don't think I could do it like I used to, although I took an IV class last fall and got the practice IV in the rubber arm on the first try. It's not the same as doing it on a live patient though.

On the receiving end of things, I'm very patient with the nurses and doctors who are taking care of me even if the procedure is uncomfortable. (I HATE mini-cath UAs though.) The one exception was the time a respiratory therapist was trying to get ABGs on me and approached me a fourth time for the arterial stick, and I told her to get someone who knew what they were doing. Those things HURT.

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

I had many people tell me not to be 'scared' and volunteering to teach me, because it was 'easy'. After about the sixth time of going through that in the same number of years, I finally got exasperated and said, "I'm NOT 'scared" of doing sticks, what I am is REALLY BAD at it.!" :yes: Ya gotta know your limits!

But, P.S., I've been told time and again that I do give a painless injection. I've had to give myself shots under certain circumstances, and I must say, I'm not too shabby. It's all in the wrist action!:)

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

I have a strict mantra when it comes to needles...'tis better to give than receive!

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Specializes in Surgical/MS/Oncology/Telemetry/OBGYN.

GOD knows I try my best to be a good patient when it's my turn but I have to agree, GOD forbid, but I promise they gonna have to knock me OUT to place an NG tube!!

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.
GOD knows I try my best to be a good patient when it's my turn but I have to agree, GOD forbid, but I promise they gonna have to knock me OUT to place an NG tube!!

ABSOLUTELY AGREE!!!!!!!

And give me a mirror, I will cath myself, if you please!

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