Have you ever fainted while starting an IV?

SL2014 · Jan 2, 2014

I had a friend who I went to school with who didn't pass out while placing an IV but shortly after.

That being said, whether or not someone else has passed out from placing an IV is irrelevant... They are not you

But... I did see people faint through nursing school for various reasons, OR procedures, poop, general fatigue lol. What I can tell you is that they are all nurses now and don't faint.

So... I'd think that if you do happen to faint, it won't be every time. Eventually it will wear off :) Good luck.

RunBabyRN · Jan 4, 2014

Haven't seen it yet. I've only seen patients who faint anytime they have a needle going in them (thankfully they'll generally tell you first!). Never seen a caregiver pass out.

I HAVE, however, seen students pass out in the cadaver lab. If you haven't taken anatomy, and you have a cadaver lab, you may see that.

But no, not on IVs. Try not to stress so much. Everyone is SOOOO fixated on IVs going into nursing school, like it's a major turning point, but really, it's just another skill. Keep calm, breathe, and just go with it. You'll be fine. :)

Stella_Blue · Jan 4, 2014

During my OB round a guy in my class fainted while watching a circumcision. He was even admitted to the ER afterwards!

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Jan 4, 2014

I haven't even come close to fainting while giving injections or starting IV lines (the last one I did was a few years ago). That included the time I was teaching someone how to do it and had to essentially start the line on myself because he was going too slow through the skin or during my initial training when my partner got the catheter in quite easily but forgot to tamponade the vein or release the tourniquet before he connected the IV line. My arm was one very red, sticky mess...

But that's the thing... YOU are the only one that will be able to answer your own question about whether or not you'll faint when giving injections or starting IV lines. I'm not you, and therefore my own experiences will not reflect at all upon how you will react to doing these things. Chances are good that you'll end up giving a fair number of injections throughout your nursing career, even as a student, and while you may only start a few IV lines as a nurse, you'll still at least know the basics of how to do it. Honestly, it's really but a monkey skill that nearly anyone can learn how to do. The real trick is knowing why and if it's truly needed, and more importantly, when it's not indicated.

kp1987 · Jan 4, 2014

Hahaha I had a friend watch a PICC line get put in and walk out and faint in my arms! It was pretty scary but funny at the same!