Have a particular skill that constantly stumped you? How did you get over it?

pitaya · Dec 15, 2011

Hello!
I am a new grad nurse who started in the ED in July. I have such trouble with female quick caths and foleys. I have spent a lot of time going through the old threads about tips and tricks, but honestly at this point I feel like I have almost psyched myself out about not being able to do them, which makes it harder. I make a point to attempt as many as possible (although If I am really slammed, I do have my ED techs do them since techs are able to cath at my facility.) Just curious if anyone else had troubles with any particular skill (not just foleys) and how you got over this? I am not asking anyone to reiterate tips and tricks to female foleys, just curious if anyone has insight as to what I can do besides actively seeking out opportunities and practice, practice, practice. Thanks!

Similarly, I haven't been able to get any IV starts since I started working. I got them in nursing school with different teachers instructing me and in different facilities, but now since I've started trying as a graduate nurse, I can't get any!!! What's wrong? I would like to know how to get over this, too. LOL Good luck with your foleys!!!

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2011

even though you didn't ask for it, i wrote such a cool explanation of how to avoid placing a foley intralady partslly....and it's all gone with all the other last-half-of-december posts. but on the off chance that someone will see it and use it, here it is again:

when you do your prep, tuck your last betadine-soaked cotton ball into the introitus, not deep enough that you'll have to dig it out but enough to occlude it. then if your foley drifts southwards, it will only contact sterile cotton ball and betadine, and you won't have to discard it or have a second foley hanging out the lady parts while you try to re-prep and re-attempt. i learned this trick 40+ years ago and never once placed an intralady partsl foley again. you're welcome. :smokin:

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Dec 31, 2011

That's an awesome tip, GrnTea! My unit uses prepackaged disposable trays for Foley insertion that have povidone-saturated swab sticks, but I think it could still work on all but the smallest of our neonates. (And they're not that difficult to find the target on.) I'll have to try your tip the next time I have to put in a Foley and let you know!

Always_Learning, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2012

even though you didn't ask for it, i wrote such a cool explanation of how to avoid placing a foley intralady partslly....and it's all gone with all the other last-half-of-december posts. but on the off chance that someone will see it and use it, here it is again:

when you do your prep, tuck your last betadine-soaked cotton ball into the introitus, not deep enough that you'll have to dig it out but enough to occlude it. then if your foley drifts southwards, it will only contact sterile cotton ball and betadine, and you won't have to discard it or have a second foley hanging out the lady parts while you try to re-prep and re-attempt. i learned this trick 40+ years ago and never once placed an intralady partsl foley again. you're welcome.

wonderful! thanks!

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 7, 2012

i had difficulty with just about every skill . . . and it took me a long time to get it. i was a horrible new grad! tincture of time . . . that an some really wonderful lpns who talked me through starting ivs, ng tubes and foleys. after about a year, i noticed that i was successful more often than not. when my confidence took a boost, so did my skills.