help!!! where? IV experience!

Good luck. I just finished 3rd semester in an ADN program where we practiced IV's (rubber arm). I never had a chance to start one in Clinical. I contacted hospitals and was told that I could come in and watch but thats it. Insurance doesn't permit touching at all (makes sense). There aren't enough nurse extern positions around so I'm stuck back in the lab and the rubber arm. UGH!! I can only hope that when I begin working, my unit will stick me in day surgery for a few days so I can gain the experience. Good luck

Check out your local community colleges. One here runs an IV start certification course. You have to do a few starts on your classmates before you get the certificate.

My hospital runs an inhouse class where all staff required to do starts must be certified. Lecture for a couple hours, rubber arm pratice, then down to day surgery or diagnostic imaging, three victims, Uhm patients with iv's in their arms and you get the certificate.

Contact your local rescue squads (volunteer ones if you have them) Im sure there are some EMTs and Medics that will be willing to let you practice one them... They understand, and have been in your shoes.....

Chevyv,

Make sure your instructor next semester is aware that you have not had experience with IV's. Most hospitals expect RN's to have that skill (as well as blood draws) when they are hired. They generally do not expect to have to teach you this. If you still have an OB or ER rotation, you could get all the practice you need since most everyone gets labs drawn and at least a helpock.