How to Become IV certified.

[Jgun359]

Hello,

I am a certified CNA, wrapping up my first year of nursing school. As is becoming the standard, I am not going to be IV trained during this program (I guess it normally happens as an on the job training now days). I'm looking into becoming IV certified over the summer, but have no idea where one can acquire such certification or what requirements it may have. Any input is helpful! By the way, I live in Minneapolis mn.

Thanks!

Joseph Gundlach

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

Wow... It is a skill that even a "monkey" can do... I do NOT agree Akulahawk. Starting/Placing an IV catheter is so much more than "just sticking someone!"

Not being aware of that, may mean that that important education hasn't come your way yet...

P.S. I hope you get it soon!

The figure of speech involving monkeys learning things is used to indicate that anyone can learn a skill given the proper training and practice opportunities and that you do not need special gifts or talents to learn the skill. In this context, it's meant to reassure an anxious nursing student that they will be able to learn how to insert IVs when the time comes.

But please, share with us what special talents and rare gifts are required to learn to start IVs. I'm sure this student could use some more worry and self-doubt about their ability to learn IV insertion.

[IVRUS, BSN, RN]

I wasn't directing my comment to the student... But to an individual responding to the original post.

As a student, I pray she or he, gets formally trained by an infusion nurse at some point. Just learning the steps is NOT appropriate. And to equate this skill with the learning of a primate, negates the considerations that a professional should be taking into consideration before this is tried. Starting an IV is NOT JUST ABOUT STICKING SOMEONE!

If adequately trained and educated, this student should have the training to perform this procedure without to many issues. Is there a learning curve, Yes.. and to become proficient it is something one must do over and over.

Why the sarcasm?

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

Why the sarcasm?

Because it's a little self important to act like learning IV insertion is so so complicated and because you took a commonly used phrase ultra-literally. Perhaps I'd want people to be intimidated by IV insertion if my specialty hinged upon other's feeling a lack of confidence in IV starts; perhaps then I'd want to make a mountain out of a molehill as well, but it doesn't and I'd rather be honestly reassuring to a student who is clearly anxious about learning this skill (a feeling I remember quite well).

My hospital gave us a half day class covering the theory and allowing practice on dummy arms but what really taught me how to insert IVs was practicing myself and watching other nurses over and over again. It's a physical, tactile skill that is developed through repetition. It is not brain surgery.

[IVRUS, BSN, RN]

The fact that you see Infusion Therapy as just a simplistic skill, and not something that is a specialty, gives me great insight into your thought process. I never replied to this topic to be confrontational, but rather to offer insight into the fact that a healthy concern SHOULD be the norm with IV therapy. This "task" is so much more than just getting in the vein. Self importance, NO... Just a healthy knowledge base which gives me the ability to share my long held expertise with those who've only had "a half of a day" doing IV Therapy.

A commonly held phrase, such as "a monkey" can do, not only is demeaning, but totally inaccurate... If you choose to align yourself with this reasoning, then, yes, we are done discussing it.

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

IVRUS,

I don't think the conversation is about the infusion but rather about the physical insertion of the iv catheter. Your argument makes sense if talking about what goes into the iv, but that's not the case here. We're talking about a mechanical skill that is perfected through repetition. And, yeah, it is a simple stick being discussed.

jmho, ymmv

[IVRUS, BSN, RN]

But that is the problem... It is not the mechanics of the insertion that ONE should be looking at here... IV therapy, what type of catheter, which is the best for the patient and the why's and wherefores are just as much a part of this picture as is the insertion process.

Not knowing that is the reason for this discussion in the first place. RN's and LPN's do NOT get the education they need to produce safe outcomes. So, yes... education is the key here. But sometimes it is hard to see that when all one sees is that "I stuck someone and got in!"

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

IV therapy, what type of catheter, which is the best for the patient and the why's and wherefores are just as much a part of this picture as is the insertion process.

And all this can be covered in less than a half day's lecture. Smallest vein and catheter for the job. Avoid areas of movement. Avoid areas where infiltration can lead to devastating nerve damage. Go in the direction of blood flow. Know your anatomy to find hard to spot veins. Approach at a low angle and smoothly, don't jab back and forth and don't slide the needle in and out of the catheter because there a risk of shearing the catheter. Rest the tip on the skin for a moment before inserting to fatigue pain receptors. Use a fresh catheter for each stick attempt as microfrays result from each jab that cause trauma and venous irritation. Anchor your veins (and limbs in kids!). Look for the flash, lower the angle, advance slightly, then slide the catheter in of the needle. Hold pressure above the catheter while attaching connector tubing/smart site. Secure so IV site is visible for frequent assessment. Give your patient a sticker and scrub the hub before connecting anything.

And then practice, practice practice. When you miss, observe the process of the person who comes in after you to obtain access. Get your fingers used to feeling while wearing gloves. Have the bed, patient, and your body in a comfortable position for YOU to work. Project confidence even when you don't feel it yet. And did I mention practice practice practice?

[drowningdaily]

IVRUS,

Nursing students tend to be anxious about actually placing the IV. The theory is basic. What I sweated was actually getting the dang thing in and hooking it up. Without torturing the patient or feeling that you look incompetent. Hearing that a monkey can do it IS reassuring, not insulting.

[IVRUS, BSN, RN]

Sorry, again, but I disagree... 30 hours of didactic/lecture can cover everything that you need to know, but No competent program will only give you a half day of information.

But hey, we can all agree to disagree....

And again, if one ONLY looks at the MECHANICS of the procedure...Blah, Blah, Blah...

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Sorry, again, but I disagree... 30 hours of didactic/lecture can cover everything that you need to know, but No competent program will only give you a half day of information.

But hey, we can all agree to disagree....

And again, if one ONLY looks at the MECHANICS of the procedure...Blah, Blah, Blah...

Perhaps I'm mistaken, but it looks to me like the OP really IS looking only at the mechanics of the procedure, that is the primary concern. In which case, it really is minimal education, with proficiency earned through practice.

[Racer15, BSN, RN]

But that is the problem... It is not the mechanics of the insertion that ONE should be looking at here... IV therapy, what type of catheter, which is the best for the patient and the why's and wherefores are just as much a part of this picture as is the insertion process.

Not knowing that is the reason for this discussion in the first place. RN's and LPN's do NOT get the education they need to produce safe outcomes. So, yes... education is the key here. But sometimes it is hard to see that when all one sees is that "I stuck someone and got in!"

Sitting in a classroom for days at a time isn't going to do much good. The only way to get truly proficient at IV starts is....to start a whole lot of IVs.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

30 hours of lecture?? Lol, no.