How do you learn to give injections?

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2007

We were given lecture in lab and shown how to draw meds first. We were all given a vial and a syringe to handle and practice with. Then we were lectured and shown giving the injection on rubber dummies (thigh, butt, deltoid, and a forearm for the ID injections). We then did a repeat dem for the instuctor and checked off.

we were then allowed to do injections in the clinicals. I got checked off a few weeks ago on a Tuesday and the next day we were in clinicals giving insulin. Not too long after, we were given the greatest opportunity that thappened to fall at the right time..flu vaccine season!! Me and my fellow clinical classmates gave the ENTIRE LTC facility their flu shots... Talk about being nerve wracking! But I can tell you with that many IM injections to do in a course of a couple of days, I felt like an expert on the last day. It was the best educational opportunity!

beth66335, BSN, RN · Nov 11, 2007

We practice on dummy "parts" too. We learn injections with reg. syringes and TB and Insulin syringes. The forearm we practiced IDs on had so many pokes we couldn't get a bleb!LOL!We had a lab checkoff giving a IM into the Vastus Lateralis muscle on a dummy it was great! We also had to practice drawing up a mixed syringe of regular and cloudy insulin.

MrsHarrison0526 · Nov 12, 2007

we practiced on the injection pads also.. which to me do little justice... i was dx'ed with type 1 diabetes when i was 15.. and they made me stick an orange... i stuck it so much it got bloated and seeped fluid.. that didn't help much but i sure know how to do my finger sticks and sub q... i offered anyone that was unsure about subq to do an insulin one on me... no takers... hmmm... i think that we should get to stick each other.. they used to do it at our school but stopped... some people get out of school without giving an IM shot.. not many... but i know for a fact most get out with givin a TB shot... but as they say... nursing school only gets u the basics... u learn the most once u get out...

APBT mom, LPN, RN · Nov 12, 2007

We had dummy parts and gave two injections in them in front of the instructor to make sure that we had the concept right and then we went to town on each other. We were allowed to give as many as we wanted but we were only allowed to have 5 injections a day done to us (2 deltoids, 2 intradermals, 1 sug q). I think giving someone the injection is better than using a dummy so you actually stick someone and know what it feels. Dummy parts do no justice. I can remember three girls went to stick another student and as soon as they did the let go of the syringe. One girl even bent the needle after hitting someones bone.

shannonFNP, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 17, 2008

I think it's appropriate to revive this thead! I'm in my second semester and we did sub Q's and IMs this past week with IV's starting on Tuesday. We've been practicing on injection pads and oranges... but it's just the same! I want to know what it actually feels like... I'm thinking of practicing with some NS and my boyfriend But seriously... I want practice!