How to learn to start IVs?

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Aug 9, 2015

I agree it is a sill you should learn.

when did you ask to shadow? If it was when you

first started, may be more receptive now.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Aug 10, 2015

You're only going to learn through practice, and you don't have an opportunity now, so don't worry about it. If you move to a facility that doesn't have an IV team, you'll learn. It's that simple.

So many people feel that starting IVs is the epitome of nursing skills. Hogwash. While you should work to increase that skill if your environment requires it, it's not the end-all be-all. Some days I'm the go-to person, and other days I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. So what? It's one skill. Don't sweat it. :)

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 10, 2015

I would second with dudette10 but if you really itching for it, try to get friendly with one of IV team nurses. I bet one of them would like to teach you secrets of the trade

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 10, 2015

Honestly, starting IV lines is a "monkey skill." I say that because it's "just" a psychomotor skill that isn't exclusive to the domain of nursing. There are EMT Basics that are taught and legally authorized to perform this skill. For Paramedics, that's a core skill for them. That isn't the case for RNs though it's within their scope of practice. There are IV certification courses that you might be able to take on your own to learn the basics of starting IV lines. For example, my program did put us through a certification program... but we only had to start a grand total of 6 lines successfully before we could be considered certified. Your employer will decide if they want you to use that skill and if they do, they'll train you or they'll test you to ensure that you meet their standards for that skill.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Aug 10, 2015

Any orientation should include at least one day with the IV team. Approach your manager and your nursing educators again. Be firm that you require this teaching.

Cite your job description, most assuredly it includes IV insertion.

There will be MANY times where you need to start an IV and the IV team is simply not available. Management should appreciate the fact that you are proactive as to your identified learning needs.

Stand tough on this, get the training you and your patients deserve.

ilikesharpthings · Aug 10, 2015

I work in a small hospital with one IV nurse each shift who puts in PICCs and does all central line dressing changes. They are also available to start peripheral IVs if needed. So many nurses just call the IV nurse to do all their starts and it can really cause a delay in care if you're waiting around for an IV nurse who may be in the middle of a sterile procedure. I always do my own IVs unless I've tried twice or if it's a notoriously hard stick on someone with very limited access due to a dialysis fistula or something like that. I also offer to start IVs for my coworkers if they were just planning to call the IV nurse. I've heard of scenarios where IV antibiotics were very late or a CT was delayed because the floor nurse lacked the skills to do a pretty simple nursing task due to relying solely on the IV team.

I think that depending on how available your IV team is, it would be worth explaining to your manager that it is an important skill for bedside nurses to have!

RainMom · Aug 10, 2015

You might also see if you can spend a shift in ER or pre-op & start all the IVs that day. Doubtful that not being skilled in IV starts would affect any future positions you might be interested in unless it is for IV therapy directly.

calivianya, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2015

One job I had made us go to the GI lab for a day. You want to talk about a place where people start IVs? That's it - and a lot of time those sorts of procedures are non-emergent and the patients are relatively healthy with good veins, like patients in for a routine colonoscopy.

If you can't shadow the IV team, ask if you can go to your endoscopy unit for a day.

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2015

I must say I cannot imagine not learning IV skills during nursing school. I don't care who calls it a "monkey skill," I start all my own peripheral lines, and usually do not have time to wait for someone else to do it. If I have a patient going south, I fully expect to handle getting a line myself as quickly as possible! You are right to want to learn this. Maybe ask the IV team if one of them will show you how to place peripheral lines, or at least watch them. I have worked in quite a few hospitals, and only one of them had an IV team. Every job I have had as a nurse required IV skills! Even in a major teaching hospital, we were expected to place our own.

SleeepyRN · Aug 10, 2015

I must say I cannot imagine not learning IV skills during nursing school. I don't care who calls it a "monkey skill," I start all my own peripheral lines, and usually do not have time to wait for someone else to do it. If I have a patient going south, I fully expect to handle getting a line myself as quickly as possible! You are right to want to learn this. Maybe ask the IV team if one of them will show you how to place peripheral lines, or at least watch them. I have worked in quite a few hospitals, and only one of them had an IV team. Every job I have had as a nurse required IV skills! Even in a major teaching hospital, we were expected to place our own.

Sooo many nursing programs do not truly learn how to start IVs. In my program we had a dummy arm with the vein SO easy to see and palpate, that we spent literally 1 hour practicing it. There was only one arm for a group of 6. So I only got to stick the ridiculously easy dummy arm once.

brownbook · Aug 11, 2015

A looooong time ago I took an IV class....I don't remember who offered it. It was certified, accredited, nursing CEU, etc. It couldn't hurt to look on-line to see if anything like that is offered anywhere.