How many IVs....

I don't think you should worry too much. Most nursing schools do not even teach IV insertion. You learn that on the job once you are an LPN/RN. Crazy, I think, as I would think that would be a skill learned in school, but it has never been that way around here, anyway.

I'm finishing up the first of five terms in a BSN program and we learned IVs and blood draws two weeks ago. My instructor told us that while we will probably get to do several blood draws during the course of the program, our chances of actually starting an IV are pretty slim. For now, we just have to be happy sticking the fake arms in lab!

Don't stress about it! I was a nervous wreck when I gave my first IM, but now it's no big deal. I'm sure I'll be the same when I do my first real IV and blood draw, but eventually it will just become like second nature.

Good luck!

Our school has an optional class you can take to learn venipuncture. I'm seriously thinking of taking that just for the heck of it so that I can have practice & the know-how before I have to do it on the job.

Our first semester of clinicals (second semester sophomore year) everyone had to at least TRY to insert an IV in a real human being at some point! I was unsuccessful and felt awful- put that needle right through the little lady's vein! I think it was about half and half of those who had a successful versus unsuccessful IV attempt. IVs still scare me!

I am in my last semester of school before I become an RN. We were able to practice on another student for our skills lab. I was too afraid and didn't. However, I finally did my first IV, and am so glad I did. :) I did it on a pregnant woman and am grateful for the oppurtunity. Pregnant women are so full of blood and fluids it was an easy stick. Your confidence will improve greatly after that first stick. Take all the chances you can get to do whatever they'll let you do, or you'll regret it!

Hope this helps!

Our last semester we had to start Iv's on one another in lab..and it was terrifying! But it was a really good experience...nurses were then more likely to let us "attempt" while we were in clinical.

When I graduated, I was the only new grad in my program who had any experience at all...skimpy as it was!

Plus, patients are much more tolerant of students "practicing" than "real" nurses!! Soak up all the experience you can!

We are encouraged to do as many IV starts as possible. The ER has been the only place where I've had the opportunity. We practiced on fake arms but they just are the same.

I have heard that some schools don't allow IV starts and I am wondering the rationale behind it. Does anyone know?

None of the schools around here allow students to start IV's in clinicals, and in addition to that, the hospitals dont allow the students to do that either. When I was a student I thought it was a huge deal that I would walk into a job and not be able to start an IV, but if you really think about it, its nothing more than a skill. Many facilities let CNA's or lab techs to start them. With practice you will learn how to do it too. The schools are more interested in teaching you about the rationale of IV therapy and how the different fluids are used, than spending all the time on how to do something that you will learn out there in the real world.

Originally posted by sbic56

I don't think you should worry too much. Most nursing schools do not even teach IV insertion. You learn that on the job once you are an LPN/RN. Crazy, I think, as I would think that would be a skill learned in school, but it has never been that way around here, anyway.

really? we had to do MANY prior to graduating...and so did ALL the nursing students where I went to school, so your assertion is wrong. and if you don't, then where do you expect to learn?????

ya don't get much experience on fake arms, it's the 'real mc coy" you need.

We had to do one check-off on a fake arm. Beyond that, it's just whenever the opportunity arises. I missed my first one, but since then have gotten most of the ones I have attempted. I still don't try the "difficult sticks". If I can't see a half decent vein, I'm not poking.

Oh you guys are just awsome! I will be able to get some sleep tonight as I have been lying in bed imagining veins and pokes! I feel so much better. Now I know I can concentrate on my studies more and not worry so much about the dreaded IV. Thanks again!!!:roll :roll :roll

Originally posted by SmilingBluEyes

really? we had to do MANY prior to graduating...and so did ALL the nursing students where I went to school, so your assertion is wrong. and if you don't, then where do you expect to learn?????

ya don't get much experience on fake arms, it's the 'real mc coy" you need.

No, SBE, I'm not wrong in that it is not part of the nursing skills taught here and I did indicate that in my post. Also, I see that many students here are in programs something like mine was in that they have to learn the skill otj, too. But, I won't say you are wrong, though you would be here.