I have an embarassing confession to make. I've been in the NICU, student and RN, since March of 06. In that time, I have successfully started ONE IV. One. Now, I'm really good at venipuncture. Good enough that I help out other nurses when they can't get their labs. But I have some kind of psychomotor disconnect when it comes to advancing the catheter and flushing. It's truly pathetic. I know that it's hard to say what I'm doing wrong when you haven't seen me do it, but does anyone have tips? I just can't advance that d(&* catheter properly! It bends, it kinks, and if by some miracle I get it in all the way, it's gone straight through the vein and it blows, or it just won't flush.
Don't worry, I've been in NICU for almost 18 years and IV's are not my thing. i can do an art stick fairly easily for labs, but i have trouble with coordinating IVs with advancing, etc. too. If I look at a baby and can tell i couldn't get the IV, I will get the "Expert" nurse to do it...I've had nurses be shocked that I won't do an IV if I KNOW I won't get it...why hurt the baby more than is necessary? It doesn't help when the IV caths are changed frequently on the unit...always a new one to get used to! I always have another nurse helping me, or I help the other nurse because IMO it is not a one-person job.
Some nurses use the vein viewers to help with starting the IV.
I don't have much advice, but to just keep trying and get advice from the "experts" in your unit.
I agree with you.
I have been in my new NICU for only three months and I attemped one IV and it blew.
I was very concerned about this but my manager said we are getting much better at getting PICC lines in, earlier, therefore, negating the need for a bunch of IV's unless that kid is going to need blood or frequent ABG's.
BabyLady, BSN, RN
2,300 Posts
I agree with you.
I have been in my new NICU for only three months and I attemped one IV and it blew.
I was very concerned about this but my manager said we are getting much better at getting PICC lines in, earlier, therefore, negating the need for a bunch of IV's unless that kid is going to need blood or frequent ABG's.