I always take help for inserting IV

[newsupernurse]

I am a new RN and love my job but whenever there is requirement of putting new IV on patient, I take help as I sometime am confident and some time really loose it. I fear that the plastic cover over needle might come off or I will blow patient's vein. How can I OVERCOME THIS ???????????

[GM2RN]

Practice practice practice. Heck, practice on your friends if you have to (and if they are so willing ). That's what I did and I love starting IVs now. I'm a newbie on my floor, but even the experienced nurses come to me to start their IVs now. And you will blow veins. It's inevitable. Actually, I tend to more often blow the veins that look like they will be very easy sticks. Slippery little things they are

I wouldn't actually practice on your friends. Your hospital probably has a policy against it for liability reasons.

[JulieCVICURN, BSN, RN]

It's true, what everyone is saying. Just do it. Every time there's an opportunity, volunteer. If you have to, ask people to let you know when they think they have an easy stick - a few successes will really boost your confidence. Believe me, if you practice enough there will come a time when you, like me, can go in blind and hit the right spot just by feeling for the difference under the skin. And even though I'm very good at IV's, I blow veins as much as the next guy. Sometimes you miss - it's just the way it is.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

The best advice I can give you is learn from an expert...do you have an IV team...if so ask to go with them for a day or 2...no IV team do you have a pre surg center.........if so ask to go there. I can not tell you how many nurses I have taken with me over the past 27 yrs to train...but its a lot....I show them a few key things and expalin a few things and they are putting IVs in by the end of the shift if they listen...so go get with one of those nurses...its a valubale skill one that will serve you and your pts well....I was never hesitant...i always said..let me have the catheter I will do it.....BUT I really got good when I had the IV nurses show me the ropes

[pielęgniarka, RN]

I got an IV in yesterday, my first one successfully on the first try! Today the site still looks great. It was only a minimally bloody massacre because I used the advice to put some gauze 2x2's in place. Ya-hoooooooooooooooo! A little more confidence and a little luck really helped me out.

I can draw blood for labwork just fine. Because I like the antecubital area and it's easy. When it comes to starting IV's... in the mid arm region... I SUCK! If I can even get that flashback after I withdraw the needle then I usually panic because I'm trying to put pressure to collapse the vein to control the bloody mess that follows while trying to hook up the tubing & flush! I can't seem to coordinate that part very well. I haven't gotten one on the first try yet. But I know it will get easier with practice.[/quote']