I cant start IV's!

[Creamsoda, ASN, RN]

Ok, so ive been a RN for almost 4 years. Mostly in ICU. We dont start IV's often. So therefore, I am awfull at them. I mean horrible. Ive probably tried maybe 15 times in the past 3 months and have gotten 2. Thats pretty routine for me. The problem is I am starting a new Job in a large trauma emerg and I am worried that ill never get good. Im worried about having to start IV's quickly when I cant start them at the best of times. Im thinking im going to ask to shadow the IV team or something in the hospital because I cant work emerg and not start a stupid IV. did anyone else have this problem and get any better?

[Michael_65]

I don't know if this is an option for you, but at my hospital, nurses who need to get better at starting IVs are sent to ambulatory surgery for a day. Every patient in ambulatory surgery gets a new IV access started, so there are quite a few opportunities to start IV lines under the supervision of the experienced nurses on the unit. Another option is an "IV day", where you take a lighter patient load for the shift and start every single IV that is needed on your unit. Talk to your manager, either at your current or future place of employment about it.

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

I was going to suggest ambulatory surgery too. We got to do this as a student and it helped a great deal!

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

It is better to ask for experience now an be honest like you are with us. No one is going going to knock you for wanting to be more competant at something. and if they are then bleep em they don't matter.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I've been a nurse for 6 months and can't start an IV. At first, I was scared to death to try (when I was in school we weren't allowed to stick people). I have done some phlebotomy sticks, I've been successful once or twice out of like 6 tries. I am finally deciding that I can't go through nursing not sticking people (as nice as that would be), so I think the next time I'm at work and it's not too busy, I'm going to ask some of the vetern nurses that are good with IV starts to let me watch/try with them.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

BTW: I find it ironic that you work in the ICU. At my hospital, if the IV team can't stick someone, they call the ICU to send up an experienced nurse to do the lab draw or IV start.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

A lot of ICU nurses work mainly with central lines. ICU nurses don't necessarily have superior IV starting skills, in fact some have fewer because they have fewer patients who are more likely to have a central line in place.

[Creamsoda, ASN, RN]

Exactly. we usually have lines. I dont know why the floors call ICU. Granted, there are a few nurses who are good, but emerg is way more awesome than we are at them. I heart central lines. Ugh. When I start the job, I will be up front about it. Its probably just a practice thing.

[catshowlady]

A lot of ICU nurses work mainly with central lines. ICU nurses don't necessarily have superior IV starting skills, in fact some have fewer because they have fewer patients who are more likely to have a central line in place.

Yeah, that would be me - went to ICU as a new grad. I'm inconsistent. I do look for opportunities to start IV's so I can get better at it.

I will say the experienced nurses on my unit have wonderful skills.

I second the recommendation to try getting a day in pre-op/ambulatory surgery. I have noticed that more practice makes better for me.

[j450n, BSN, MSN, RN]

A lot of ICU nurses work mainly with central lines. ICU nurses don't necessarily have superior IV starting skills, in fact some have fewer because they have fewer patients who are more likely to have a central line in place.

That's interesting. Aside from the IV nurse, the ER nurses are the ones that start IVs often at my hospital. I could definitely see how ICU nurses work mainly with central lines. Although, I have seen a few ICU nurses do an ABG...which seems exponentially harder.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

Yes, it's a practice thing. Once you get the knack of it, your skills will build.

I go for a shallow angle and often don't use tourniquets. I have a good success rate. Just keep practicing and don't stress about it. Be sure to advance the catheter a smidgen after getting flashback. Watch for valves, they are lumpy, and go far enough below them to not hit one. Stabilize the vein!

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

I did an ABG once when the lab tech couldn't. It wasn't really that difficult, just aim for the pulse. It's not like you have to advance a catheter. The artery has so much pressure, the syringe fills itself.