I gave my first injection today

[LilRedRN1973]

Today in lab, we started learning injections. At first, we were practicing on oranges and hotdogs....hmmm...nope, just didn't do it for me. So we asked if we could inject each other. Instructor said sure, just use aseptic technique and wear gloves. Okay, so we start poking each other. The first few times I tried the intradermal, I was too deep. I finally got it right on...guess who? Me! I gave myself an injection and with my non dominant hand no less. This from the girl who used to be deathly afraid of needles. LOL. I think all the piercings I have had over the years and all the dental work I've had has paid off...needles no longer really bother me.

Also, I came home armed with a handful of extra needles/syringes and asked my hubbie if I could use his arm. He let me do him and then I went for a longshot. I asked my 3 almost 4 year old if I could do one in her arm. To my surprise, she agreed. Her only comment was as the needle was going in, she said "ouch". No crying, no whining, nothing. So after that was done, I looked at my 7 year old, who tends to be VERY wimpy and whines about everything "hurting", even his hair getting cut. I figured he would run away, but to my surprise, he reluctantly said okay. He kind of whimpered as I pushed the needle in, but I don't blame him. That kid has really really tough skin. I had to really shove the needle in a lot more than with my hubbie, stepdaughter, or myself. But he was okay after that and recovered quickly. I'm so relieved that I got that part over with...I was dreading sticking a needle into someone. Now if I can just manage to convince my hubbie to let me do an IM on him.....ROFL.

[Ms Kylee]

Congrats! I've given a whopping 2... first was a flu shot on a patient being discharged. She told my instructor she didn't even feel the needle going in. I was so thrilled I wanted to do the Happy Dance right in the room. The second was today. Had to give a squiggly newborn his Aquamiphyton shot. I actually did it with no problems. My instructor even said I did a good job. I wanted to float all the way home.

[Jules A, MSN]

So much of it is your attitude to begin with and your technique will follow. My first injection was subq and I said to the lady, "no worries I'm really good at these". She seemed very calm and in turn that made me feel better also. Your comfort level will improve with practice. Try not to worry about hitting a vein. Imo its very rare and you are more likely to knick a tiny blood vessel if anything. Hang in there.

[fromthedyt]

Just wait to you get to do it on an actually patient its exciting!. My school doesn't let us practice on each other we had these things that looked like little butt cheeks to practice on.

[checkmarks0725]

Congrats! Can't wait until I get to start giving injections, although I'm sure I will be very nervous my first time...

[Jdl2002]

When we were learning injections and IVs our instructors said we could practice on each other if we wanted, but no one wanted to. During clinicals a few nurses on the floor have let students practice sticking IVs them. Every semester we got a bag full of supplies so we could practice on our own either at home or in the nursing arts lab. I got suringes, needles, foleys, NG tubes, etc to take home with me. I don't see why there would be any liability is giving needles to students. I can go to the corner pharmacy and buy them in the diabetic supplies isle.As to practicing injections on your own children: if you feel confident in your skills as a nursing student and a parent, then go for it. As a parent you give the informed consent.

[Adams_Mommy_07]

Well, as far as the injecting of the children goes, I personally would not do it. But I am the kind of mother who won't do ANY procedures on my child. Now, my DH that's another story :) Anyways, the children are the OPs so she is the informed consent more or less. Ethically, parents *shouldn't* be giving consent to procedures they do on their own children, but the father clearly consented because he did not object--therefore there is nothing legally nor ethically wrong with the OP practicing on her children--- But with that said, I could never do any procedure on my own child unless his life mandated I do so. And I would not recommend someone to practice on their children, but that is just my opinion.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

My husband would NEVER let me practice on him. He almost backed out of getting his wisdom teeth pulled because of the IV for the anesthesia he is petrified of needles yet he gets gashes all the time and it doesn't seem to bother him :|

I don't think I would let other students practice IV's on me, Injections MAYBE but I have very difficult veins, I have had my blood drawn and IV's done millions of times, half that million is redo's from people not getting it. Sometimes they have to call 4 different people to try. I can't donate blood or plasma because I don't have compatible veins so yea, I won't be letting any newbies practice that on me