I am terrible at IV's!!

[momthenRN]

Starting IV's has never been an easy skill for me. I took off for 5 years to raise my family and am now working again. I am finding everything else fairly easy but starting IV's are such a challenge for me still. I have not started one successfully yet! Any suggestions or key points would really help me...thanks,....

[kmoonshine, RN]

just make the er nurse do it before the pt comes up, or call one if it infiltrates. that appears to be the unwritten practice in my hospital.

are you serious? shame on you!

how convenient of you to make the ed nurses start your iv's; i sure wish i could tell the ambulances to go around the block a couple of times because i need to start an iv on the floor since the patient's nurse either lacks the skill, knowledge, or common courtesy to start a line. you are delaying patient care (pain meds, fluids...).

apparently iv starts are our business and i'll gladly start them, but the tradeoff is you getting our code browns.

[MikeyBSN]

Are you serious? Shame on you!

How convenient of you to make the ED nurses start your IV's; I sure wish I could tell the ambulances to go around the block a couple of times because I need to start an IV on the floor since the patient's nurse either lacks the skill, knowledge, or common courtesy to start a line. You are delaying patient care (pain meds, fluids...).

Apparently IV starts are our business and I'll gladly start them, but the tradeoff is you getting our code browns.

I'm an ER nurse, this was sort of a vent.

[kmoonshine, RN]

I'm an ER nurse, this was sort of a vent.

Sorry Mikey, I didn't know that you were being sarcastic, nor did I know that you worked ED. My apologies.

[paccookie]

Are you serious? Shame on you!

How convenient of you to make the ED nurses start your IV's; I sure wish I could tell the ambulances to go around the block a couple of times because I need to start an IV on the floor since the patient's nurse either lacks the skill, knowledge, or common courtesy to start a line. You are delaying patient care (pain meds, fluids...).

Apparently IV starts are our business and I'll gladly start them, but the tradeoff is you getting our code browns.

When I worked on the floor as a secretary, it was common practice to call the ICU nurses if the floor couldn't get an IV after 2 sticks (yes, there were exceptions and there were a few nurses who were really good at IVs...one of whom posts here every now and then). Once I got my EMT cert, they even asked ME to start IVs a few times (I didn't - I wasn't practicing as an EMT at the time and thus not covered under the hospital's malpractice insurance). It was frustrating for the ICU nurses and irritating for me to observe. Learn how to start IVs - it's a necessary skill if you're a nurse, no matter what area you're working in.

[inshallamiami]

I had a LOT of trouble with iv starts until.....1.I slowed down and 2. I SAT down. Sitting helps you relax and changes the angle. Try it!

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

I thought I would never be able to start an IV. Practice definately does help. Try to start all that you can on people with reasonably good veins. I'm sure your co-workers won't mind when you offer to start or re-start their IV's. I did so many that now I'm referred to as the IV geru and I love starting them now.