I'm worried about drawing blood and putting in IVs

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello all,

I'm a student taking the last of my pre reqs soon to start the program. I'm excited about it the only thing that has me concerned is drawing blood and putting in IVs. Now it's not because I don't like needles or the sight of blood, I don't want to get it wrong and upset/hurt the pt. I've been on the receiving end of this and know how it feels. I know some hospitals have iv techs (I think that's what their called), but I'm sure it's not practical to always use them. I want to be able to do this without a problem like it's second nature will this happen? How soon will it take for me to learn? Are there any nurses that still have problems doing this?

Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.
Hello all,

I want to be able to do this without a problem like it's second nature will this happen? How soon will it take for me to learn? Are there any nurses that still have problems doing this?

Yes, after doing about 25-30 IVs, it will become second nature. Yes, sometimes experienced nurses have to get some one else to get an IV started. We all have our good days and bad days.

I've been a nurse for about 6 months now. I am comfortable doing IVs now.:up:

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Specializes in Med surg, Critical Care, LTC.

Britney: Always volunteer to do the patient no one else wants to do because "they have terrible veins!" That's how I learn to be so good, I could put an IV in a ROCK! Yeah, you'll have misses, so what, again, look at the big picture - "Some day, an infants life may depend upon my learning to do this touch stick, I an do it!:

Another suggestion, persons of color's veins are more readily seen by using betadine instead of EToh or an ETOH product

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Work in BMT and you'll never have to do either.

I still haven't learned the medical terms, what is BMT?

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.

I precepted in an ED for 6 weeks right before I graduated. I was schooled in the finer arts of IV starts by a kick ass ED nurse with over 25 years of experience.

Best thing that ever happened to me :) I got to try starting literally hundreds of IVs and today I'm fairly proficient :D Nothing makes me happier than bloody traumas - time to put in those 16s and 14s and dual-lumen PIVs :D

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Specializes in Oncology.
I still haven't learned the medical terms, what is BMT?

Bone marrow transplant. All the patients have central lines.

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Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.

I agree...don't worry about it! It comes with practice. Before you know it, you will be a pro.

i agree with the poster that said to always volunteer to do the ones nobody wants to do. thats how i got good at it too. now they call me "one stick southernbee".

my trick? wrap the arm in a warm, moist compress. the veins pop up like you wouldnt believe. i just throw a towel in the microwaver for a minute or so and get it good and warm. sure it takes a little more time, but when you get it the first try, believe me, the patients will call you an angel.

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.

Also, flicking the vein with your finger or smacking it with your palm helps as well.

Also, another trick I learned from observing my dentist* - for those of you who dither about using topical/local anesthetics before starting IVs: vigorously rub the area you are about to poke in (using your cleansing agent for example). Not only does this make the vein pop out more, the constant application of pressure and friction temporarily overloads the sensory nerves.

The resultant IV stick isn't "painless" but it doesn't hurt as bad... :)

cheers,

* : My dentist vigorously rubs/massages my gums before and during injecting the anesthetic. I don't feel the needle nearly as much as compared to straight pokes.

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