Is it normal that my school doesn't teach us IVs?

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  1. Is it normal not to learn IVs in nursing school?

    • 55
      Yes
    • 49
      No

104 members have participated

I just started nursing school and I've been told that we're not allowed to do IVs. Is this in all nursing schools or just mine? I'm worried that I won't be prepared when I get my first nursing job.

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Most schools do not teach IV insertion for a variety of reasons. Just be happy they do not teach Foley insertion anymore.

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Specializes in NICU, RNC.
Most schools do not teach IV insertion for a variety of reasons. Just be happy they do not teach Foley insertion anymore.

What? Most schools don't teach IV? And you weren't even taught Foley insertion?

Wow. I guess my school is over-the-top. They taught us all of that. We were taught Foley as a first-semester basic skill. And IVs were introduced in 2nd semester. I've inserted a good number of IVs during my ASN program. In fact, we were required to perform a successful insertion on a fellow student before we were even allowed to go to 2nd semester clinical rotation. That seems crazy that someone could graduate never having learned that skill.

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At my school we "learned" how to do them on dummies in the 2nd semester. That was useless but it allowed us to do them in clinicals which where I actually learned how to do them on patients with a nurse teaching me. I have spoken with several nurses who told me they didnt even have a successful IV start in school or never attempted one at all. I dont know if this is because the school did not teach/allow them or they just didnt get a chance during their clinicals. I do think a nurse should have some experience with them before they graduate though.

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I think it's normal for BSN programs.... not that I necessarily agree with it. But I find their emphasis to be on soft skills, such as QI project or research review.... kind of ridiculous since most nurses will be working the floor before they participate in any projects like that. But I digress.. 2010 was the last class at my university to practice the skill on each other.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I completed an LVN program in 2005, an ASN program in 2010 and a BSN program in 2015. Not once did I learn the skill of IV line insertion in any nursing program I've ever completed, nor did I learn to insert Foley catheters in school.

We were expected to learn most procedural skills on the job. In this day and age, many nursing programs focus on ensuring the students pass NCLEX on the first try.

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Specializes in CHF, Med/Surg, Telemetry, Cardiac Care.

I graduated in 2008 from a Bachelor's program, and I cannot recall learning more than the theory of placing a peripheral line. I'm pretty positive we practiced placing Foleys, but I'm not 100% sure - it was so long ago. Needless to say, 8 years later and I still have never inserted an IV. I've been fortunate to work for a facility that has an IV team. They've seen better outcomes (fewer instances of phlebitis, etc) with lines inserted by IV team as compared to floor nurses. I also am blessed to have a phlebotomy team. Maybe I'm just a lucky gal?

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Specializes in TNCC.

We were taught IV insertion during second semester on a dummy. We will have to show how to do an IV, d/c an IV, prime tubing, insert a Foley catheter, and insert a NG tube during the beginning of third semester. Our instructors have told us that we may not insert an IV in the field, but we are taught how to do them. I think that's it is pretty odd to not even teach IV insertion. :/

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I just graduated in June, and our program taught IV cannulation and foley placement. I had two opportunities to start an IV, which I gave to classmates as I am already skilled at IV starts. I was able to change a suprapubic Foley catheter during my clinical, never had a chance to place a traditional Foley. I think it is a disservice to nursing students not to be taught the skill. I know when I need to start a Foley after I start working as an RN, I will have to grab someone to supervise me, but at least I am not completely clueless as to how to perform the skill.

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

I'm in an ABSN program. My understanding is that we are to learn IVs and Foley catheters in 3rd quarter. We learn on a manikin first, but have the expectation we will be practicing in the hospital as well under instructor and preceptor supervision.

Working as a CNA I knew several nurses who hadn't done IVs in school.

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We are reviewing IV med admin including how to do actually drip rates, but no insertion & no dressing changes. It's frustrating.

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My school has dummy arms

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