Is this real? Vein light

chevygirl1987 · Oct 21, 2015

There are a few vein illuminators. I've never used one, but they look like they would make life better for certain patients.

As with most skills, IVs take practice. Attempt a start every chance you get, and ask those who are great at them to watch you and give pointers.

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Oct 21, 2015

Yes, it is a real thing. Although, I've heard mixed reviews about it.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2015

I have one on my unit. And there are several throughout the hospital. I've never used it but have seen it used.

You really should practice without using it. You should be going by feel, not sight. We only use this when we can't see (with our eyes) or feel a vein to use. Often if we have to resort to using the vein finder...the person is going to be a hard stick no matter what.

~PedsRN~, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2015

We have one, as well as another one which is just a "light". They work well but at the same time, they don't. Nothing compares to just the good old "feel" method. I think they give patients sometimes a false sense of hope, if that makes sense.

Farawyn · Oct 21, 2015

We have one, as well as another one which is just a "light". They work well but at the same time, they don't. Nothing compares to just the good old "feel" method. I think they give patients sometimes a false sense of hope, if that makes sense.

Yea, you need that springy, veiny bounceback!

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Oct 21, 2015

We have one and I LOVE it! We use it a lot in our PICU and peds ED. Saves us a lot of crying and missed attempts.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Oct 21, 2015

I have an inexpensive one that is nothing like that. I wish.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Oct 21, 2015

We don't have one...however we do have nurses that have the light.

OP, I wouldn't worry about getting IVs too much-some days I'm good at it, others, not so much.

IV's are a "skill" that can be learned quickly....other nursing skills, such as assessment, planning, critically thinking like a nurse are far more important and impressed upon; successfully moving from novice to expert in nursing is key-IVs are so minute that once you learn technique it is what it is.

queenjulie, RN · Oct 21, 2015

Yep, it's real, and I've used it a bunch of times. Whether it's helpful is a mixed bag. It can give you a good view of the location of veins in someone with very dark skin, which is the best benefit as far as I'm concerned. However, it doesn't help you get in the veins if they're flat, dehydrated, rolling, etc. Also, they aren't much help if the patient is very swollen--the veins get hidden under all the fluid (which also makes them hard to feel manually, so you just have to do your best!).

I think of it as giving you a head start, but it won't get the job done for you.

ladysushi · Oct 21, 2015

It awesome that these really exist! Never seen them used at any of my area hospitals. I am a hard stick when it comes to IVs and taking my blood, they actually had to get an ultrasound out and use it :bluecry1: !!!

I know the pain of having a nervous nurse or tech digging blindly into your arm and it is not fun, especially when they act like it is your fault they are having issues getting your vein. I am just dread-ding the day I come across a hard stick, like myself.

But I guess I have to put my big girl scrubs on and arise to the challenge. :nurse:

ha ha.

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2015

"Vein finders" aren't new; they have been around for a number of years now. Personally, I don't find them all that helpful. I guess I have had enough experience starting IV's that I usually don't have any trouble with them.