IV fear

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I am still taking my pre req's but keep thinking about what scares me the most about nursing school. I am not squeamish or afraid of needles but am extremely anxious about doing IV's etc. Was this a problem for anyone? If so, what did you do or how did you overcome insertion? I am afraid I won't be steady enough or able to find the veins.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Causing pain to another person is a 'problem' to anyone with an iota of empathy... so your feeling is natural. As you progress through your clinical training, you will learn how to deal with this. You'll first learn the mechanics on simulation models so by the time you do it in real life, you are confident in how to manipulate everything and handle all of the equipment. Your clinical instructor will be hovering over you and protecting the patient until you master the skill.

Long ago and far away - prior to the availability of high fidelity IV simulation models - my first IV sticks were on a neuro trauma unit.... with comatose patients. In retrospect, I have some ethical twinges about it, but it was an ideal training area.

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Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

It's not like your first day of nursing school will involve IVs. Don't worry. You will start by watching it, then, you'll get the basics of the mechanics of it, then you'll learn to do it on a mannequin, then, and only then, will you do it to a live person. You will also learn how to give shots first, which I think is a big help. My first IM injection on an injection pad completely sucked. But, I kept practicing. Then, we gave each other flu shots and it was easier to feel like a royal screw up with my fellow nervous students. I've now given about 20 IM injections. No worries at all. I know they hurt the pt a little, but I'm a ton better at it than I used to be.

We don't get to learn IVs until next year. I'm excited. I have watched it in clinicals tons of times. I think it'll be okay.

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