IV Meds

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I wasn't sure where to post this question, because I am a student, not an instructor, but I have a question.

I was searching this forum and noticed that most of your students give IV meds in their first year. I was shocked! Because at the program that I am in (I just finished my first year; its ADN)we don't pass IV meds until our last semester. In fact we don't even learn about IV's until then and we are NOT allowed to start an IV in the program EVER. Does where you live or what type of ins. the school has, affect the type of experiences that we as students can have? Are we the only school out there like this?

I just think that IV's are a huge part of nursing and that it is something that we should have learned from the beginning. We can give all other meds, just not IV. We cannot even document on the patency of an IV either.

Thank you for your time!!! All feedback is appreciated!

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Specializes in OB, NICU, Nursing Education (academic).

I'm a nursing professor at an ADN program in KY. Our students begin to start IV's and give IV meds in thier 2nd semester of the program. Specifically, I'm the OB professor. My students do not hang or adjust rates on pitocin or magnesium sulfate, but everything else is allowed; mostly IVPB antibiotics, put also some narcotic pushes. They also do blood transfusion when needed. ALL IV procedures, from start to finish are done under the supervision of myself or another licensed (staff) RN. Students are never allowed to give anything IV without supervision. Clinical instructors at our school of nursing work hard to make sure students get as much in-school experience at IV procedures.

I guess it does mostly depend on what school you go to. I really can't understand why you wouldn't be allowed to assess and document the patency of a line! As with most (oddball) policies at nursing schools, there is probably a story behind that rule.

I should add that all our instructors and students are required to carry professional .

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

Our students may start IVs after they have been checked off on that skill in the lab. They may do IV push, etc, with an instructor or RN staff member present. Due to state law, they may not have any part in blood transfusions, as only a licensed RN may initiate one here (an LPN may monitor during and dc the transfusion). Hope this helps.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.

We didn't start IV's at all at my BSN program. We were allowed to do IV push & I also pushed through a PICC during my Critical Care clinical.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, telemetry/stepdown.

I never started an IV during school, we were told that it was not allowed until we were licensed..however I did give IV push drugs and hang IV meds, change and prime tubing,etc..(under supervision obviously) during my 2nd or 3rd semester of school (ADN)...

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Specializes in ICU, Education.

Wow.... not being able to start an iv, but being able to push IV drugs? I consider the latter more dangerous....

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I was allowed to start IVs and give IV antibiotics in nursing school. I don't think I was allowed to give and IV push drugs. Honestly, I wouldn't worry about not starting IVs. Any facility that you work in will require you to go through their training, check off etc... They might also have different IV Catheters, procedures etc.. I know that starting an IV is one of the biggest hurdles to jump over but it won't hurt you or your education if you aren't able to do so in school.

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Specializes in ICU/CCU/Oncology/CSU/Managed Care/ Case Management.

At the school I attended in Florida we were not allowed to start IV's.

They didn't even reveiw collecting blood or the various forms of access devices to administer meds or obtain blood (PICCS, ML, Ports). I learned how to start IV's and draw blood in my first nursing job on an Oncology unit. Great place to start because it was hit or miss with that population.

After passing boards and becoming a new RN ;that is when I first learned how to access ports with huber needles on that same unit. I am glad I learned that because not eveyone has accessibility to that. Some places I have worked they will call the IV team to access the port and the team may take a while for them to get there. So I help out and access the ports when neccessary.

We were not allowed to administer blood products as students nurses only as a RN. As far as IV pushes student nursing are not allowed to push meds in my state. You must be an RN to do so also.

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