IV Therapies

[AKsummers]

I am about to start on my third semester this coming January. The first 4 weeks are concentrated on IV's. I am really nervous about learning how to start IV's. I am curious if anyone knows a good book to study up prior to classes, or any helpful hints to put my mind at ease about this new scary skill I have to concour. I did find the IV therapy made incredibly easy online, and am considering purchasing it before the semester starts.

[kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN]

Books can't really teach you how to do something like that, especially since each patient will be different. There's nothing like actually doing it haha. It's not bad really, you miss some and you get some. check out this youtube video

just search IV insertion on youtube and you will find plenty of videos

[anonymousstudent]

^^^I agree. Don't worry about it. Hopefully you'll have lots of practice on a dummy arm so you get the feel for it. Of all the skills we learn, it's really not that bad IMO. My advice is to instead focus on types of solutions (hypo/iso/hyper), types of meds delivered via IV, common solutions that interact, piggyback, tandem, CVC, how to give blood, and of course how to calculate how much to give per hour and gtt/min. :) You'll be OK with the IV start. It's the other things that trip people up.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

I agree with the others. Books will teach you about what to look for as well as knowledge regarding IV therapy (such as the different kinds of solutions, etc etc) but for learning the skill, you have to practice. Don't worry you will get it!

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

If your program is like mine I'm sure you'll get one practice stick on the dummy. Thank God I was a paramedic, or I'd probably be screwed. Really though, IVs aren't "hard." It just takes patience and confidence. It's going to hurt them no matter how or where you stick it so just do it and be done with it. Now, having said that I'll probably blow the next twenty sticks, LOL. Oh, well it's a learning experience, lol.