IV training for RN

[moneynhien]

Hi, I am a new nurse looking for courses to improve my IV skills, especially insertion skill and more understanding regarding veins. I am not very confident regarding this topic and feel horrible for patients to experience extra painful pokes from me.

I am looking for courses or classes regarding this topic. It would be a bonus for certification or ceu. But for now, I really want to improve my skills and understanding regarding IV therapy.

Is there any good schools in San Diego, CA that have these courses? Those with lots of hand-on practice and several class days so I can learn in a classroom setting.

Thank you for any suggestion.

[cardiacfreak, ADN]

IV insertion is something you have to practice. Nobody expects you to be successful on the first attempt every time when you are new. Find a nurse who is really good with IV sticks and ask them if you can watch their technique. When I first started nursing I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, but I would try at least one time before finding someone to start the IV, and I would always stand and watch how they inserted it. Before I left acute care even the house supervisor would call me for help.

Practice makes perfect. YouTube has some really good videos, I know they are not CEUs but it may help.

[amoLucia]

Can you ask your hospital Staff Dev Dept if you can practice if they have the arm mannequin in their dept? I think they'll understand your reason.

[Castiela]

Or if an experienced nurse is willing to let you like them and they help you with your technique?

[LovingLife123]

It just takes time and practice. I have never heard of a class to take.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Our hospital had to offer a class for floor nurses because of this situation, not just from new nurses. It honestly comes from practice and starting as many as possible. Sure class is nice, knowing anatomy is nice, but once you get into it, every arm is different and you have to learn from feeling tons of arms. Find someone who is good with them, follow around your iv team if you have one, go to the er and learn from us. Lots of things you can do without classes but def talk to your hospital about it.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

IV Therapy is a lot more than just getting into veins Do not misunderstood me though that aspect of it is skill that is unbelieveably valuable. You do, however, need to learn the nursing content as it will serve you well help you make good nursing decisions. I would start out with IVS made incredibly easy and then move on to Plumbers Principles and Practices of IV Therapy once you are ready to dive into some more intense subject matter. Do not cheat yourself on learning this content because you will be amazed at what you do not know yet . What setting are you employed in so I can give you some ideas. You need to check out the LVN certification courses. They are quite good in teaching the hands on skills. Many LVNs need this to perform IV Therapy in certain settings

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

As others have mentioned, actual IV insertion truly is an art and takes practice. My first suggestion would be to make sure you have a firm understanding of general vein anatomy. Sure every person is different, but understanding the anatomy of it will give you a general blueprint to start out with. My other suggestion is to take every opportunity you can to attempt an IV. A lot of times I think people get in their own heads and do not attempt an IV that they could possibly get because they are afraid of failure. Finally, as others have suggested find your floor/unit's "go to" person and learn everything that you can from them. Those little tricks and tidbits really add up.

[brownbook]

I took a few hours long, one day class, on starting IV's as a new grad. Of course I got all my sticks in the class, but still never felt like I knew what in the heck I was doing and returned to being terrible with IV's at work. I firmly believe you learn more from failure than success.

It is just repetition,, practice, practice, practice, not being scared, reading on Allnurses the 1,000's of tips on starting IV's. Realizing yes some nurses, new grads, co-workers, etc., are going to be just great at IV's. I'll never forget a day shift nurse telling a co-worker....wow I had a bad day, I had to poke a patient twice, ....and the co-worker saying...wow that never happens to you, (in all seriousness). Grrrrrrrrr. (I'm calling big fat liar!)

I was never great at IV's and often worked areas where IV's weren't needed. Many brilliant, successful nurses have great careers and never need to or become good at starting IV's. Many years into my career I worked out patient surgery and had to start IV's on OR and GI patients. It still took a while to feel good, competent, and really really understand the what, where, how, etc., of starting IV's.