IVS and inserting Catheters

First of all, congratulations on starting nursing school next fall! That's the semester I'm supposed to start nursing school too! I'm just finishing up my pre-reqs now.

To answer your question ( I work as a tech in the ED, and I do catheters and blood draws along with other things, but I assist with the other things you mentioned, so I'll give you my $0.02), in the grand scheme of things, these invasive procedures don't hurt as much as they are uncomfortable. Yes, there is some pain involved - more so for some people than others.

A catheter has been described to me as a lot of pressure, and the feeling of having a terribly full bladder that you have to hold - it's kind of like pain, but it's more just uncomfortable.

I have had an NG tube - I was knocked out when it went in, but I know for sure it hurt coming out! It is a feeling of something hard and dry going down a soft, tender, mucous membrane. Of course it's going to be slightly painful. Just keep in mind that the results (removing offending substances from the stomach) generally provide a kind of relief that makes the pain of the NG tube worth it.

IVs - some people make a huge deal about the pain. I personally don't think they're too bad - yeah, you've got a needle poking in your skin, but it's not anything compared to other types of pain I've been through! The better you get at IVs, the less they USUALLY hurt. I've started an IV on myself before - just to see if I could - and it didn't really hurt that bad. The thing that makes an IV hurt more than a lab draw is that the plastic catheter surrounding the needle gives some resistance when going into the skin, and again when entering the vein wall. Of course, that causes slightly more pain than a simple lab draw needle. However, I think most peoples' major malfunction with IVs is that they're just psychologically so freaked out by the whole thing that they work themselves into a huge tizzy, and it compounds the problem.

Hope this helps! Remember, practice makes perfect, and don't be scared to try try again when it doesn't go smoothly. We were all in the same position when learning a particular skill, and had to learn too. Most nurses are very understanding and willing to offer tips and advice on how to best manage all the things you have to keep straight during a procedure (IMO, especially in foley insertion - that one took me the longest!)

I was pretty terrified of these things in school, too. Worse, I didn't really get many opportunities to practice them. Some things, like catheters and trach suction, have turned out not to be as difficult as I had feared--the hard part is maintaining sterile technique, and that's mainly a matter of being careful.

IV's and blood draws still give me a hard time, and my one attempt at an NG was unsuccessful. But I'm beginning to accept what my preceptors and co-workers keep saying, that these things are just mechanical. Keep trying, and it will get easier.

IMHO, the biggest thing we do is assessment. If you keep up with your patients' conditions, understand what's going on, what meds are given and why, you'll be way ahead of the game. Also, as desperately as I hated care planning in school, learning to see the whole patient, how the systems interact, and the priorities in their care, is crucial. Of course, it's natural to be task-oriented, especially early on, but if you can keep in mind that a nurse's most important tool is her/his brain, I think you'll be on the right track.

Hi NurseMike,

Thanks for the info. I have an interview as an LNA at a hospital. Hopefully this will give me exposure to these procedures.

You give me hope that I can do this. One day at a time.

Peace and Grace

Heather:coollook:

I was so afraid of needles (in particular IVs) when I was looking at the nursing school situation. Once I had 1 successful start, there was a "sick" satisifaction of seeing that flashback and knowing I could something a lot of other people wouldn't dream of doing.

I have worked in ED, and same day surgery as a pre-op nurse. I now insert midlines and PICCs. So I went from my it being my biggest fear to my livelihood.

I found that my training in school was helpful in my fears (of needles) and my problem with feeling too much for the patient when seeing a wound or incision. You come to terms with things as you develop a bit of a "professional distance". It's not that you don't feel for your patients, it's just that it no longer buckles your knees.

Best of luck in your education process.

Don't worry too much about doing any of these things. You will have more time doing care plans that actually doing and practicing these skills. I know several nurses who have graduated without starting one IV. The hospital I currently work at does not let floor nurses start IV's- which I think is nuts (I am in ED and we of course do IV's etc).

All these procedures are painful. I don't worry too much about this, as there is generally more benefit to doing the procedure, than not doing it.

Although I am an ED nurse, I want to always stress, nursing is lots more about thinking and a lot less about doing technical skills. :)

Thanks Katie-Bell and TLhubbard for your words of encouragement.

I will try not to worry too much about this until I have to cross that proverbial bridge.

thanks for alleviating my fears

Heather :)

I was so nervous about those at first too. Then I realized that nursing school was making everything too complicated--like catheters and NG's. For the most part you just lube it up and stick it in, and try not to drop sterile things on the floor.

Sticking a needle in someone was a huge fear of mine also. I shook like a leaf for my first 6 or 7 tries. I still shake when I have to do pediatric IVs. Somehow you just get used to it eventually. You will too.

Good afternoon,

By the way, I love the name daytonite. Very original. Thank you for your long reply. I guess everyone feels nervous. I will take your advice to heart and remember to act confident. This will also put the patient at ease somewhat.

I would like to say everyone has been so supportive and hope I find this same attitude when I become an RN.

Peace and Grace

Heather

Everyone is scared of hurting a patient or doing something wrong. We all went through that. It is normal. You are normal. I am glad to know you care enough about potential patients to want to do your best! Take advantage of any lab time with manikins. Once you are confident about your skill you will do fine.

Hello everyone out there.

I will be attending nursing school in the Fall of '06 and am feeling a little apprehensive about clinicals. The parts I am really scared about is learning the invasive procedures like inserting a Foley or an NG tube or starting an IV. As new grads I was wondering if these procedures scared the heck out of anyone while in school and how you dealt with getting over this fear. I really want to be a nurse and don't want this "challenge" to stop me. Every time I walk into a hospital I feel like this is where I belong. I have all of my science and gen ed requirements done and will have only clinicals to focus on. Also, do these procedures hurt the patient or are they uncomfortable?

I suppose these procedures will be the least of my worries when I become a new nurse.

Peace and grace to all

Nurse Wannabee

Hi Nursewannabee...I don't know if you've seen this on the nursing student thread or not but I found these free videos that demonstrate various nursing skills. Hopefully this will help you feel more confident.

http://www.cotc.edu/Professional/Streaming/Archive/nursing.htm

Good luck to you. :)