Learning Injections on EACH OTHER

seanymph · Jan 17, 2004

I have never understood when students have told me that they practice shots on each other. The nursing school I went to we never did this, we had the models to use. I have been told by my patients that I give the best shots, that they never feel them, so I don't see how practicing on my classmates could have improved my technique. I can't say I approve of this practice.

nurturing_angel · Jan 17, 2004

We never practiced IM's on each other either. But I have let new nurses practice starting IV's on me.

live4today, RN · Jan 17, 2004

In school, we practiced on models body parts and oranges. :)

We never practiced on each other. The first human I gave an injection to was a real live patient, and I have yet to hear a patient say they felt the shots that I gave them. :nurse:

allele, LPN · Jan 17, 2004

We never practiced on each other, there wasn't a need to. Actually, my first shot was on a patient with the instructor in the room with me guiding me through. The patient agreed to this, of course. I would hope that you wouldn't be required to do something like this if you're not comfortable with it. You have no idea what your classmates medical histories are and God forbid there's a needle stick while learning!! I hope they make this a volunteer exercise and come up with an alternative for those that are uncomfortable with it---like dummies that dawnc87 mentioned. Good luck! :)

nursbee04 · Jan 17, 2004

We were given a choice to refuse, but most of us did practice on each other. For IM we just gave a shot in the deltoid, you all probably won't do all the IM sites (at least I hope not). I gave a good friend of mine a subcu and another girl an IM and they gave the same to me. We used the models for dorso and ventro.

I felt alot better after we practiced on each other because giving a shot to a living breathing being was a big fear of mine. :eek:

nekhismom · Jan 17, 2004

We did not practice injections on each other. We used the dummy for that. Our instructors said it was too dangerous to practice on one another...probably d/t exposure, not enough sharps boxes, etc. We did have to start IV's on one another, though. That was scary!

passing thru · Jan 17, 2004

We practiced one time - one injection each- on fellow classmates. It was with a t.b. syringe and in the upper arm. And it was all voluntary.

I agree with all the above posters.

There was a lot of crummy IM shot givers in the hospitals then.

The buttocks is tricky, you gotta know the landmarks to decrease the odds of sticking the sciatic nerve.

Lots of IM's , not given correctly, turn into what is called,

""Sterile Abcesses"".

That means they are hard and permanent lumps under the skin. The medication never dispersed and was

never absorbed.

Embalmers say they find lots of them....on pt's who spent their last couple of months in the hospital.

So, if I had to do it,..... I would focus on the school's and tutor s and MY objectives, and put away my self-conciousness and do

the best I could.

I'd try to see to it that everyone had a safe and educational and memorable experience. I think the tutors know what they are doing. You all know not to stick yourselves. That is a low risk in this envoirment. No one likes getting stuck. Even patients.

Good luck.

sagelola · Jan 17, 2004

Last semester we learned SQ and learned on a little silicon pad thingy. We did not do them on each other. This semester we will learn IM, etc., but I don't know if we will have an opportunity to do each other. I kind of think not because of the whole liability issue.

In a way it seems like a good idea. When I gave my first (and only) SQ shot last semester in clinical...it was hard...I didn't want to hurt the patient, so I hesitated a few seconds...the nurse with me didn't really understand (she's been a nurse like 30 yrs)...it is just a little strange I think the first time (maybe the first few times) you give a shot to a real live human.

But, I don't think I would like a whole bunch of practice sticks done on me, either!!

allnurses Guide · Jan 17, 2004

There was another thread like this recently. I am amazed that schools still let students practice on each other. My school was adamant against it due to HIV and Hepatitis, etc.

We practiced in the labs with the "dummies" and then on oranges. And then on real patients during clinical. My first sub-q of insulin into a lady's abdomen was sooooo scary. And she had a very scarred up abd so the syringe bounced right off . . . . arrgghh . . that was not fun with the instructor glaring at you. My first IV was in my ER clinical on a young woman with huge veins. Got right in.

I didn't do another IV until I started working as a nurse and it was on another nurse friend of mine who was in labor. Got in on the first try too. Those young women with juicy veins spoil you.

I'm still amazed that some of you recent students practiced on each other. I've heard it was quite common . . . .until HIV.

steph

roxannekkb · Jan 17, 2004

I have a great fear of injections, and would never let anyone practice on me. When I was in nursing school, we were told to practice on eachother, and I absolutely refused. My instructor accepted that, and that was the end of it. After I refused, so did another student, who had been afraid to speak up.

You need to tell your instructor that you do not wish to be used as a dummy, and do not wish to stab your classmates. No one should be forced to do this, I'm sorry. There is no way I would have ever let anyone practice on me.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Jan 17, 2004

We do not allow this at our school. We practice on our ex$pen$ive manequins (LOTS of dummy arms and extra body parts to spare). Suprised to hear that some schools are still doing this. VEERRRY risky, in this age of HIV, Hep C, and litigation.