My nursing program had us practising on oranges, then dummies and then we had to give each other both IM and SQ injections. Fortunately for me I had a good lab partner, but I heard some students were so scared beforehand they were crying! If I knew other schools didn't allow this I think I would have protested at the time. We also had to do a venipuncture on a classmate as well. Strange how different schools have different beliefs for the same program!!
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.
I think everyone here so far has been stunned in disbelief that the practice of giving injections to fellow students is still acceptable. I'm absolutely sure that the insurance company's for these colleges are unaware of this form of training as well.
Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Call Center RN.
I had the world's best clinical instructor. We had done the practice in lab on dummies and pillows and oranges. When I was assigned an injection in clinicals my clinical instructor she let me give her an injection first. She was one in a million, not just because of that. She was just great. But we did not practice on each other, until IV therapy.
When I went to school to be a medical assistant, we practiced on the dummies a couple times, and then we practiced on each other quite a bit. I got extra credit for being a "victim". We also practiced blood draws and even brought in friends, family members etc. to practice on. Freaks me out a little now to think about, I think I got about 15- 20 injections over 3 days. I also got a needlestick practicing on someone (into her skin, right through into my finger.)
BTW, I never did find a job as an MA. I think I will be more comfortable when I get into nursing school though.
We practiced with dummies and little "fleshy pads", but we also gave each other SQs in the back of the arm. We also started IVs on each other. You did have the right to refuse both. I could never imagine practicing IMs on each other-too much pain (firsthand experience), too many risks, & not necessary. Please refuse-your school doesn't need to be doing this anymore! Save the sticks for someone who actually needs it.
I don't see what the big deal is... We did give each other one shot, but that was after we had practiced on those worthless silicone bags, and sited it out and the instructor approved. I hate needles but I didn't whine like a big baby. And as far as HIV and all that goes.. You will be exposed to it in clinicals and if you do things properly then you have nothing to worry about.
The experience of doing some procedures on a live human (and reasonably cooperative at that) was a great confidence booster for me and my classmates in nursing school. My hubby let me give him a bedbath, a couple shots of NS, and start a few IV's.
We even had a few NG's put down a willing classmate once...LOL! Students were required to find their experiences in the hospital or else they had to demo it in lab on a classmate. I had great veings so was frequently asked to allow IV starts. Course I was a LPN first so the gross out factor was less for me.
We figured if we can dish it out we should be willing to take a little of it too...LOL! Didn't hurt us any, but yes it was a more innocent and less litigious time.
The experience of doing some procedures on a live human (and reasonably cooperative at that) was a great confidence booster for me and my classmates in nursing school. My hubby let me give him a bedbath, a couple shots of NS, and start a few IV's.
We even had a few NG's put down a willing classmate once...LOL! Students were required to find their experiences in the hospital or else they had to demo it in lab on a classmate. I had great veings so was frequently asked to allow IV starts. Course I was a LPN first so the gross out factor was less for me.
We figured if we can dish it out we should be willing to take a little of it too...LOL! Didn't hurt us any, but yes it was a more innocent and less litigious time.
I think your last sentence says it all. I'm surprised that nursing school can afford the Liability Insurance.
When I went thru LPN school ~~10 yrs ago we did give each other IM, SC, ID and start IV's on each other. Needless to say there were several classmates who were bruised, but we all survived.
We were the last class to practice on each other though, due to the insurance liabilities for the school.
In medical assisting school we practiced on each other. We were told we could not reufes.
That is totally wrong and illegal. ( I did not realize it at the time)
The idea of "extra credit for being a vitim" is also wrong.
In nursing school we did not practice on each other.
However, we did practice one IV start on each other. THIS WAS ONLY DONE WITH A SIGNED CONSENT from the student being stuck and the consent stated the risks.
If you did not get to practice on another student as there were not enought to go arround, you did your first real stick on a patient. However, everyone practiced on a dummy both IV and injection (by the way you were only allowed to volunteer for two IV sticks max)
We did not practice injections on students.
There is no justification worth the risk to students to be pincushions for invasive procedure practice. Holding your own education and or grade hostage is unethical.
You would not be out of line to take this to your school's ethic committee.
findingmywayRN
114 Posts
My nursing program had us practising on oranges, then dummies and then we had to give each other both IM and SQ injections. Fortunately for me I had a good lab partner, but I heard some students were so scared beforehand they were crying! If I knew other schools didn't allow this I think I would have protested at the time. We also had to do a venipuncture on a classmate as well. Strange how different schools have different beliefs for the same program!!