Learning IVs

[kt123]

Hi everyone,

The facility that I work at is no longer letting new nurses learn/gain experience in starting IVs in same day surgery anymore because of declining patient satisfaction scores. We're trying to figure out other departments that may provide a great learning arena for this skill and how others in the field gained their experience in learning IVs?? What have you done?

[imanedrn]

My 1st year of nursing is up tomorrow! I found it helpful to use non-latex gloves (for some reason I can feel the bounce of the vein more than latex), and don't stick a vein you can't feel. I have been tricked often by veins I can see but not feel. It is easiest to stick in the AC space or the wrist (which hurts more but hey at least you can get a line in), and about 80% of IV's I try in the forearm blow.. Just my 2 cents..

The wrist?! That's a last ditch for me!

[snortzmom]

Yes, a last resort, but when you are first learning and your patient is crashing, you do what you have to do to get the line in :) Definitely not ideal but hey I work ER and sometimes you don't have the luxury of missing.. K.

[RNtoday]

I am a new nurse who graduated in Dec. I work on a med/surg floor. We have to start IV's constantly. I recommend spending a day on a med/surg floor or even in the ER. Once you learn to relax and recognize veins, it will come naturally.

[SoundofMusic]

I try to practice all I can on our night shift. That's when we do all our a.m. labs and I go around volunteering for any stick I can get. Now that I'm somewhat comfortable with my blood draws, I'm really not to phased about doing IV starts either. Just takes time and repetition and a few successes.

Even the best nurses blow veins and have to call someone else in to do a 2nd attempt.

And it's so COOL when you get your sample or get your IV in!!