My IV Skills are Terrible!!!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

So I’ve been a nurse for 5 years. And my IV insertion skills are horrific. I was an inpatient nurse for 3.5 years, but I always wheeled and dealed with other nurses to insert my IVs. And now I’m been in an outpatient setting for almost a year.

Now ive been moved to a position (still outpatient) where I need to insert IVs every day. At first I wasn’t getting a couple, Now I’ve just been missing. It makes me feel like I’m not gonna make it in this position. Should I take a course? Not really sure what I can do. My confidence is tanking. Any ideas on how to better my skills and calm my nerves?! Any ideas ( other than keep trying lol) would be appreciated? Thanks!

Specializes in L&D.
On 3/6/2019 at 3:11 PM, DowntheRiver said:

Please do not do this. A nurse at my facility did this when the Joint Commission came through. It did not go well.

Ugh I Always pull a finger off. Can't feel thru those darn thick gloves...

1 Votes

If you are somewhat consistently getting flash, you are hitting the vein. Once you get flash, the tip of the needle has to remain in the vein long enough to get the cannula into it also. You accomplish this by as soon as you see the flash, lowering the angle of the needle to travel 1/4 of an inch along the path of the vein. Once this is done, push the cannula off of the needle and pull the needle out. Trying to cannulate the vein too early is a common mistake. Too many of us remember that the flash means we have hit the vein, too few remember that the edge of the cannula is below the needle tip.

On 3/5/2019 at 6:01 AM, OldDude said:

No one has yet to mention mojo, cosmic upheaval, supernatural interference, disturbances in the "force," and other negative effects of the universe. You'll get there...just keep on keeping on!!

I would go through periods where I could start an IV on a 1 month old with my eyes closed and wearing boxing gloves...and then I'd go through periods where I couldn't get a vein if it was like a water hose laying on a concrete driveway!

Hang in there!!

wow this is what I am currently going through, and I am feeling so depressed asking myself what is wrong with me. These past couple of weeks have been so bad I am blowing so many veins it is scary. People used to ask me to come help with IVs now I dont know what to do. I am scared!

1 Votes
On 3/11/2019 at 12:31 AM, Boldbeaut3 said:

If you are somewhat consistently getting flash, you are hitting the vein. Once you get flash, the tip of the needle has to remain in the vein long enough to get the cannula into it also. You accomplish this by as soon as you see the flash, lowering the angle of the needle to travel 1/4 of an inch along the path of the vein. Once this is done, push the cannula off of the needle and pull the needle out. Trying to cannulate the vein too early is a common mistake. Too many of us remember that the flash means we have hit the vein, too few remember that the edge of the cannula is below the needle tip.

That is what happened to me every time i missed an IV. I always get a flash of blood return but then the IV still is not a good one. If I could find a video to teach me what to do as soon as I get some blood return that will be great. I am dying to learn but too embarrassed to ask people at work because they are so judgmental.

Specializes in Perioperative, peds ,floor nurse,scl nurse.

The more you worry about it, the worse it will get. Anxiety is your worst enemy. Take some deep breaths & go for it. I always tell the patient I will try twice & if I can’t get it, I’ll get someone else to do it. That way both you & the pt aren’t stressed about about continuous sticks.

+ Add a Comment