Need experience/training with IVs

[runner502]

I did not get any hands on experience inserting IVs or drawing blood in my nursing program. I really want to work in oncology in an outpatient setting, but not having this experience is making it very difficult to get hired. I have applied for regular inpatient RN positions, but was wondering if there were any other companies or organizations that have internships or will train inexperienced RNs on the job. Thanks.

[offlabel]

If you are currently employed at a hospital with a pre-op holding area, talk to the nurse manager and very politely ask if you could come in on your days off to start IV's for patients coming to the OR. If she isn't a controlling megalomaniac, she'll say yes.

[runner502]

Thanks for the suggestion, but right now I am not employed at a hospital. Hopefully I will be soon. The last hospital I was working at was not very supportive in allowing me time to train or get experience for even a few hours. I am hoping that the next place I will work will be much different. In the meantime, I was just exploring what other options might get me this training and experience. I know it's one of those things you get better at the more you do it, so I really need to start doing it!

[brownbook]

I do not know of many companies or organizations that offer on the job training outside of acute care hospitals and skilled nursing facilities.

As far as I know there is not a nursing shortage so organizations and companies have no need to hire inexperienced nurses and pay for their orientation. There are 100's of experienced nurses competing for jobs.

The field of out patient oncology nursing is considered high acuity. Newish inexperienced RN's would have a hard time getting hired.

Many new grads are in your same shoes. Many nursing programs do not offer much in the way of IV training or blood draws.

I admire your goals and don't want to put up roadblocks, but I think you will need to work acute care nursing in a hospital, med/surg, for a few months or years, before you would be considered for out patient oncology.

When you get a job, if you get a job, in an acute care hospital you may need to be the "squeaky wheel" and pester co-workers, your charge nurse, (in a friendly, non-annoying way), for opportunities to improve your IV and blood drawing skills.

[runner502]

That is pretty much what I've been hearing, and I am applying for inpatient RN positions. So hopefully that will happen soon. I was just hoping in the meantime, I could get more training so I would feel more comfortable even as a med-surg nurse. But, since I haven't had much luck finding any other training avenues I may just have to seek out opportunities once I'm able to start on an inpatient unit. I appreciate your advice!