New grad orientation

[newnursemoon, ADN, RN]

Hi guys!

I start my new grad orientation at a PCU floor this week. I have sims and skills sessions scheduled for next week. My question is mostly what to expect? I never got a chance to practice IVs in school (thanks Covid); did y’all practice during your orientation? Are we expected to allow ourselves to be stuck for IV or injection practice (I’m an endocrine pt so I get stuck a lot and would rather avoid it LOL; esp bc I’m a hard stick). Thanks in advance!

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

I've been told by older nurses whom I've met in the past that LOTS of stuff was practiced on/by students as part of training. Forward to now, I'd find it hard to believe that an employer would open themselves to the liability of having their new staff poke and prod each other.

My guess is that your new place may have their own sim lab, and you may shadow someone for IVs/sticks before doing on actual patients under staff supervision.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

This question is best asked during orientation. We do not know their protocol for teaching IV skills. 

 I get it that learning IV skills is a big concern.  If it is a hard skill for you to learn.. just ask to shadow the IV team. If no IV team...identify who is the guru  on your unit and ask them for teaching.

Best wishes.

[SarHat17, ASN, RN]

I agree with other posts that this is a good question to ask in orientation. It was never an expectation at my job to "practice" on each other. I think it's a liability issue as well. We did start an IV on a fellow student and one of our clinical instructors during school.

Also- I don't think it would be unreasonable to decline to be "practiced on." You (or anyone) should not be required to have people (experienced or not) attempt IV starts or blood draws on you without a medical need. There are complications that can occur from poor technique, and putting you in that position is not appropriate. I want to empower you to say No if this is a concern for you. Do NOT feel like you can't speak up and advocate for yourself.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

We don't do IV sticks where I am. Or phlebo. I think it depends on where you work. 

[LibraNurse27, BSN, RN]

I don't think any hospital would require you to be poked for other people to practice. If you take a phlebotomy course students often have to do a certain number of sticks on each other. I let people I orient practice on me a couple times, but I have great veins and I stop them if it's going south LOL but you have no obligation to let anyone practice on you = )