Nexiva IV Catheters

Nurses New Nurse

Published

Specializes in Cardiac, Acute/Subacute Rehab.

I'm trying not to develop a complex here...

I'm a new grad (May), working on a tele unitwith 95% cardiac pts...tons of CP r/o MI, a-fib, pre-CABG, PPD/ICD placement kinds-of-pts. The cath lab asks for 2 INT's, at least 20G...CV surgeons want an 18G.

The same month I started, the facility started stocking a new IV catheter - Nexiva. It's virtually bloodless (which it great), but it has a tendency to blow the veins. It has it's own kind of technique for insertion. Enough nurses complained about the tendency to blow a vein, so they are now giving us back the Jelcos. We have the choice of using either, but I like the cleanliness of the Nexiva catheter.

MY problem is that I can't hit a vein with EITHER to save my life. I've attempted probably 30-35 sticks and hit 2. 2!!!!! 1 Jelco, 1 Nexiva. I'm off of orientation, but this is starting to really SUCK!!! I hate that I have to ask my co-workers (who are REALLY great about the whole thing) to try.

Does anyone else use these? Can you give me any tips? Has anyone else taken a while to find a groove?

Thanks!!!

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