Nurse of 10 years can't start IV's

[peaceful2100]

I am stuck. I have been a nurse for 10 years and still can not start an IV. How pathetic is that? I have been trying so hard to get a nursing job like case management but apparently many others are trying too. I am currently without a job but need a job. Problem is all the available jobs require IV skills. Stupid me shouldn't have picked nursing. I still have $27,000 worth of student loans so I feel truly, truly stuck. Any suggestions for me on what I can do.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Addendum.. your post starts with "I am stuck".. was that a Freudian slip?

[anon456, BSN, RN]

Yeah I stink at IV's too. But it's a good thing I can think critically, be safe, be a good educator, advocate for my patients, and save lives when needed. I can't be perfect at everything. ;-)

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

OP,

I am so sorry for the loss of your child ((((HUGS)))). My best advice is when you start your new job ask if you can precept with the IV team if they have one. If not can you spend the day in ambulatory surgery to get practice? Also find out if anyone on the floor is good with IVs and shadow them when they are starting an IV. Don't be afraid to try. That is the only way you will get better.

[hurleygirli1]

I would never think less of a floor RN that cannot get an IV in, especially if they are a hard stick renal patient or you cannot see anything to stick when you put on the tourniquet. I get it, you don't have 20 min to sit and feel and investigate/interrogate veins that aren't immediately forthcoming. It's ok. My only gripe is that if you call me to put in your IV and I show up, pop on a tourniquet and a smorgasbord of "easy to hit" veins pop out and you have not even ATTEMPTED it once, I have some issue with that. We actually have a policy that the charge nurse from the floor needs to call us if they need an IV to help identify nurses that call the IV team for every stick. Those RNs are subject to some "re-training." There is one of us on IV team for the whole hospital (450 beds), so please, just attempt it if you see something you can stick! It's ok if you don't get it, but give it a shot....no judgement. That is the only way you get better! :)

[RunBabyRN]

I would take an IV course over phlebotomy, as the skills and equipment are different.