Skills practice....on each other?

[zzisaac]

Just curious if nursing programs are still allowing students to practice injections with normal saline on each other?

We we have stopped allowing students to practice IV insertion on each other, but are currently debating pros/cons of allowing IM/SQ injections. Thoughts?

[iggywench, BSN, RN]

My program did not allow us to practice any invasive procedures on each other. We injected a foam "pillow" with saline to practice IM and SQ injections, and learned to draw blood and start IV's on a mannequin arm.

[Courtney Nurse Writer, BSN]

Same. Mannequin for IVs. Oranges for injections. I think there is nothing like someone's actual arm for an IV start though. The mannequins are just not realistic enough. I think as long as everyone is consented it should be allowed. Wonder why not? Is there some type of liability against it?

[Julius Seizure]

The only thing we practiced on rah other was a physical assessment.

Oh, and blood sugar finger sticks, with consent.

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

In 2001 I went to school for my LPN. We practiced on Oranges. They wouldn't let us use each other, voluntary or not.

I graduate my RN program next month. Only did IVs in bridge program for invasive skills- we got mannequins with track marks. Again, not allowed to use each other

Even our physical assessments were on the mannequin for the RN program. However, the LPN program we used each other....and some got advice to see their PCP for a followup due to abnormal findings.

[cjcsoon2bnp, MSN, RN, NP]

My program didn't allow us to practice procedures on each other (with the exception of physical assessment) and we didn't learn IV placement at all. I think that IV placement should be a part of nursing education in my opinion but I know that a lot of programs don't teach that skill. I'm not sure if I would want students practicing injecting each other with saline (IM/SC), I think that mannequins would be sufficient for practice in the lab setting.

!Chris