How many residents does it take to start an IV?

Nurses Humor

Published

Resident: "So you take the patient into the examining room...."

Med student: "Examining room... got it..."

Resident: "Have them sign the consent form..."

Med student: "Consent form... okay..."

Resident: "Then you go ahead and get an IV started...."

Med Student: "You're kidding."

Resident: "What?"

Med student: "Um, I don't know how to start an IV."

Other resident in room: "Me either."

Resident: "Well, you can give it a try."

Med student: "Seriously, I've done it like, once. I could maybe draw blood if I had to, but there's no way I can start an IV."

Resident: "Actually, I don't really know how to do it either."

How many residents does it take to start an IV? Clearly more than 3.

Editorial Team / Admin

Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN

6 Articles; 11,663 Posts

Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

I call bull. It doesn't take any residents to start an IV. They let the nurse do it.

Specializes in Addictions, psych, corrections, transfers.

You better believe it!

nrsang97, BSN, RN

2,602 Posts

Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

No residents to start an IV, they call a nurse.

allnurses Guide

Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN

11,304 Posts

Interns learn to do this kind of stuff. Draw labs, start IV's, etc.

Not sure why this thread made it on to FB.

Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

There are nurses who don't start IVs. Like anything, it's a skill, and if you don't practice it regularly you become rusty. Residents/MDs don't typically start IVs that frequently. But they also perform other tasks more competently than I do.

We are all equally important members of a healthcare team. I don't see why it's necessary to make fun of residents because they don't often start IVs.

allnurses Guide

Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN

11,304 Posts

I agree Ashley.

Specializes in Emergency Room.

Residents can start ultrasound IV and central lines.

NanikRN

392 Posts

Specializes in Oncology, Rehab, Public Health, Med Surg.

Residents are learning. Maybe they know how to start an IV, maybe they don't. Maybe they did it a blue moon ago and have learned 3 million-jillion things since then. They'll either remember how or they'll call the nurse and s/he will teach them.

Or not, and the nurse will just start the IV. Cause it's what we do *shrug*

I can't see any value to a thread that seems to be all about ridiculing or putting others down.

We as a profession are better than this

Oops-- old thread reopened--sorry

annmcc

6 Posts

Geez, it's a joke guys. Lighten up. If the residents can't take it they are in the wrong profession.

kloveriver

5 Posts

I work with residents and they are very good starting IV. They do an IV and draw lab for us at the same time. When we have a hard time getting IV we ask for help from them in NICU. I saw how they put IV to a premature baby at temporal region and dressing it with a medicine cup to hold the IV. It is a skill to learn from.

cemisciagna1

25 Posts

How many nurses forget where they started? We didn't start off knowing how. It took many tries to gain that experience.

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