OMG.Do Nursing students really practice on eachother??

[AspiringNurse7]

I entered "nursing school" on youtube and came across a few videos of nursing students practicing Iv's and injections on one another.I had no idea this was done in nursing school! What if a student makes a mistake and you get injured? Ok im being negative..But what if?? Are the students skillfull enough to practice on one another so early into the program??

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

We did everything on each other that one could do clothed except IVs, NGs, blood draws. We did do sq & IM injections on each other as well.

Our teachers assistant stripped down to her bra & panties (no guys in that particular class) & let us do skin, pulmonary, & abdominal assessments on her. She was a brave gal. Of course, she also had a body that most folks would envy.

[eccentricRN]

We did all our assessments & bed baths on each other. Most invasive procedures we did on dummies. We had an optional IV start night in which we could sign up, sign waivers & practice on each other & our poor instructors. It was a great learning tool, as we learned what it felt like to be on the receiving end, plus our instructors gave good tips. I believe everyone in my class opted to go to it, but it was NOT mandatory. I think doing the assessments & other things on your fellow classmates gives you an idea just how uncomfortable som things can be & gives you insight into how your future patients may be feeling. Overall it was a good experience & you were all in the same boat. It's not as bad as you may think.

[eccentricRN]

To be frank, I wouldn't let anyone practice on me.

Yet once you start clinicals you are counting on patients to allow you to practice on them.... is that really fair?