I'm not a pediatric nurse, but I work in a rural hospital where all age groups and illnesses are thrown together on the same floor. In 15 years I've never started an IV on a pediatric pt. ER does it, day shift does it,..... I've just always managed to avoid the situation. The other night an IV infiltrated on an 11 month old. I KNEW I could not successfully start that IV. That's not psyching myself out, it is simply a statement of fact. I would have unnecessarily stuck that baby just for the sake of saying that I tried. After several hours, the IV did get started, after 6 attempt by staff...none of us are pediatric nurses. ER has experience, and there are some nurses on the floor who are better at it than others. The supervisor was angry that I didn't "try" Do those of you who are pediatric nurses feel it's appropriate to practice IV sticks on babies? As a parent, I would be outraged if an inexperienced med/surg nurse was poking needles in my child.