Practicing NG Tube on each other?

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2012

I have never once heard of practicing NG tubes on other students, and I would see no reason to do so. Everyone has nostrils, an esophagus and a stomach. Inserting an NG really isn't that hard and it's not a skill that you need to practice on a real person in order to master. I wouldn't worry about this being an issue. You can always politely refuse to participate if the issue arises.

Sun0408, ASN, RN · Apr 26, 2012

We did not do that on each other in my RN program, nor did we do shot, IV's etc.. We did do bed baths on each other but we were fully clothed and no real water was used.. Its all about technique :)

guest042302019, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2012

I've heard of this. My teacher told us when she was in nursing school they used to do that. To feel what the patient felt. I imagine you'll have a simulation, life like person to practice on. Refusal is what I would do if I wasn't comfortable if you're school still practices this. With insurance and lawsuits, I'd be surprised though. Including practicing IVs and such on each other.

morningstarRN, RN · Apr 26, 2012

In my RN program we practiced bed baths on each other with shorts and t shirts, IV starts, Injections, and much more. We did not do NG tubes. We were told we could decline the practice if we were uncomfortable with it. I have to say even though some were not comfortable they did not want to stand out and decline to be used in the practice. We all took deep breaths and went for it. :) Quite the experience but it sure did leave us with some funny memories.

pjharrelson · Apr 26, 2012

Thank you so much!! I was really starting to be a little upset about it....I didn't know if I could refuse and still pass if it actually came down to it. I was wondering about the insurance aspect of it, some of the practicing could get a little costly if a mistake was made. I'm not even for sure what all a LPN is required to learn/can do here. So I'm not even sure if it would come up...but I was still worried lol. Thank you all again!

RLtinker, LPN · Apr 26, 2012

Nope. We have dummies for that.

bbgirlmil · Apr 26, 2012

We used dummies for this. No practicing of shots on each other either r|t risk of hepatitis. You will do just fine!

AZMOMO2 · Apr 26, 2012

We used the manikins in lab for NGT placement. Also most schools have done away with even practicing IV insertion on each other as well. That tends to be saved for clinical in most cases due to liability.

We did however practice positioning and assessments on each other.

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2012

I've heard of this. My teacher told us when she was in nursing school they used to do that. To feel what the patient felt.

Yikes! Using that logic, we all need to experience lumbar punctures, chest tubes, foley's and enemas!!

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2012

I've never heard of having to practice NG tube insertion on each other in school. Most schools these days have simulation labs and you put one in the dummy's nose to practice.

And Ashley makes a good point... placing an NG tube is not like placing an IV. You just need to know how to measure the tube and there's not much to it. You put it in the nostril and push until you get to the correct measurement, there's not much "technique" to it.

I did know nurses on my old floor who let new nurses drop one on them because they wanted to see what it felt like. They allowed it to happen once and only once. I would not allow anyone to come near me with an NG tube!

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2012

I went to school in the dark ages and although we practiced IV's on each other as well as injections. The experimentation stopped there. We got our positioning and and bathing/bedmaking at the local nursing home.