Practicing on each other

Achoo!, LPN · Feb 28, 2004

I haven't gotten to that, but in my medical assistant classes we practiced shots and blood draws on each other.

MishlB · Feb 28, 2004

I don't understand why people are "shocked" when reading that students practice on students. You would rather enter clinicals and stick a frightened child, or a dehydrated elderly woman with not a vein in sight?? You need a little practice, even if it's one or two sticks, before you attempt a real patient, even if it's just to get the look of fright off your face. At least we could say, "no, this is not my first time."

RedSox33RN · Feb 28, 2004

I wouldn't mind being practiced on, since I'm diabetic and used to finger sticks, IV's, etc. I think I'd prefer to practice blood draws and IV's on a real person who isn't sick, at first. I think that bit of pressure would be off and you could concentrate on technique, not getting the blood to the lab quickly.

But I must say - a catheter - no way! :lol:

sox04 · Mar 1, 2004

Mish I was not shocked because I thought it is a bad idea, it just surprised me because I had not really heard of all of these different things being practiced on each other before. I'm not saying I think its a bad idea, in fact I wouldn't mind having people practice on me at all, and I also would like to practice on a real person too.

truern · Mar 1, 2004

MishlB, my favorite response when a patient asks how many times i've done a certain procedure: "i can't count the times i've ______" because most times i can't count them, as i've never done it :)

not "exactly" a fib :)

Gompers, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2004

In my school we weren't allowed to do this. They used to, but then when HIV and hepatitis became so widespread, they decided it was safer to stop. We practiced on the fake arms and all that, of course. They also said we'd be trained on the job, and the school even didn't want to let us practice on patients in clinicals!!! Maybe they were afraid of being sued by a nervous student who fumbled and ended up with a needlestick? We all thought it was awful because we wanted to practice so bad! They told us if we really wanted experience before graduation, to go take a phlebotomy class at a community college over the summer. On my first job, during the hospital orientation they had two whole days for the new RNs to take IV classes and practice on each other. I was excepmt because I was going into NICU and there we don't even get to try for six months.

Sorry for the rambling post! BTW, this was a 4-year BSN program, and I graduated six years ago.

tylerlvn · Mar 2, 2004

We practiced on fake arms in at school. Now that I am in clinicals I have done IV's and injections many times. The instructors always tells the patient that we are students and are learning and that there is a possibilty that if we do not "get it" with the first stick that they will then take over and do it (with IV's). Some people say "no way! your not practicing on me!" and that's fine. I really understand. If they do not want me to do it I just watch my instructor and try to learn as much as I can about the procedure. The first IV I ever put in - I was scared to death. I literally had sweat running down my face! The patient kept telling me "Your doing a great job. You are going to be fine. You are going to be a great nurse. BREATH" He was great. If I live to 100 I will never forget that guy. The patients and the nurses at the hospital I do clinicals at are great. I have been so lucky.

belladelicious · Mar 2, 2004

No fair! We're not allowed. My teacher said ever since the 80s, and HIV, they've stopped doing any practice like that w/anything involving needles. Oh well:( Giving injections, I don't think it's necessary that you practice on a student first. But, I wish I could practice inserting an iv on a student first..but oh well.

MishlB · Mar 2, 2004

No fair! We're not allowed. My teacher said ever since the 80s, and HIV, they've stopped doing any practice like that w/anything involving needles. Oh well:( Giving injections, I don't think it's necessary that you practice on a student first. But, I wish I could practice inserting an iv on a student first..but oh well.

Umm, so are you going to stick any of your patients?? We are at risk every day, and don't know who has something and who doesn't. You protect yourself just like you would with a patient. Am I missing something?? :uhoh21:

sonja24 · Mar 2, 2004

I know when I was in an EMT-Intermediate class we had to do blood draws on each other. And even that didn't help. Not everyone has good veins to stick unfortuately.I was successful in class but sucked when I tried to do it at the hospital :uhoh3: . Go figure. I hate IV's, but blood draws aren't bad.

lpn2bdec2004 · Mar 2, 2004

We practice everything on each other at our school. IV's,ID's,IM's, and SQ's. The whole sha-bang. I've done everything except for the IV's. I'm a little nervous for that.

sabRN2b05, BSN, RN · Mar 2, 2004

At my school, we are only allowed to do SQ injections (NS) on each other. We use manequins for everything else (catheters, blood admin, IV's). I really wish we'd get to practice on each other, but I guess there are liability issues.