tdstines1

Okay, maybe I just suck but I am having no luck with IV sticks on the trauma side. I had only slight trouble on the non-emergent side of the ED but now that I am orienting to the trauma side, I just can't hit anything without either blowing it or not getting it at all. It is really hard and I know that most likely it is the size of the catheter and the vasoconstricted or really cold patients that we get, but when someone is actively dying (as you all know) you don't have time to do much but just stick and get it in the best you can. My preceptor, although she is excellent, has been a nurse for a very long time and has no trouble with this at all. SHe could stick with her eyes blindfolded and hands tied behind her back and get one every time. I have developed a complex about it and now most of the time just psych myself out before I ever attempt. I worked in the Neonatal ICU before transferring and it is way easier to hit a 2lb babies veins, you can see every one of them. I can't get used to feeling for a vein I can't see and sticking blindly basically. Besides, I can feel the veins good without gloves and then sometimes not at all with gloves. I AM NOT going to rip the finger off my gloves either. I'm having the same trouble with femoral artery sticks for blood gases. Any suggestions?