ctruscott

I've been at day surgery clinic for 2 1/2 years and being the preop nurse means starting IVs is one of my critical skills. Our clinic is small and I only get the chance to start about 16 IVs a month. Needless to say, my skills are still that of beginner nurse level. I have lost confidence lately because I blew 4 starts in one day and we only had 5 IVs to start to begin with. Now every time I try to start one, I pretty much blow it. I am seriously considering giving up my job because my IVs are so sketchy. I've watched other nurses start IVs, I've ordered an IV arm model to help me, and other than taking a full-fledged phlebotomy course (which I don't need all the blood draw info, just venipuncture) I don't know what else to do. I'm very self conscious about not being good at this. I absolutely love doing the IVs, but seriously I think I'm a very incompetent nurse because I haven't mastered this yet. I should mention that I only started doing IVs for the first time since 2013. HELP - quickly because I am going to give my notice by end of September if I cannot get some answers.

I got my ADN in 2011. I have very little clinical experience. I landed a wonderful job in an ambulatory care center and am responsible for starting IVs on our patients in preop. I have been in this capacity for 18 months. My IV skills don't seem to be reaching the point where I feel certain I can stick everyone. Our clinic only has about 9-12 patients A MONTH that need IVs for general surgery. In my 18 months, that amounts to about 216 venipunctures, 90% of those performed by me. I don't have records for successful sticks, but believe I was successful 85% of that 90% or 165 sticks. I still have trouble palpating a vein, and prefer to choose one that is obvious VERY OBVIOUS. Should I focus on continuing to practice and increase the number of sticks, or is there a competent feeling that you get after so many years, months, sticks? I feel very frustrated and INCOMPETENT. Have talked to the supervisor, she thinks I should have more certainty by now.

I've been studying for my NCLEX-RN using Exammaster online and also Saunders Review. I may invest in Kaplan review course. My question is-how do I know when I am ready for the NCLEX? I am assuming if I do Kaplan, they have a pre and post-test that will give me an idea of how ready I am. I feel ready in most areas except pharmacology and drug interactions. Any comments?

WOW! Well said and I couldn't agree with you more. I've always marveled at the fact that nurses pretty much run the course of the hospital stay for the patient, and here we can't be trusted to treat a 'medical diagnosis'. I believe a nursing diagnosis helps to understand the causative factor and related etiologies, etc; but really, like you said, isn't pneumonia what we are treating? I agree this part of nursing needs to be looked at and seriously considered for tossing out. I have never seen it in use on a medical floor. Have you?

Nurse430, What is Rob's CPNE DVD? I am rounding up as many study aids as I can find, but am not familiar with this one! Thanks

You have received a lot of replies to your message, all encouraging you. I am 57 years young and got my LPN just 4 years ago. Started my Associate's R.N. in 2008 through Excelsior College and am scheduled to wrap that up by end of this year. In a work of God, I am working as a nurse sonographer doing limited OB ultrasounds. I spent 3 years searching for my niche in nursing and I'm closing the gap. I never gave up and I never will. Go for your dream, work hard, get the basics down even if you have to take one class at a time and at a snail's pace. There will always be a place for dedicated, passionate people (yes, even MALE NURSES!) in the world and you are one of them! Celebrate your choice and don't listen to the critics. Invite your supporters and believers to your graduation!