mowebs

As an aide in a Virginia hospital in the 90's I practiced phlebotomy after a one hour class and one practice stick. Fortunately I discovered I had a knack for it - much to my suprise, I really like drawing blood. Now I am an LPN in Colorado (graduated nursing school in NJ but took the NCLEX here) and can't figure out how to get IV certified. My school (shame on them!) didn't teach it, they said no need, wherever you work will teach you. That may be true in Jersey but it sure ain't here! I've worked with quite a few nurses who said they got their certification after a 6 hour class at the local community college but apparently things have changed. None of the colleges I've asked do that anymore, they only teach this skill to their nursing students as part of the curriculum. I've found 3 schools in Colorado that offer IV training as a seperate skill set but they are far away and it's a regular full semester class. I work full time (and then some) so that is out of the question. For a one or two day intensive training session I can get a hotel room and work my schedule around it but can't find anything anywhere! Does anyone know of a weekend seminar type of thing anywhere in or near Colorado for IV certification? Any suggestions? This is making me crazy.

Call the school you want to attend and ask them what the prerequisites are. The local community colleges where I lived did have specific prerequisites and also a 3 year waiting list; at 55 and recently unemployed I thought I didn't have time to waste so enrolled in a private technical college. The cost is enormous but no waiting list and very little demands re previous education - high school or GED, and you must pass tests in basic Math and English. People that failed these were offered tutoring to get them up to speed (since they charge 3xs what the community colleges do, they are really anxious to help you.) Community colleges provide a MUCH better educational experience, so at your age I'd make up the classes and get on the intake list, but either way, nursing is very much a "learn on the job" experience. You may find that being male helps you - the school may go out of their way to assist you in order to balance out the gender ratio. Good luck, it sounds like you'll make a wonderful nurse; we need more people with kind hearts and want the profession, not just the job.