Question about nursing school and shots

AuntieRN · Dec 3, 2006

I think it may depend on your school or something. We were not allowed to practice on each other...but I have read here that some students in different programs have practiced on each other. I hate needles too....and what really stinks is I was just diagnosed with diabetes and have to test my blood sugars twice a day....

Good luck to you!!!

WDWpixieRN, RN · Dec 3, 2006

Also not allowed to stick each other...I, too, have read where other schools have done that...

And you know what else? My family wouldn't allow me to practice on them, either!!

I used oranges and the school's plastic/foam dummy parts....I DETEST needles, so you'll do just fine!!

Hnebun · Dec 3, 2006

You also have to think about the fact that most (if not all) of the needles used to practice with aren't knitting needles size :uhoh21: , they are very, very small, like insulin needles.

Also, it took me 15 yearsto start getting over my fear, but I finally realized, it wasn't the needle I was fearing when I got an injection, it was the medicine that was going thru it (that burned and caused the pain).

Granted, there are things like CT I.V.'s that arent the highlight of anyones day! :lol2:

But, one thing I tend to focus on as I start my nursing program in the coming months, is that after nursing school, I am the one giving the shots and not on the receiving end! And that will make myself (and YOU!) more compassionate when it comes to injections.

Hope this helps you!

PurrRN · Dec 3, 2006

Just completing my first semester of NS and YES we were required to stick each other for practice. We used 0.5 ml of a saline solution and had to inject in the deltoid with proper landmarking (under instructor supervision, so they could witness that we were performing correctly). Also, next semester we start our IV instruction and practicum. FUN!!!!!! LOL

Just my school experience, obviously other schools have different requirements as you can see from above.

blueyesue · Dec 3, 2006

I'm not in the core classes yet, but I heard my school has some professors who have you practice on them. They have a vested interest in making sure you know what you're doing. :lol2:

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Dec 3, 2006

We practiced SQ injection, ID, and we could volunteer for IM ( no one did though).

That was first semester and in the second we started IV stuff and I started to people in my skills lab.

So yes, we did practice on real people, but it was voluntarily, and if you didn't let someone do you, the others weren't obligated to let you try it on them.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Dec 4, 2006

See I can't imagine that. We've demoed the techniques and can do it if we ever have a patient who has a shot ordered, but so far, no luck. I don't mind getting stuck if it's someone who knows what they're doing. I just believe that you have to distract or relax a patient so they can get the shot. Acute care is going to be a whole different ballgame next semester.

smk1, LPN · Dec 4, 2006

we signed a release allowing us to practice SC, and intradermals on eah others. IV/IM not allowed. you could refuse to sign the sheet (though it was obviously frowned upon), but if you refused to be stuck, then they wouldn't let you practice on anyone else either.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Dec 4, 2006

We had to give IM injections to each other in my nursing school in order to pass medication administration in our lab before we were allowed to give an IM to a patient. We used a sterile syringe and needle with sterile saline in it. It was given in the butt and under the direct supervision of one of the nursing instructors.

cherokeesummer · Dec 4, 2006

In our school we did practice just one on each other, it was insulin needles though, very small and not a bad thing but then again, I've been a type I diabetic for 18 years. LOL!

We are not allowed to practice IV's on each other though...thank goodness!

OnTheRoad · Dec 4, 2006

I am quite thankful we are not allowed to practice on each other. One of my fellow students took the dart throwing analogy too literally and while practicing on the dummies repeatedly started his dart throw from a foot or more away! :eek: