RN thinking of quitting job b/c of IV's.

[Phe12]

Hi all,

Im gonna start out with the basics. I'm 24, been a nurse for right at 2 years. I've had three nursing jobs so far. I've been at my new one for around 2 1/2 months. I also had a stroke a birth so my right side is weaker than my left. I say that because nursing school was hell for me because I had to learn differently from everyone else because I have very limited use/dexterity in that right hand. Most skills I have become decent at. However, IV's are my weakest link. I do really well threading because it's one handed, not so well with connecting the tubing. My new job is an infusion clinic where we do iv's and ports all day long( I was not aware of how many iv's because we are a cancer center". I SUCK. Their equipment is different(harder for me to use) and no one is helpful. If I don't get an iv I feel like the worst nurse ever. The nurses are mean and one literally cusses at me. It's getting to me. Advice please. Thinking of going back to my old job, especially since I'm pregnant now and they would reinstate my hire date so that I would qualify for 12 weeks off with my baby.

[Libby1987]

The primary skill required should be your area of expertise, or at least expertise should be possible within a reasonable amount of time. If realistically you aren't going to become proficient within the standard time frame, even adding some time to accomdate your disability, then I don't think you're suitable for the position.

I thought chemo was a concern for pregnant nurses? If that's true, are you going to need/do you need special accommodations for that as well?

I think I would take the med surg position back and stick long enough to demonstrate a good work pattern then find something fitting for both your limitation as well as family friendly. That 2-3 year investment could pay off wonderfully for you, your marriage and your family for the remainder of your career. I would browse the types of positions you would like to do long term i.e. case mgmt, and see the type and length of experience they require and then get it done.

[Nursewifemom]

Two things. I agree with a previous poster, ask the pt to apply pressure, I'm sure if they're able they won't care. I've been in a bind and had to ask the pt to hand me tape or other supplies I hadn't planned on needing. If getting blood everywhere is an issue, throw a chuck under the limb you're poking. Our iv start kits come with them. Second thing, in our state it's a thing that employers have to assist disabilities. If you need extensions sets to do your job efficiently then they should provide them. Maybe ask around in HR? If you still can't manage then yes, I would just go back to the old job.

[anchorRN, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I worked with a nurse who was in her first stages of MS. It was sad really, great girl, great nurse. She started losing strength in her hands and had issues connecting tubing also. She would use hemostats to lightly grasp the tubing to secure it. It worked well for her and she never needed an extra set of hands. This was about 10 years ago I wonder what happened to her...

[HappyKYRN]

Phebia??

I went to school with you!

#1, don't let somebody cuss at you! Talk to your manager about the whole situation. You have the right to be comfortable at work and whoever is talking to you like that deserves to be disciplined! And maybe when talking to the manager, there will be another solution for you. Idk if there's different equipment that could be made available, or anything like that. But maybe that's a possibility!

But on the other hand, those 12 weeks off for baby sounds really great. That's a really important decision!

I wish you the best of luck whichever route you choose :) I was always in awe of how well you did in nursing school, you were always upbeat and never seemed to be bothered by the effects of your stroke. I'm sure you've been an inspiration to a lot of people along the way, and you deserve to be happy!

[Sour Lemon]

I went to school with you!

Aww, the OP might not wish to be identified by name on an internet message board. Consider editing it out??

[Cat365]

Do the people that cuss at you ask you why you can't do your IV things? If someone, the same person, kept requesting me to do something for them without telling me why to help me understand if they're a slacker or if they really have a sort of disorder, I'd be really pissed. If you told me "Hey, can you help me with something? My right side is weaker than my left. I can do the rest, I just need help with this one thing." I would have been like yeah sure. But if you said "I need help with this" because you want to text on your phone, I'd find a way to transfer or find a way to get you fired for dicking off.

If you explain something to someone you want help from, you can REALLY go a long way. Same with teaching someone. If you explain to them in a certain way without coming off as a rude *****, you'd go a long way.

If you have a form of paralysis on your right side at birth, how is that your fault? It's not. So, if you're afraid to speak up, why be afraid? Just say something. If they got a ******* problem, they can take it to your boss. And your boss will want to know and then you can tell them "I have a disability in my right side of my body and this employee cuss me out and called me one arm or retard or whatever and he had a problem with it."

It's no ones fault that you have a problem on your right side. It's not your fault because you said you were born with it or whatever so it is what it is! If you have medical documentation that can prove it, you should have employees looking out for you while you do your job.[/quote u

The cussing is obviously not appropriate. However, this seems to be a large portion of the job. I would be annoyed if a coworker constantly was interrupting my work so I could do a portion of his. His handicap is not his fault, but taking a job were his handicap is such a handicap is.

For example i personally cannot stand for extended periods of time because my body will not physically tolerate it. I can walk all day, but not stand. I will never be a surgical nurse for this reason. My surgical rotations in clinicals were torture even though I found them fascinating.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

We have an IV team, I put in no IVs. I would like to learn, but it is much easier on the patients for an expert to do it.