School and sterile gloving

[XalieHealbot]

I am testing for the second time on Monday on changing a dry wound dressing. I failed my first attempt on sterile gloving. The gloves were stuck together. What is the best method to not break sterility and be able to glove on the first try? Any tips, tricks or ideas are appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Note this school gives you 2 attempts at a skill and if you don't make it on the second attempt, you are forced to withdraw.

Nursing student losing her mind

[203bravo, MSN, APRN]

I have this happen all the time with the brand of sterile gloves that come as part of our sterile suction catheter kits. OP, here's what I do: I pinch each glove through the sterile packaging (my fingers/hands touching only the *outside* of the sterile paper packaging) and pull them apart. This maintains sterility of the inside surface of the packaging and the gloves themselves. Then I get on with sterile gloving as normal.

Good point.. hadn't considered that since I never use the gloves that are included inside any of the kits... they are the first thing that gets tossed.. they don't fit me anyway.. so I also bring in a separate pair of sterile gloves.

[XalieHealbot]

It's just a school policy which I will try to eliminate before its over. You get one set of practice materials and supplies and 2 attempts at any skill. Failure on the second try us an immediate course failure. No exceptions. I want to have this changed, not just for me but everyone. I understand if you try dozens of times and can't get it that you might not be ready or able.

[emmjayy, BSN, RN]

I think it's really dumb that you only get one set of practice supplies to work with. Sterile field stuff is so picky and technical and it doesn't really help you to re-use the same set of things over and over and "just pretend" to be re-opening and setting things up. Do you have a chance to turn in an evaluation of the course? If so, maybe you should put down a suggestion that they be a bit more generous with the practice supplies in the future.

I have a lab practical coming up where one of the things we might be tested on is sterile technique. The only tip I have for you is to take it as slow as you need to and think things through before you make a move. Sure, we see nurses in the hospital fly through setting up a sterile field and make it look like a piece of cake to do, but we're not there yet and that's okay.

[XalieHealbot]

I think it's really dumb that you only get one set of practice supplies to work with. Sterile field stuff is so picky and technical and it doesn't really help you to re-use the same set of things over and over and "just pretend" to be re-opening and setting things up. Do you have a chance to turn in an evaluation of the course? If so, maybe you should put down a suggestion that they be a bit more generous with the practice supplies in the future.

I have a lab practical coming up where one of the things we might be tested on is sterile technique. The only tip I have for you is to take it as slow as you need to and think things through before you make a move. Sure, we see nurses in the hospital fly through setting up a sterile field and make it look like a piece of cake to do, but we're not there yet and that's okay.

Yes, there is a course evaluation at the end. I will rate it as I experienced it and speak with the Dean of the Nursing program in regards to this specific practice. I even offered to buy more supplies for practice since it is so crucial. I believe that it's an unfair and unrealistic expectation of the students to learn by reuse and imagination.

[bunnehfeet, BSN]

So what my lab partner and I did was buy a box of 50 pair of sterile gloves on amazon (for $25) and we split the cost. We always have fresh gloves to practice (that we reuse a few times too), and I always have an extra pair of sterile gloves in my pocket when I go to skills testing. I have the option of just using mine (which are soft and powdered and never stick), or if I open theirs and have an issue (or break a glove which I did once), I can reglove without leaving the bedside. I would ask if you're allowed to do this, my professors thought it was a good idea. You can't get good at gloving if you don't practice and reusing one set of gloves over and over won't do it. This also happens in the clinical setting - gloves stick, gloves fail, you always have another pair there. Testing should be like real life, take the pressure off yourself and always have backup gloves.

[XalieHealbot]

So what my lab partner and I did was buy a box of 50 pair of sterile gloves on amazon (for $25) and we split the cost. We always have fresh gloves to practice (that we reuse a few times too), and I always have an extra pair of sterile gloves in my pocket when I go to skills testing. I have the option of just using mine (which are soft and powdered and never stick), or if I open theirs and have an issue (or break a glove which I did once), I can reglove without leaving the bedside. I would ask if you're allowed to do this, my professors thought it was a good idea. You can't get good at gloving if you don't practice and reusing one set of gloves over and over won't do it. This also happens in the clinical setting - gloves stick, gloves fail, you always have another pair there. Testing should be like real life, take the pressure off yourself and always have backup gloves.

That's a great idea but I tried to get gloves for this test and the time frame was over the holiday. I test on Monday. I've called every medical supply facility near me and there are none. I just need luck, prayers and a good set of gloves at random opening. Luck is what I need now for the immediate future. Thank you all. I will post my results after Mon night.

[LessValuableNinja]

If it isn't too late, request separate gloves that are not part of a kit, if they came as part of a kit. The ones in kits usually are not great. I always use a separate pair.

[LessValuableNinja]

Fyi, most skills labs will have separate gloves in addition to ones that are part of the kit. Can't hurt to ask. Get there early and do your best Puss n Boots expression from Shrek.

[LessValuableNinja]

How'd it go?

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

I just took my one pair of sterile gloves that came in my supplies and pretended they were sterile and practiced opening and putting them on over and over again.

It takes practice, that is all.

[XalieHealbot]

I did that same thing. I did pass my test, thank God. Onward I go on my nursing journey.

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

I did that same thing. I did pass my test, thank God. Onward I go on my nursing journey.

Congratulations! I know I probably would have been failed if my school had a test like that. I had such a struggle with sterile gloving. At work, I still have problems because the cuff on our gloves folds over the entrance of the thumb so things get a little weird. With practice it got better but I still have a little dread when I have to do things with sterile gloves.