Shaking hands

[court811]

Hi, I'm new here and don't know if I put this on the right thread but I need advise ASAP. I have 7 days of school left and have only done one venipuncture and my hands shook, A LOT. does anyone have tips on how to stop this?

[klone, MSN, RN]

Assuming this is not due to medication side effects or some type of neuro issue, then time and confidence will take care of the problem.

[court811]

thing is i dont have time, only 7 days of class. I start my externship in 2 weeks

[klone, MSN, RN]

What do you mean, you don't have time?

The confidence will come in time. Depending on how often you have the opportunity to start IVs, it might not come until you're working as an RN for a year or longer.

[ArtClassRN, ADN, RN]

thing is i dont have time, only 7 days of class. I start my externship in 2 weeks

Your hands will shake...until they don't.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

No one will expect an extern to be good at venipuncture. Many, many experienced RNs are not so great at starting IVs. I'm sure many of the nurses on the floor you'll be on are not so great at it. Its not a deal breaker. They won't be scrutinizing how well you start IVs. They'll be scrutinizing how you react to situations, your assessment and critical thinking skills, how you gel with the staff, stuff like that.

[Wile E Coyote, ASN, RN]

Frankly, a new nurse/extern that's proficient at tasks on day one, is a rare bird indeed. It's expected you'll need polishing.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

It becomes less and less the more you do so force yourself. Practice on coworkers if they will allow it. If that does not work message me and I will give you some other advice privately.

[RNNPICU, BSN, RN]

OP. Since you are new, your hands may shake the first time you have to code a pt, draw up meds quickly, doing any task in an emergent situation. Unless you have a medical condition causing the shakes, the shaking will stop once you have done it over, over, over and over again. Give yourself 6 months of practice, and even then, sometimes in a high level of stress, your hands may shake.

Why do you have to be proficient at venipuncture prior to starting your externship? It would seem a bit odd, especially if you are not an experienced nurse in this field.

Good Luck in your externship.