Shaky hands and IV starts?!

[wbrogers]

Hey all! I'm a first year nursing student (4 year BSN) who is somewhat concerned about IV starts. My hands shake a little more than I would like. It's not even close to a tremor or anything incredibly serious, but I don't think they are "steady." When I hold my hands out straight, they shake a small amount. My question is this: will this interfere in my ability to do IV starts? I am mainly set on being a psych nurse (adult ideally, not geripsych), so my impression is that I won't be doing too many blood draws and IV starts (correct me if I'm wrong.) Thank you! All responses are appreciated.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Even if you plan to be a psych nurse, mastering (or at least being moderately proficient) IV starts is something you will need to accomplish.

I tend to drink a lot of coffee, and I used to take a medication that made my hands slightly trembly. However, I find that when I actually go to start the IV, I usually support the heel of my hand against something as I insert the catheter, which prevents movement. I've never had any problems.

[Abishag]

I have shaky hands naturally as well. I'm a first year RN. I can tell you...shaky hands is the least of your worries.

Catching rolling veins and not blowing crappy ones on the other hand...sigh.

I'm in a hospital that is mainly geriatric (worst veins) and I'm probably around 30 for 50 (in other words I get about 3 out of 5 iv's haha).

[brownbook]

It is simply adrenalin making your hands shake. Any new nurse, new to IV's, is going to be nervous. A small shake won't interfere with an IV start. You can kind of steady your hands on the patient hand or forearm as you are about to insert the cannula. If you overcome your "fears" you will feel proud of yourself. However if you go into psych nursing, you will have little if any need to be proficient at IV's.

[LouisVRN, RN]

I also have shakey hands, no idea why. I can tell you though that after two years on the job, I have no problem getting IV starts. Like other posters have said, you usually have your hand well braced to insert an IV, so its usually a non-issue. Giving IV pushes on the other hand is another story. I've had several pts ask me if I'm all right, and ask if I have low blood sugar, LOL. I blame it on too much starbucks.

[WhiteScrubs]

Ohhh... I once had a clinical instructor call me on having shaky hands during an IV push. She thought I was nervous and belittled me in front of the patient, making the patient totally lose confidence in my abilities... in reality, it was too much coffee. No biggie. :)

I agree with previous posters that stabilizing on the patient's arm allows you to not worry about any shakiness at all. As for the rest of it, like everything, it comes with practice.

[PAERRN20]

I am an ER nurse and have dones thousands of IV starts. I only get shaky on the littlest of babies and toddlers now. You will probably stop shaking once you gain more confidence. Good luck!

[Redhead28]

My hands shake slightly d/t a medication I take. I've started many IV's on all ages. It does not bother the IV starts, but I am slightly self consious about it when I have someone watching. I just tell people I've had too much coffee or have not eaten. I don't think you will have any problems. If you do go into psych you will very rarely have IV's to worry about.

[RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN]

I shake and use to think it'd be a problem, actually my family use to say, "how you going to start IVs with your shaky hands?" It is NOT a problem at all. like other's have said, you pretty much have to steady your hands up against the patients arm or nearby to where you are placing the IV. I generally tell the pt to look away while I stick so they won't see any shaking and to make me less nervous, that usually works fine.

[Yosemite, RN, ASN, EMT-I]

Various methods/techniques of holding your hands, positioning your fingers so that they support one another will usually solve the problem. So often, we emulate how we were shown to hold the cannula. Practice various methods of holding it (not in front of a client!). You will find your "comfort zone!" When you have to venipuncture, ACT confident (even if you're not!). It WILL come with practice... I promise you. You may never be the "one" who can ALWAYS start an IV in a long term diabetic client whose blood pressure has bottomed out, but you WILL improve! Relax!

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

It's the adrenaline rush. That will pass with time!! My hands were extremely shaky when I first starting doing IV's and blood draws but now I don't have a problem. I drink a lot of coffee, though, and if I drink too much sometimes that makes my hands reeeeally jittery and then I have a problem! I wouldn't worry about it too much :)

[MicsterRN]

I formerly had very shaky hands. Turns out hyperthyroidism will do that to ya! After the thyroid got straightened out, my hands steadied up. Ask your doc to check your T3/T4/TSH at your next appt. (Ya never know!)