Should new grad be able to start IV at work?

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 21, 2007

The best way to learn anything is to just dive on in - I never had a class, I started an IV on a classmate and during NS I started ONE IV on a real live patient.

I work ER now, I start 10+ IV's a day and like any skill, practice makes perfect. I was scared to death at first, fumbled all around but eventually I got my groove and now there are very few people I won't be willing to at least try an IV site on them.

Dolce, RN · Dec 21, 2007

hi
i graduated in may of this year and i learned how to start an iv in a lab in school where we practiced with fake arm, never start an iv on a real patient in a real world. at work, where i currently work in nursing home, if my patient needs iv started, i ask one of the other nurses i'm working with to start an iv for me, but i'm very embarrsed by it. i feel like as a new grad and licensed nurse i need to be able to start an iv on my own patient. iv class was not included in a general orientation. i feel so stupid and incompetent.
as a new grad and start working in a real world setting, did you guys start iv on your own patient? or did you have to take an iv class to learn how to do it? nowdays in hospital settings they have iv teams who will start iv's, draw blood etc.. . do you think i should just suck it up? any suggestions?

you have nothing to be embarrassed about. of course you are not expected to be a pro at getting ivs as a new grad. this is a skill that is perfected with practice. you need to make it your goal to start as many ivs as possible. give yourself two tries and if you can't get it then get the experienced nurse. tell your co-workers that you want to start ivs and have them help you. don't be discouraged! you'll get it!

Ivanna_Nurse, BSN, RN · Dec 21, 2007

I am also a new grad and work in ICU. It seems like EVERY pt I have had lately has bad veins or only one, and I dont want to blow it! For awhile I asked my coworkers, and then it dawned on me- my pt doesn't know that they are my first IV stick, or my third, or fifth or whatever. Your pts trust you and are confident in your ability to care for them, (IV starts too!) Bring your confidence with you and take every opportunity that you can. (Sounds hard, I know :) )

Remember when you first started nsg. school? I am sure that there was plenty of things that made you nervous, and you got through them, right? Some of those things you feared, you have mastered and are quite proficient in! For me, I was terrified of trying to make an occupied bed. With practice, I am a pro. I know that someday I will have IV experience under my belt, and YOU will too!

I hope that knowing that you aren't alone makes it a little better... Ivanna

xokelly2 · Dec 21, 2007

I agree with the pp.

I'm still no IV expert but the only way I felt comfortable doing them was to volunteer to try everyone (within reason) Practice is the only thing that will make pefect.

lpnstudentin2010, LPN · Dec 21, 2007

The hospital I am a patient at has, in my opinion, a very good policy.

New grads can not start IV's on patients. They need to go through training and pass an examination to be able to do so. this may be due to the fact that it is a childrens hospital.

I may also like this policy because when I am in the hospital I usually need my IV changed atleast once due to infiltration. Also, my veins are horrible and hard to find and needles freak me out so knowing that someone has shown that they can do it is a relief to me.

CritterLover, BSN, RN · Dec 21, 2007

most employers don't have an iv classes for rns. some might, as part of a comprehensive new-grad orientation; none of my employers ever offered that.

it was expected that i had been exposed to starting ivs in school (and i was). i was given as much supervision as needed to be "checked off" on the skill.

i've never worked ltc as a nurse, though. however, i wouldn't think they would expect you to be comfortable with the skill yet. exposed to it, yes; proficient, no.

as for needing help starting ivs, i'm going to be blunt: you'll never learn if you don't start trying. instead of asking someone else to start your ivs, ask them to talk you through it.

ltc patients can be some of the toughest to get ivs into, so don't be hard on yourself if it takes you a while to catch on. try not to get too frustrated. there are a couple of threads on here (i think in the iv forum and the er forum) that offer great tips for starting ivs. just remember that what works for some may not work for you. i have some "unconventional" ways of starting ivs and have gotten negative comments from others about it. i don't pay any attention to it -- i'm successful with what i do, and it isn't "poor" technique, it is just different.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f18/iv-tips-tricks-3793.html

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Dec 21, 2007

You are a nurse. You need to start these IVs the sooner the better. Go in acting like you've done these for the past twenty years, that they are routine, and approach the task with confidence. Not only will it make the PATIENT feel confident, but it will make YOU feel confident as well!

You CAN do this! SEE yourself doing this successfully in m your mind's eye, and you WILL be successful.

And no matter HOW many IVs we've started in our careers, ALL of us will miss one from time to time.. so don't worry about it.

Grab every IV start you can. :)

allnurses Guide · Dec 21, 2007

It should have been part of your orientation. That seems weird to me that your hospital didn't help you out there.

Yes, you should be able to start IV's and I would go to my supervisor and ask for help. Then dive in.

It is scary - but everyone here is giving good advice. Practice, practice, and more practice.

Best wishes!

steph

GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN · Dec 21, 2007

We never started IV's in nsg school,a LOT of theory ,but little practicum. I think we took a class in orientation ( it's been a long time!) I do remember the nursing educator had to observe us start 3 #18 jelco's, we got signed off and were 'certified', no phlebotomy teaching, that was learn as you go...I don't know GN vs RN I started my first job after I passed the boards, so I was already licensed.Today the new grads practice on any of us willing to be guinea pigs, and of course the pts., you gotta just jump in and go for it you may surprise yourself and learn to LOVE it !

bagladyrn, RN · Dec 21, 2007

Ask your coworkers who are really experienced to "save" those patients with the best veins for you to start, or those who only need a small gauge IV for intermittent antibiotics or such. After some success with these you will feel more confidence in attempting the more challenging ones.

pkapple · Dec 21, 2007

Ok folks, from the ops profile -education is as an lpn/lvn. It does not say what state she is in, but many states only allow lpn iv cert after taking a class. Here in FL it is required that an lpn take a 30 hour course and get supervised sign offs, even then it is still up to facility policy how and when an lpn does iv starts/meds.

Don't ever feel stupid gradnurse. You will only learn by watching, listening and doing. Check with your facility policy and if lpns need a class-ask your NM about taking one.