Started my first IV today

Nursing Students General Students

Published

Just wanted to share - in my med surg clinical today I finally started my first successful IV on a pt today - followed by the second successful attempt on a second pt 30 min later! This was after 2 failed attempts over the last 2 weeks in clinical where the site infiltrated or the vein blew. I feel so much better that I can actually place an IV. It made me so happy that I can actually do this - my youngest IV pt was 90 years old, and the oldest 93.

Specializes in Emergency.

NJ1 grlcrus.. just noticed you are from NJ too.. maybe it's a state thing?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats!! I started one this past week and even drew some bloodwork off of the site. It was a great feeling. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm in my 3rd semester of 4. We learned to stick on dummy arms in the beginning of the semester, maybe 3rd week or so. I didn't get an opportunity in those next couple of weeks to try it. Then we went to a children's hospital for peds for 5 weeks and we weren't allowed to even try it there. Now we're back in the adult world, but again no opportunities have arisen. (I think there's only two in my group of 12 who haven't done one yet.) I only have 2 more clinical days at the hospital for the semester. I'm not very optimistic.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
\Then we went to a children's hospital for peds for 5 weeks and we weren't allowed to even try it there.

Consider yourself lucky, our school doesn't offer a peds rotation at all. Our "pediatric clinical" consists of going to public schools and teaching dietary health or sex ed. When I questioned it (as we have a children's hospital in town) I was told that the kids that are in the hospital are REALLY sick and are beyond the scope of practice for student nurses. Fair enough I guess...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Consider yourself lucky, our school doesn't offer a peds rotation at all. Our "pediatric clinical" consists of going to public schools and teaching dietary health or sex ed.

What a shame you don't get a peds rotation. I found out that I really like peds and may end up at that hospital after graduation. It's funny because I was sure I would hate peds, but it was just the opposite. I would never have known if we didn't have that rotation. I admit we didn't do as much hands on skills while there, but we did alot of floating to the OR, PICU, Oncology, etc. My instructor said that one of the purposes of that rotation was to interact with the families. She also said we were lucky to be there and that other schools would give their right arms to have clinicals there. It was a good experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm glad you enjoyed it land64shark (hee hee, landshark). I would have given my right arm. I always thought I would get into peds. I like kids, kids seem to like me, it might have been a good fit. Now of course (as my name suggests) I am in a position with little to no kid contact.

Although I agree with my school's theory behind the matter, I am still disappointed. It would have been an interesting rotation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.

I started my first IV on my skills instructor. I think they stopped letting students practice on each other last semester, so I am glad I got the chance.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ortho, Case Management, blabla.

Congrats. I think I am IV-tarded. The first 3 times I did I started IVs I got them on the first try. I felt super confident like, "Oh I got this down!"

Since then I have had no luck - 6 or 7 different IV starts and it took me 3+ attempts on each one (I felt terrible about it because I know it hurts). Blowing veins, the catheter curling up/looping inside the vein, etc. It is frustrating!! gah..I lost my touch. It didn't help that my preceptor was super good at it - Later I found out that she was a phlebotomist for 5 years before becoming an RN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

ive tried 2 times now and I'm so depressed!!!!!

ive thought I used good technique but Ive been unsuccessful. I get so nervous now I sweat =(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Just wanted to share - in my med surg clinical today I finally started my first successful IV on a pt today - followed by the second successful attempt on a second pt 30 min later! This was after 2 failed attempts over the last 2 weeks in clinical where the site infiltrated or the vein blew. I feel so much better that I can actually place an IV. It made me so happy that I can actually do this - my youngest IV pt was 90 years old, and the oldest 93.

Contrats!

This is a great experience.

rashmi

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment