Starting IV's

[Tay245]

Is there a class I can take on starting IV's? In school we could not start them of course without a license therefore we only had the opportunity to start one once in simulation. I would really like to learn to start them but I am scared of poking a patient over and over. I would rather learn first in class and maybe get certified. Thanks all.

[CathyLew]

as a new grad, we had to get 10 signed sticks in. I used to work at a reaserch lab... after starting IV's in mouse tails and rabbit ears... people were easy! I was a little too cocky about it, and my trainer said she would only initial 18 gauge sticks! She would not sign any of my 20Ga or less! So I ended up starting a lot of pre-op patients!

[diane227, LPN, RN]

If your facility has an IV team, asked to be allowed to follow the IV nurse around for a day or two. They can teach you the policies and show you how to perform the task. They can teach you about PICC, midline, and ports of different types and how to access them. Even though I had 30 years of nursing experience, when I started medsurg I asked to spend time with the IV nurse and it was great. I learned a lot.

[suehp]

Now, I will try at least once before I call in the IV support nurse, unless I don't have time, of course. In this way, I have gotten many PIVs on my first try even in people who told me that they were hard sticks. I've missed a lot too, as some people just don't have much to work with. I've found that the vast majority of patients are willing to let me try if I just tell them "I'd like to try once, and if I can't get it, I'll call in the expert.". Knowing that I'm not going to make a pincushion out of them and that there is a backup plan makes people feel much more at ease with letting me try. And sometimes, I get it. Sometimes I don't. Either way, it's a win win situation because the patient feels safe and respected, and I get my practice with difficult starts.

This is exactly what I do too....we are only allowed to stick twice....I do like to have at least one attempt and I say the same thing with my patients - if I cant find ANYTHING I will not attempt but if there is a slight chance I might get it then I will go for it....I tend to be able to get them on the wrist and hand really well....

[Bossy Boss]

In school we had (The Arm) it had a Jp bulb filled with red food coloring, and track mark like a seasoned junkie with veins like garden hoses. The fire dept, I was on had one also to practice on. I also started some on the guys. Now I go to other floors to start IV's. Just find out what your place of work has to use and practice, it will come to you like second nature.