Starting IV's

[missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN]

Well, it's time for me to face my fears about IV's. I hate needles. I hate the idea of hurting a patient to put in an IV, but I know it's necessary.

I'm not sure if it's the fear of needles, or just watching others do the procedure. When I watch, I feel like I'm going to pass out. So I'm trying to get over that fear before I have to do an IV. I'm watching you tube videos, lots of you tube videos. I'm going for the idea that a lot of exposure will make me less...faint.

So for any nurse, or any nursing student who had the same reaction to watching an IV go in, what did you do to get past that fear? Part of me thinks that if I'm in control of it, it will be better. I'm curious, what worked for you?

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

There's only one piece of advice I can give you: repetition and exposure. You've got the right idea.

I tend to be the sympathetic type. I also hate needles myself, so if I'm having a tough time starting an IV on a patient, I'm less likely to keep trying (adjust position, re-palpate the vein, etc) if the patient is complaining of pain, remove the needle and try again.

In about a year of frequent IV starts, I've come to realize that sometimes doing what's more painful for a patient for a second--making that adjustment, going a little deeper, etc--will save them pain in the long run and also prevent repeated needle sticks.

I tend to develop a tunnel vision when starting IVs. I focus in completely on the task, especially if it's a tricky vein. I don't look at the patient's face, I don't acknowledge if they're in pain until later unless they're really freaking out for some reason or asking me to stop. I keep my eye on the ball and get the job done the first time, and usually, even if it's a little painful, patients appreciate that.

This was perhaps one of the hardest skills for me to learn. I wasn't a natural. I got lucky a few times when I first started, too, which was even more confusing because I had no idea what I did right, then had a long period of doing things wrong and failing. Push through that failure. Tell yourself you'll get it next time. I was fortunate enough to have a 20-year veteran of the ICU/ER standing behind me, encouraging me to try again. You can overcome this--just give yourself the permission to learn and try!

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

You should start out practicing on fake arms in lab. Once you get to clinical (usually ER rotation) you will start doing IVs on real people. I was fortunate to have been an Advanced EMT prior to nursing school and learned on firemen classmates with garden hose sized veins that I could have closed my eyes and hit the vein. Nursing school wouldn't let us practice on each other. You need to focus on the procedure and forget that there is a person on the end of the arm. You need to have confidence when you stick otherwise you will go too shallow or miss the vein which will mean another stick.

Once you learn how to start an IV in the lab, stop by your local fire station and tell them you are a nursing student and would like to practice starting IVs and would like to practice on someone. They will help you out and "volunteer" the newbie firefighter as your pin cushion. The EMTs and paramedics on the ambulances do numerous IVs per day without the luxury of a well lit hospital and are your best resource on how to efficiently start an IV.

[elijahvegas, ASN, RN, EMT-P]

i was once where you were, pretty scared of needles and hurting people. but i got in the medical field with the intention of getting over this fear, because after all its a paramount skill to have. i have prior experience simialr to missmollie and an instructor told me something that (while it sounds horrible) it was quite effective advice that got me through it.

he would say "this is going to hurt you a lot more than it hurts me". hed say it in a joking manner of course, but he wanted us to understand that we need to get over the fear of sticking poking and prodding because its something that needs to be done. remind yourself youre not doing it out of maliciousness, and youre trying to help, and the anxiety will start to recede.

take a few deep breaths and remember, youre not killing the patient by doing this. and exposure exposure exposure. youll hafta practice often and frequently and no matter how good you are, youll never be able to have a 100% stick rate. its a skill youve gotta keep up with forever, so theres no shame in missing a vein every so often.

[missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN]

Thank you for the advice. I feel better knowing there were others with the same fear who overcame those fears. I will continue to watch you tube videos for the exposure and practice! I have a friend who was able to start an IV in the clinical setting, and she's going to practice with me in lab. I know in a few months I'll probably look back at this and laugh, but for right now, I just have to push through it.

[elijahvegas, ASN, RN, EMT-P]

haha we've all been there, good luck and check in and let us know how youre doing =]

[PAMOMof3]

I am getting close to nursing school and this is my biggest fear! I hate watching IV's go in on TV or someone have their blood drawn. I think once I get more into the 'science' of it all and make it less emotional, I will be ok. I'm so scared that this will break me!

I see this post is from last year. How did everything turn out. Is there hope for me?? :)