Nursing Students General Students
Published Nov 15, 2004
alohagem
26 Posts
We're starting IV's on each other this week and i'd like to ask you guys for some tips. We practiced once on the dummies but I know it will be way different when we start it on each other. We need 3 successful tries before the second semester in January. Thanks a lot!:)
elkpark
14,633 Posts
My father was an anesthesiologist (started lots of IVs), and his advice to me on the subject was to make sure you get the tourniquet really tight -- he used to say, "If you get the tourniquet tight enough, you can stick anyone." Spend some time perfecting your tourniquet technique! Note that this does not apply to little old people -- often a tight tourniquet will blow their fragile veins. I've known some really good "stickers" who didn't use a tourniquet at all on little old people. Good luck!
Everyone is really scared about learning to do "sticks," and everyone survives ...
Aneroo, LPN
1,518 Posts
I remember our lab on IV starts, and the teacher said nothing to us about this....Once you get your flashback, DON'T change the angle on the needle! -Andrea
maire, ASN, RN
1,173 Posts
My school doesn't teach us how to start IVs. :imbar
I hate to hijack a thread, but is it just my school or what? Anyone else have to learn this skill OJT??
klone, MSN, RN
14,791 Posts
OMGosh, I cannot believe that other schools actually have the students practice invasive procedures on each other! The ONLY thing we did on each other was accuchecks. That would absolutely scare the bejesus out of me. What would happen if you refused?
RainDreamer, BSN, RN
3,571 Posts
We've done accuchecks and injections on each other, but no IVs. I would hate that, yowchie!
We did lots of practice IV sticks in the lab though. Then the first time I tried to start one on a patient I blew the vein, I felt so terrible Really discouraged after that and didn't think I'd ever want to try again. But then I did a clinical in the ER and the ER nurse I was with made me start an IV. He helped me through it.... guided my hand and we got the IV started! Since then I've started 4 IVs by myself and I still don't feel confident about it. So many people say it just takes tons and tons of practice. We'll get there!!
DenaInWyo
141 Posts
We practiced injections on each other, and will practice IVs in our third semester. It's not required, and you have to sign a release to do it.
I look at it this way: I would MUCH rather have my first go at it on a fellow student, who is not sick/freaked out/facing God only knows what on top of having a first timer sticking them, than a pt. We even had the opportunity to give each other NG tubes. It doesn't hurt THAT bad, and is worth the experience! As to infectious disease issues..so long as you are using proper precautions, I don't see how it would be any riskier than what we will deal with every day once we graduate.
Deana
shape0fmyheart
260 Posts
My school doesn't teach us how to start IVs. :imbar I hate to hijack a thread, but is it just my school or what? Anyone else have to learn this skill OJT??
Our school is not teaching us either! I was disappointed to hear that news.
Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN
11,304 Posts
We learned how to start IV's but not on each other. I think it cost too much to insure us all.
My first IV start was in the ER on a 16 year old with large veins. I got in on the first try. Whew - I was so scared.
steph
Ever since my first IV insertions (some on good veins, some on not so good) .... I catch myself looking at people's arms now, thinking *dang, what nice veins!* :chuckle
My father was an anesthesiologist (started lots of IVs), and his advice to me on the subject was to make sure you get the tourniquet really tight -- he used to say, "If you get the tourniquet tight enough, you can stick anyone." Spend some time perfecting your tourniquet technique! Note that this does not apply to little old people -- often a tight tourniquet will blow their fragile veins. I've known some really good "stickers" who didn't use a tourniquet at all on little old people. Good luck!Everyone is really scared about learning to do "sticks," and everyone survives ...
We signed a waiver in the beginning of the semester releasing the school from any responsibility in case something happened. I was more freaked out when i found out during our welcoming reception that we will be doing NG tubes versus the IV starts. But NG wasn't too bad and I survived it. I guess we can refuse it but nobody has refused since were very closely monitored by our instructor.