Students to Practice Injections on Each Other?

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

What is your opinion on requiring students to practice injections on each other, before being allowed to give injections in the clinical arena? This was not permitted in my former place of employment (ADN program - small community college) nor is it presently permitted in my present program (BSN, large state university). To me, the liability issues are enormous. However, some faculty are questioning whether this practice should be allowed in my College of Nursing. (I must add - we do have plenty of high-tech simulators on which the students can practice, so I see no possible advantage in allowing students to practice on one another!) I would welcome your input and experiences on the subject :)

[cholli]

In our program they do one SQ, one IM and one ID in an evaluation setting with the instructor closely supervising. They do sign a human subjects consent form at the beginning of the program.

[elkpark]

I keep seeing this same question/topic, and someone always mentions the huge liability. Fer heaven's sake, if the students aren't safe/competent to give injections to each other, how can they possibly be safe/competent to give injections to the unsuspecting members of the general public lying in the hospital beds in clinical?? :)

In my diploma program six hundred years ago, we practiced (with instructor supervision) giving each other injections (IM, SC, Mantoux tests, IV starts) and had to be "checked off" as being competent on a classmate before we were allowed to perform any of these skills in clinical. None of us suffered any ill effects or had any objections to the policy -- heck, we were happy to have the opportunity to practice on each other before we had to face a stranger with a needle, and we were much more confident and relaxed when the time came in clinical.

They're doing amazing things with latex these days , but we all know those practice arms and mannequins don't feel anything like the real thing.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

You asked for opinions - I am opposed to it. Students might elect to inject themselves with insulin needles & NS but why force someone to be pricked if they are opposed to it?

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

Thanks to everyone for all the replies so far. Quick question for elkpark - Does your present ADN program (in which you teach) allow this practice?

[elkpark]

Thanks to everyone for all the replies so far. Quick question for elkpark - Does your present ADN program (in which you teach) allow this practice?

I've been teaching in a BSN program most recently, but I left that position last Spring. It was quite a few years ago that I taught in an ADN program. In both programs, I was teaching senior level courses and, now that I think about it (now that you've asked the question :)), I realize I don't know what, if any, practicing the students did on each other in their fundamentals courses, since I wasn't directly involved in teaching any of those skills.

And I will add that, when I say I was in school "six hundred years ago," I really mean the early '80s (the 1980s, that is). :)

[vickynurse]

Our students practice on simulators, not each other. (ADN program at community college)

[truern]

We practiced on each other...and I didn't go to school six hundred years ago

I really don't see the liability.

[Noryn]

I honestly dont see any reason for it now with the new models available. Also the hardest injections to do are the ones you would not want a fellow student doing on you, well I guess the Vastus would be ok. I think it creates too much stress, some students may have a fear of needles or being stuck, etc. It is hard to care for or do procedures on someone you know even after years of experience.

Also I see no reason to create an opening for infection especially now with C-MRSA so prevalent. From clinicals or even the community someone could easily be colonized with MRSA and develop an abscess which would create liability for the school (I seriously doubt those waivers would hold up).