Unfamiliar with needles!

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Specializes in Gynecology/Oncology.

I graduate in December. I have started one IV on one dummy's arm in lab. I've formed a wheal on a hot dog. That's it. No blood draws or anything, either. It is out of the ordinary that my school does not have us perform these skills on real live patients? I'm a little concerned about lacking this skill fresh out of school.

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Specializes in OB, ortho/neuro, home care, office.

Lol - I had only started one foley cath when I graduated. The only way to get practice is when on clinicals, tell anyone that will listen, THE NEXT IV START THAT COMES UP I WANT IT!!!! Keep saying that until your blue in the face. Ask to practice on instructors, others, yourself. Whatever it takes.

If for some reason you do graduate without starting an IV, don't worry, you'll be a master before you finish orientation (if you seek out the starts). Master is an exageration of course. But you get the point, you'll get lots more practice out of school. Some schools are just too cheap to provide adequate materials.

Let me tell you from experience, once you feel the 'pop' of a vein getting the needle in, you won't forget it, and you'll be fine :)

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Specializes in Gynecology/Oncology.

Thanks, I feel a little better. It's a shame they can't give us the practice when we give them so much MONEY. :uhoh3:

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Specializes in OB, ortho/neuro, home care, office.

No kidding! My education was close to $50000! You'd think they'd be able to replace IV tubing once every few years, or get in date materials to practice with. Or maybe, just maybe have a few IV start kits that weren't 'borrowed' from the associated hospital to practice with. I guess maybe down the road I'll look into being a nursing instructor, because as much money as the school got from me someone has to be making a pretty penny :uhoh3:

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Specializes in ER, NICU, NSY and some other stuff.

There are some nursing programs that do not even allow the students to start IVs. I have run into many a nurse over the years that never has started an IV. They don't learn in nursing school, then they go to work in a facility with an IV team.

Personally I would have been mad if I did not come out of nursing school with what I believe to be a basic skill. I do see it happen though.

LOL to the poster about the outdated supplies. The school could get some new stuff off ebay for a reasonable sum. I was looking on there last week and could have bid on a vent, foleys, an art line kit, and any number of IV supplies. :rotfl: See it's like I always said "YOu can buy ANYTHING on ebay!"

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Ha, i am going to search on ebay now!

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Specializes in ICUs, Tele, etc..

dont worry too much when u get a job, request to be sent to pacu or or holding area for one day to practice iv placements, that's what we do for our new grads.

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