Today I got to practice one of the most essential skills you will learn as a nurse = starting an intravenous (IV) line. I've seen what seems like millions started at my previous job as tech on an Ambulatory Surgery unit. It was the nurses' job to insert an IV catheter into a patient's vein prior to their surgery. This IV access is then attached to tubing connecting the patient to an IV bag filled with saline solution and electrolytes. This allows patients to stay hydrated and gave nurses access to administer medications without re-sticking a patient.
While the task may look easy enough... just find a vein and let'em have it... its not. Some veins roll; some are not long enough to accommodate the length of the catheter; some are really, really, really, REALLY tiny; and some are just dried up and busted. Ideally, you want to use a vertical, straight vein that runs parallel to the arm. No horizontal or squiggly lines for this nurse :P
So I got to shadow a nurse at my hospital's peri-op area (where patients get ready for surgery). I first watched her start 2 IVs and then it was my turn from then on. I actually got in on my FIRST try!!! Yay!! I swear, only nurses get excited when they see the flashback of blood in the catheter hub... kinda like getting excited over urine flow when inserting a foley catheter :P Anyways, I think my initial success was beginner's luck as my next try was not as successful. The vein kept rolling. After my second attempt, I gave the task over to the nurse. The next patient I saw didn't want a new, inexperienced nurse doing her IV. She said that she was a "hard stick" and I respected her decision. I know she didn't want to be mean and in all honesty, no one wants to be a pin-cushion. I always stick to the assertion that patients know their own bodies the best, but they also have to trust their nurses and doctors. In this case, I knew that I was inexperienced and was more likely to have missed. My third attempt was also unsuccessful. I thought I had a nice, juicy vein, but I think it was too short or I hit a valve (aka brickwall). Either way, I accidentally busted the vein :/
Well, I ended my time on a good note. My last attempt was a success. Quick and easy :) So I'm 2 for 2 right now. Not too bad for a newbie according to my educator! I know that as I start working on my actual unit I'll have TONS of opportunities to start IVs, whether it's for new patients being admitted onto to the unit or crazies pulling their IVs out. Luckily, as the saying goes... practice makes perfect!
Omg! I am terrified to stick people for iv lines since we can't in nursing school!!! I don't really like to give them injections or cause them slight pain from pricks for glucose. But we gotta do what we gotta do to make them better. Sounds like a wonderful experience thus far. I am sure it takes lots of practice to master this skill! Keep updating! Miss you!!
ReplyDeletei know how you feel evie! i was mortified having to give someone even an SQ injection, but it's just something we as nurses have to get over. just keep thinking that it's best for the patient and that they could be worst without it. iv starts are definitely harder, but as with all things, it just takes practice to improve :)
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