That actually may be overly optimistic. The post is better titled "Tomorrow I attempt to start my first IV." On a person. So far we have been practicing on disembodied arms, and lest the reader experience doubt, good ol’ NNR captured evidence (see disembodied arm, left).
We have to draw blood and then start an IV on one of our classmates. Yowza! Starting IVs seems like a rite of passage for nursing, so I’ll be happy to have it done, but I actually think I’ll feel more nurse-ish after I start a Foley. I’m not sure why I fear Foleys. I almost broke my Foley cherry once: I was really close! But I was inserting a catheter into a laboring woman, and the baby crowned under my hand, so I had to give up.
I hypothesize that right now 90% of my job as a student nurse is to work up attitude. "I know what I’m doing, and I’m ON it." I usually have very little idea what I’m doing, but acting as though I do seems to go a long way toward getting the job done. Anyway, the last two semesters we had endless checklists filled with skills that had to performed EXACTLY as listed, so I spent a few weeks endlessly going through these things, freaking out about the checkoffs. This semester our class just started on Tuesday and tomorrow, Friday, is the performance. No dress rehearsal, even. It’s much less stressful because I’m still numb with shock over the boatload of information and stress I’ve been hit with. This is a better way! These may be famous last words, so everyone wish me luck…
Remember, it has very little to do with being confident in your abilities. It has everything to do with how confident you can make the patient in your abilities.
Exude confidence - the patient will be more relaxed and so will you. If you’re nervous, the patient will be nervous and if they’re nervous, their veins will be nervous, and nothing disappears faster than nervous veins.
I started my first IV on Tuesday night on a little old lady who was on coumadin. I was scared sh!tless, but I got it on my second try. If I can do it, you can do it too!
Good luck, you’ll do great!
I’m wishing luck at you (probably late)!
Markie
Good luck, starting IVs is fun!
Good luck on your 1st IV. I am actually starting my first day of nursing school tomorrow. Looking forward to all those “scary” moments.