We don't get to diagnose problems (although very experienced nurses often have a better idea of what's going on with a patient than a doctor who doesn't know the patient as well or their history) - I wouldn't want the responsibility of diagnosing but that's just me so I'm glad we don't do it!
Don't worry about learning, though - you should have many study sessions before you're let near any pt's and if you don't feel ready always tell the person you're working with. It would be unlikey and irresponsible for someone to let you pratice before you felt safe to do so it shouldn't be a problem at all. If in doubt say no until you are sure - no one would argue that. I was worried with IV's that it took me longer than some to want to work on a patient but I had to feel safe and am glad I took a bit longer cos I've gained confidence knowing that I have been safe whilst doing it. And you'd be buddied through first time experiences and the pt always has to consent before any treatment is given. Usually I've found that patients are more than willing to have a student as the student doesn't work without a preceptor and is usually very concerned with being safe! We've practised everything from bedbathing (eek) each other to cannulating (inserting IV lines into) each other, which was scary for me because of past experiences and fears about needles but to feel how it must feel for a patient made me very aware of what I was doing and how I could be made to feel less anxious in a situation I had very little control over. I'd be really happy to send you over my IV books and some info if you'd like?
To be on the IV register here you have to sit a closed book written test on the various drugs, IV giving sets, side effects and so on, then a drug calculation test (the bit I find hardest but it is really basic if you have a mathsy brain!), a practical audit where you cannulate a dummy arm and another nurse, then another audit with a supervisor and a patient. I've been really lucky to be in a supportive team so the best thing I could probably advise is to try to get to work with someone who is very supportive and wants to help you learn as much as possible. That person is very handy at times when you feel like you are in the deep end!
Registered nurses don't take blood here on the wards unless they are trained as phlebotomists, something I wanted to do as I love doing that kind of thing and it's a lot safer as a procedure than giving IV additives as far as risk goes generally. I'd guess they practise on dummy arms with tubes but don't know about that one!
It might seem daunting but don't worry, you will be great, you are so caring (the main thing that patients will want to see, that's one thing I've learnt - from there you can learn whatever you will need to know) and I'm sure they won't throw you in the deep end!! Let me know if you want me to send you some info - I've got some good resources xoxo
Don't worry about learning, though - you should have many study sessions before you're let near any pt's and if you don't feel ready always tell the person you're working with. It would be unlikey and irresponsible for someone to let you pratice before you felt safe to do so it shouldn't be a problem at all. If in doubt say no until you are sure - no one would argue that. I was worried with IV's that it took me longer than some to want to work on a patient but I had to feel safe and am glad I took a bit longer cos I've gained confidence knowing that I have been safe whilst doing it. And you'd be buddied through first time experiences and the pt always has to consent before any treatment is given. Usually I've found that patients are more than willing to have a student as the student doesn't work without a preceptor and is usually very concerned with being safe!
We've practised everything from bedbathing (eek) each other to cannulating (inserting IV lines into) each other, which was scary for me because of past experiences and fears about needles but to feel how it must feel for a patient made me very aware of what I was doing and how I could be made to feel less anxious in a situation I had very little control over. I'd be really happy to send you over my IV books and some info if you'd like?
To be on the IV register here you have to sit a closed book written test on the various drugs, IV giving sets, side effects and so on, then a drug calculation test (the bit I find hardest but it is really basic if you have a mathsy brain!), a practical audit where you cannulate a dummy arm and another nurse, then another audit with a supervisor and a patient. I've been really lucky to be in a supportive team so the best thing I could probably advise is to try to get to work with someone who is very supportive and wants to help you learn as much as possible. That person is very handy at times when you feel like you are in the deep end!
Registered nurses don't take blood here on the wards unless they are trained as phlebotomists, something I wanted to do as I love doing that kind of thing and it's a lot safer as a procedure than giving IV additives as far as risk goes generally. I'd guess they practise on dummy arms with tubes but don't know about that one!
It might seem daunting but don't worry, you will be great, you are so caring (the main thing that patients will want to see, that's one thing I've learnt - from there you can learn whatever you will need to know) and I'm sure they won't throw you in the deep end!! Let me know if you want me to send you some info - I've got some good resources xoxo
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