I've had two days orientation so far, but I already know that I am going to love this job! I've started IVs on kids ranging from preemie, new born that day, to 17 years old. And apparently I'm pretty good! I seem to be better at it under pressure because we've had several kids who have already had other nurses try to get IVs on them and been unsuccessful. They call us in and as soon as we step in the room, the child is crawling up the wall! There is always two of us, because we usually need someone to hold the arm, leg, or head of the child so we can get the IV in. On a couple of cases we have needed two people holding the child down while I put it in! And the parents are there watching the whole thing. Luckily I've been able to get it in the first try! I actually had a room full of family, when putting in an IV for a 4 y/o, and just as I was about to put the needle in, the grandmother stood up and snapped some pictures! Not something I would think you'd want to put in the kids scrapbook for the memories!
I've been oriented on placing PICC lines which go from the forearm into the superior vena cava. I'll get to use ultrasound to place them, scalpels, lidocain, and then I get to suture it into place as long as the tip of the catheter is in the right place. We have to get an x-ray done in the patient's room to check that. I'm excited to try my first one, knowing full well that anything can happen! The one I saw placed went so slick that I got excited to try my first one. I know this probably sounds a little (or a lot) morbid to some, but I get a rush everytime I see that flashback of blood in the catheter and I'm able to advance it into the vein with ease. I know Annaleigh will agree with me, it's COOL!
Howdy Spring
1 year ago
4 comments:
lets hear a shout out for flashback!!! that's sooo cool that you'll get to do PICC lines. Ive seen a couple placed and it's super facinating. you'll be like a surgeon cause you'll get to scrub up and inject lidocaine and do sutures... ahhh the life of a nurse. i've yet to place an IV in one under 12, so i'm soooo jealous!
You are awesome! I am so glad that your job is going well. It's kind of nice to get the different sort of satisfaction a job brings. Happy Mother's Day!
Wow Katie! You sound like the Ace on the Floor now already. The job sounds fascinating. Keep us up-to-date on the many stories I'm sure you'll have to share. Good luck with all of it!
Congrats, You still got it. I know that you bring a peace with you in the room, you always have and those families can feel it. Keep up the good work!!
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