[aln030482]

Hello everyone.... I'm new to the site and just had a general question to ask. I recently enrolled in an associates degree in nursing program and had wanted to know if it is common practice to get the IV therapy certification at that level or is it usually given in the BS program?

[AmandaWIRN]

ALL nuring programs that will result in graduates taking boards to become RN's will cover IV therapy. IV therapy is considered a basic nursing function, and all RN's (both Associate's & Bachelor's prepared) will be expected to perform IV therapy. Associate's programs cover the same skills as a Bachelor's program- Bachelor's programs just include public health classes & require more pre-nursing classes. After graduation, there really is no difference in job skills or requirements between ASN & BSN RN's- both do exactly the same things in the hospital setting (except for management).

[nursinghumor]

What type of nursing program you go through doesn't make a difference.

Some schools teach it a s part of its curriculum, some schools offer it once you've passed your nursing classes (I took my course the last week of nursing school).

Regardless, you'll need to demonstrate that you're proficient once you start working. Usually they'll have you "supervised" for your first three sticks, then you are considered competent to do it on your own.

You can find more information on starting IVs here.
http://www.4nursing.com/start

I.V. Starts . . .improving your odds! by Tom Trimble, RN:"A calm start: Ensure the patient is comfortable and sufficiently warm to prevent vasoconstriction, allay his apprehension, have him understand the necessity of the procedure and how best he may help."
http://enw.org/IVStarts.htm

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Starting Intravenous Lines, MR Angiography Protocols:"Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and MRA is rapidly increasing in popularity and creating new skill requirements for MR technologists. For MR Angiography, as well as MR of the liver, breast, and other applications it is increasingly necessary to inject gadolinium contrast agents dynamically during scanning while the patient is inside the magnet. This requires starting an intravenous line and attaching a long length of tubing that reaches outside the magnet. It is important to point out that starting an iv is an art-form which is learned with experience accumulated after performing hundreds of iv's. Some patients are easy but many are difficult."
http://www.mrprotocols.com/sset/iv.html

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Starting the I.V., Watts, H. David, The Literature, Arts, & Medicine Database:"This poem explores the act of inserting an intravenous line (I.V.) into a patient just prior to induction of general anesthesia. The physician-narrator is initially full of bravado, stating "I am good at this" and "I'm the best". The physicality of the act is detailed: the vein "lies stretched and succulent" and the needle "waits / like a mosquito attached / by its sucker." By the end of the second stanza, however, when the I.V. has been successfully inserted, the significance of this seemingly simple medical intervention is stated: "I am suddenly aware / I am connected to his brain."
Dr. Aull at 212-263-5401
http://litmed.med.nyu.edu/Annotation...iew&annid=1119

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Tips for Tough IV Starts, RN Village, Nurseweek:"I'm compiling tips for nurses new to the world of IVs, and would welcome any not mentioned below. Share your expertise!"
http://nurseweek.com/rnvillage/Discu...sp?forumid=210

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Sincerely,

Andrew Lopez, RN
Nursefriendly, Inc. A New Jersey Corporation.
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[TomB]

Originally Posted by aln030482

Hello everyone.... I'm new to the site and just had a general question to ask. I recently enrolled in an associates degree in nursing program and had wanted to know if it is common practice to get the IV therapy certification at that level or is it usually given in the BS program?

As Amanda said, ASN or BSN doesn't matter. Which ever degree you pursue you'll become an RN; and all RNs are required to manage IV therapy.

I graduated in 1994 with an ASN-RN degree. That was a long time ago, but I don't remember getting any kind of IV certification. I do remember sticking this fake arm to start an IV but it wasn't ANYTHING like the real thing. It was pretty ridiculous. :-)

:luck: