I was so nervous my first time independently giving an IM that i totally forgot to aspirate it slipped my mind so much that i didn't even realize it until i asked my preceptor what she thought of my technique. I felt so bad about this I was overwhelmed and eventually made my self sick just at the thought of what i had done....I get really nervous; especially when i feel intimidated by the person watching me ....anyone else feel this way?
LPNawaits
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December 8th, 2008 at 4:17 am
Yeah, I was shaking so bad giving my first injection I injured my fellow student a bit by moving the needle around inside her 🙁
I am a “pro” now though. It gets better and no one expects you to be perfect or you wouldn’t be a student.
December 8th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Yes, the intimidation factor is present and normal as a student. Heck, it lingers with you through your first year as an RN. Just remember, your nervous b/c you care about the care you give.
And that’s nothing but a great thing.
Keep up the good work.
December 10th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
There are a lot of skills we don’t get to do a lot or often enough. Practice is really the best tactic – I think. Then fake it. A very wise nurse told me that even if you don’t know what you’re doing you have to look like you do. Otherwise you’ll scare the patients.
Get an empty syringe and just carry it around with you. Play with it until it doesn’t feel like a foreign object in your hand. Trust me on this one- I play the piano- there are some things you just can’t imagine your fingers doing. After about the millionth time of thinking your way through it you find yourself doing it in your sleep.
MG
December 10th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
LPNawaits
That first shot can be a doozy! I was so scared to give the first one, I avoided every chance possible. Fortunately for me, our class had a fill-in instructor one week. Guess she realized I was dodging giving a shot. That instructor came and got me one day, told me I was going to give my first shot, helped me draw it up, then prayed with me outside the patients room. Be kind to yourself, we all make mistakes…we are human..just learn from this one and go on to be a wonderful and caring nurse.
Cindy
December 10th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
I really think we all felt that way @ one time. Something interesting though… The CDC recently released some info after a big sutdy saying that it’s really not necessary to aspirate while giving an IM injection b/c the likey-hood that you will hit a blood vessel is so0o0o0o0o0o slim!!!!
But you gotta follow your hospital’s P&P!!
Good luck! 🙂
December 10th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Yeah, I came to say what Ashley said. It’s actually not recommended to aspirate anymore because of the increased tissue damage on the muscle from the aspiration… so you really didn’t do anything wrong. 🙂
I still shake when people watch me give shots! It’s normal! Just remember to follow the six “rights” and you’ll be fine.
December 11th, 2008 at 1:29 am
Hey, none of us were born knowing this stuff!The first time I gave a shot, my instructor made me use a long #22 needle on a tiny, emaciated elderly stroke victim: I stuck it in the way she taught me (like a dart,) & it went “THUNK!” right into the bone & quivered there (like saying “boinggg.”) The patient, who couldn’t talk, went “UNNHHH.” The only reason I didn’t run right out of the room was the instructor holding me back. Now I just retired after 44 years of nursing, & an incredible, successful career!
December 11th, 2008 at 1:32 am
Re Ashley’s comment on CDC finding: there WERE 2 occasions I DID get a blood return when aspirating before giving an IM injection….but, that is a whole bunch of shots over 44 years…for what it’s worth.
December 11th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
I just finished my first term of nursing school and about half way through the semester we did a flu clinic. The experience was so fun and each of us did about 15-20 shots in the two hours we were there. In order to prepare for the long lines that were sure to come, we drew up the vaccine in advance and put all of the needles in a huge pile and grabbed a few at a time. I really learned the importance of double checking the dosage because a few times I ended up with too much vaccine (caught it before I injected) and once, I stuck a girl with air. The girl had already left when I realized what had happened. I freaked out, but fortunately my instructor was really calm and talked me through what needed to be done next.
December 13th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Don’t worry! We have all been there at one time or another! I remember when I was in nursing school, and was doing a clinical rotation at a Obstetrician’s office during my OB rotation. I had to give a pt. a Depo-Provera shot, and when I went to aspirate, then needle and the syringe came apart–with the needle in the patients backside!!! It gets better with time, and the more you do it, the easier it gets!