New Skill

Most people have no idea what a nurse does. I remember Steve asking me on one of our first dates if I just poked people with needles all day long. I informed him that I never poke people with needles. I had other people who did that so I didn't have to.Truth be told, I've only drawn blood on a few occasions and have never started an IV. Until today.

I had pulled all my patients lines to get him ready to transfer out of the ICU when he started to have EKG changes. I turned to my preceptor and went over the list of things we should do.

"Page the NP, order an EKG, cycle blood pressures, and draw labs."

"Right," she replied and handed me the needle and blood tubing.

After short inspection of his arm I knew right where to go and got the blood on my first draw. When the NP wanted to order and IV medication and we had no access because he already had an antibiotic running my preceptor turned to me again and handed me the needle to put an IV. Unfortunately for my patient the IV took me 2 tries before I got it in.

I am really excited to continue to cultivate this skill at my new job!