Top advice for nurses in the new year

Ever had one of those days when you just couldn’t get an IV in? Or you wished there was a great app you could check for clinical info? We feel ya and we’ve got you covered! Below we present a year’s worth of career advice that Scrubs readers have shared and “liked” the most. Ready to streamline your workday? Get “in the know” and read the full list!

1. 5 surefire tips for IV cannulation success

Nurses and intravenous catheters (IVs) seem to go hand in hand. Yes, yes, I know nurses are not the only healthcare professionals who place and start IVs, but we do the majority of it. My sincere apologies to all of the out-of-hospital EMS personnel.

Oh, and as a side note to all the TV fanatics out there: Physicians RARELY start peripheral IVs. In fact, in my short tenure doing this job, I’ve seen ONE physician start one.

Anyway…

Even though my IV skills had a pretty rough start, I thought I’d share some tried-and-true tips to help increase your chances of success.

Know your anatomy

• This is a simple yet vitally important rule. Don’t go rooting around for that “magic” vein. Know where to look and what you are looking for. Most cephalic forearm veins are overlooked, while the median antecubital vein is usually abused. Remember, the ventral side of the forearm is sometimes a gold mine!

Read the rest of the tips here!

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