I actually enjoyed that particular day, practicing on the fake rubber arm in the lab. Just remember to WASH YOUR HANDS (duh--that's the first thing you do in school) and don't panic. We couldn't practice on each other so the fake arm had to suffice, but if you do get to use your classmates as guinea pigs, then go for it. I actually convinced two of my teachers to let me practice on them during a clinical rotation. Anyway, look at the site first to see if you can find a nice, juicy vein. You'll catch yourself checking out everyone's veins by the time you're done with school. When you see one that looks fat and straight, then wash your hands and put the tourniquet on VERY tightly. It will seem like you're hurting them, but that's when it's just right. Oh, make sure you've already got your supplies ready before you tourniquet them. If you can't see the vein anymore then feel for it. It will feel spongy and kinda bouncy when you push on it gently. Place the needle almost flat to the skin and angle it just enough to penetrate. Some people will put two fingers from their other hand on each end of the vein to help prevent it from rolling, that's up to you. You will feel it "pop" when the vein is penetrated, make sure you get flash, then advance the catheter. Apply pressure just above the catheter tip on the skin when you pull the needle out and be prepared with a 2x2 if it bleeds. Flush with the saline or attach the tubing then flush, depends on the setup you use. Tape the heck out of the thing and attach the IV bag if you can. We couldn't but some schools might. This will all make sense when you actually practice. The first couple of times you do it on a real patient is still nerve-racking, but you'll be just fine. We had one day in the lab to practice, then I used my teachers' hands once, then I was doing it in the ER on a dehydrated patient for the first time. If you can do a Foley then you can do this. Hang in there and good luck! Just remember, you won't kill anyone with this. :)

Do as many practices on an IV arm as possible so you can do the muscle memory portion of starting an IV without thinking about it. If you are not fumbling with the equipment, it will leave you more comfortable to actually look for a vein.

Know that we all have had to "fish" at one point or another, but understand when it is time to stop!

Volunteer for every stick possible when you get into clinicals. Eventually you will forget that you were supposed to be nervous.

Take every opportunity to practice. The best I.ve seen also do needlepoint as a hobby. Feel your way, some even close their eyes and feel the needle enter the vein. I never pull my firsrt failure before doing my scond stick if necessary.Relax , once set up sit if nessary, deep breath, exhale slowly , stick and expect success .

Remember to start low and work your way up the hand. Leave the antecubital vein for the last attempt. If all else fails then use that. the idea is to start there last so you have that one to attempt if all the others in the lower arm fails. And don't feel bad if you do not get it on the first try. I usually stop and get help after 3 attempts. Good Luck.

Remember, you don't always use a tourniquet - it depends on the patient. I've had thin, elderly, dehydrated, frail little patients whose veins blew each time I tried to flush or start fluids until I gave up the tourniquet...their veins just couldn't take that pressure. You also typically don"t use one when you put an IV in the back of an infant's hand. Most hospitals have a 2 stick rule - if you don't get it in 2 attempts, get someone else to try. Your confidence will be faltering, and I can just about guarantee the patient's confidence in you will be questionable. All of us have days when we couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with a shotgun, and days when we couldn't miss if we were paid to.