Doctor vs. Nurse: Who Should Put in the I.V.?

What happens when the patient wants the doctor to put in an i.v. instead of the nurse?

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[thecrone]

Decades ago I was dangerously dehydrated and 2 different ER nurses tried (for what seemed like hours) to put in my IV with zero success. My normally great veins were in hiding. Eventually this "gnome" of an really tiny, old, nurse came shuffling into the room, grabbed my arm, and just as quick and painlessly as can be, had me hooked up in seconds. "There you go deary" and she shuffled on out. It was like magic.

[EncephalonBubble]

As a med student yes I would 100% trust a nurse over myself or my colleagues to do an iv, it’s the repartition of jobs: doctors are specialized in diagnostics and treatment while nurses are specialized on how to administer this treatment and take care of the patient. Everyone has an important role !

[joycehardy]

Newly retired RN here. I never got over how people decided that Drs should place an IV. The only docs that are good at it are anesthesiologists.

[katmartindale]

I would much rather have a nurse sink an IV in me than a doctor. My husband has a story about being in the ER with an asthma attack with bronchitis. They were trying to get in IV in but his veins kept rolling and the one that did hit a vein went all the way through. Random woman in uniform eating a sandwich was walking by the room and saw what was happening. She offered to do it. Sandwich still in one hand she puts in the IV the other hand so smoothly that he almost didn't feel it. As she taped it down one handed, he swears she had a halo. She was an in-flight paramedic.

[lewislg]

I had been in the hospital for about 3 weeks and my veins were all but digging holes to hide in. I was going in for another procedure and the nurses couldn't find a vein. After 7 (I counted) extremely painful sticks, the doctor walked in and said to let him try. He got it first time. Yay! The nurses applauded and gave him mock bows. One even told him he was working the wrong job. I never understood what the big deal was until now.

[lacymom]

As a nurse, I would've started laughing when the patient asked for the doctor to do it. I've only ever seen ONE doctor start an IV, and it's because he'd volunteered in very poor, developing countries for years, and was used to having little to no resources or staff. He'd also worked as a tech when he first moved to the US and was used to getting morning labs. So starting an IV was easy for him.

[ChristysChannelYall]

😂😂 I was a pediatric hospital RN for years. This happened once and I about died 😂. I told the parent, “okay, I’ll go get the doctor” (brand new resident on night shift). She did NOT want to do it. I explained that I had tried to tell the parent it’s what us nurses do, and doctors, not so much, but she wanted nothing to do with my explanation. SO, the resident went in there, hands shaking as I started to walk her through it. The mom asked her why she was so shaky and she told her I’ve only ever put in a couple of IV’s. The mom then just said for me to go ahead and do it. I popped it right in there and from then on that mom just let us do our thing. People really have no idea.

[bigbrowntau]

In my hospital here in Australia, we have a protocol. If the nurses can't get an IV in, the doctors get to try next. It's not often utilised, but watching the docs freak out or just laugh like the doc here is golden. They'll call anaesthetics to do it instead, or they'll go get portable ultrasound gear just so they can visualise everything.

[Bilal_Aslam_]

Patient : * flatlines *
Nurse : * About to start chest compressions *
Patient : “No. I want the doctor to do it.”
Nurse : “How are you talking?”

[DocJakeDO]

As a physician I can confirm this is 100% accurate!!! Nicely done!

[kiwi]

When a patient asked me to get a doctor to put an IV in, I just laughed so hard I nearly ended up on the floor. The consultant was the only medic on the Ward, and when I got the patient to ask him, he said to me to guide him because he hadn't done one in 10 years. The patient quickly asked me to do it instead.

[MD-ywpj]

Very true about IVs. The same can be said about CPR as well. I love how all movies ask if there’s a ‘doctor on board’ to help with something or a baby, when nurses and paramedics are more likely to be able to help in a lot of circumstances. Nobody asks about paramedics either.

We were going on a group trip with students and parents were asked if any that could help if needed and one I know well, an internist, raised his hand and said ‘I’m a doctor but you wouldn’t want to ask me to help”, lol. It’s true.

The older generations thought of doctors as better and smarter but they’re just different roles in a healthcare team.

[lealeaj]

I’ve been a nurse for over 10 years, and I’ve never seen a doctor put in an IV😁😁😁

[mrs.shanamartinez]

With my last baby I had 2 residents jab me 6 times and used an ultrasound machine to find my veins. After they couldn’t find a “good one”an experienced nurse literally walked in like a boss and had me set up in seconds! I will never forget that.😂

[tsnap]

I remember when I was dehydrated and sick in the hospital. I had already tried to get an IV at an urgent care center (they couldn't get it to work). At the hospital, they had some nurse who'd be working there like 20 years come in. She stuck me and got it set in one.

Respect your nurses, y'all.

[jeaniehorton]

Years ago l worked in a hospital laboratory and drew blood daily. The president of the hospital needed lab work and instead of coming to the woman who drew blood constantly he went to the head of the lab who hadn’t done lab tests or drawn blood for ages. He ended up with large bruises on both arms after several failed attempts! I just smiled to myself and thought… you got what you deserved Mr. big shot! ☺️🤗

[BelleDreamer]

I love how different Rich and Austin just look. He really does change so much about how he holds himself when he plays his characters.

[TinyDog_SummerGirl]

I showed this to my grandmother who is now a retired RN and the second the patient said they wanted the doctor to put in the IV, she snorted with laughter

[rainbowunicorns_rock]

I am literally the person who is like "ok i am a hard stick if you guys have any students who need practice let them try" it has never gone wrong. Plus me being a frequent fier it makes training easier. I don't care who does it frankly it makes me happy to see how accomplished some of the students feel after getting an iv started in me.

[TeamOuid]

I mean.... give this person an award. A short with an A/B plot line. I just... thank you for your rich and enduring contributions to humankind. Love the content.