We are excited to announce this fourth Hands-On course! The format is similar to Hands-On Suturing and Suturing II in some ways, and Meds By Injection in others.



How does a Hands-On IV course work through distance education?


1. Enrollment is available on an on-going basis

2. The on-demand portion is available immediately upon enrollment

3. Sign-up for a private Zoom for your hands-on skills test:

  • 1 hour if enrolled in IV for Shock without the TXA add-on, or 
  • 75 min if also enrolled in IV for Shock w/TXA - COMING SOON! (Summer 2026)
  • Yes, you can snag a spot now, so long as you enroll immediately after.
  • Don't see a date that works for you? Email [email protected] so we can figure one out.


4. We'll send you a supply kit to use during your live Zoom. The supply kit is sent at no additional fee...and yours to keep!

5. Prior to your live Zoom, you'll need to complete the on-demand portion. 

6. In order to receive your CE Certificate, you will need to pass a written exam. This can be completed before or after the Zoom session.

7. During your live Zoom, you'll have one hour to get your questions answered AND demonstrate properly placing an IV on the model provided in your kit. You'll need to pass this skills test in order to receive your CE Certificate.

8. After you pass both your skills test and your written test, you'll receive a link to the course evaluation. Once complete, your CE Certificate will generate. 

After completing the course, you'll continue to have access to the on-demand portion for at least a year. (And likely much longer.)

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Identify the clinical signs and progression of hypovolemic shock in the postpartum client, including early, compensated, and decompensated stages.
2. Recognize indications for IV access in the community birth setting, including hemorrhage, severe dehydration, and clients requiring medication that must be given intravenously.
3. Select an appropriate IV site based on clinical situation, anticipated duration of use, and client factors.
4. Demonstrate correct technique for placing a peripheral IV catheter, including site preparation, vein stabilization, catheter advancement, and securement.
5. Choose between Lactated Ringer's and 0.9% normal saline based on clinical indication, and explain the reasoning.
6. Calculate and set appropriate flow rates using macrodrip tubing for both fluid resuscitation and medication administration.
7. Correctly add Pitocin to an IV bag at the appropriate concentration, including assessment of remaining bag volume and dosing limits.
8. Identify the threshold at which transport to a higher level of care is indicated, regardless of available interventions.

Upon completion of the TXA add-on (available Summer 2026), the learner will also be able to:

1. State the indications, dosing, and timing parameters for TXA administration in PPH, including the initial dose, repeat-dose criteria, and maximum total dose.
2. Correctly prepare and administer TXA via diluted IV infusion at the appropriate rate, and explain why rapid administration is contraindicated.
3. Identify the drug incompatibilities between TXA, oxytocin, and penicillin, and demonstrate how to administer TXA safely when these other medications are also in use.
4. Recognize the signs of adverse reactions to TXA and respond appropriately, including knowing when to discontinue the infusion and escalate care.



HiveCE is an approved provider of continuing education by the California Board of Nursing, and this course meets the California Board of Nursing criteria for up to 7.5 hours of continuing education. Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 17686, for up to 7.5 contact hours through November 30th, 2027.

MEAC CE approval numbers M2526-103-0521DE-1 (IV for shock with pitocin only - 6.5 hours) and M2526-103-0521DE-2 (TXA add on - 1 hour) through May 31st, 2028.

Course curriculum

  • 01
    Welcome!
    Show details
    • Need To Know Course Details
    • Before we go on...
  • 02
    Types of Shock
    Show details
    • Introduction and Overview of Shock
    • Hypovolemic Shock
    • Other Types of Shock
    • Understanding the System, and the Faux-Shocks
    • Types of Shock Quiz
  • 03
    Phases of Shock
    Show details
    • Compensated Shock
    • Uncompensated Shock
    • Irreversible Shock
    • Phases of Shock Quiz
  • 04
    Assessment and Treatment of Hypovolemic Shock
    Show details
    • Progression of Signs and Symptoms
    • Assessment
    • Peripheral Perfusion and the Shock Index
    • Prevention and Basic Treatment
    • Shock and IV Intermediate Treatment
    • Should We Stay or Should We Go Now?
    • Readings
    • Hypovolemic Shock Quiz
  • 05
    Choosing Your Supplies
    Show details
    • Overview of Equipment and Supplies
    • Options for Warming the Site
    • Tourniquet Choices
    • Choosing IV Fluids
    • The Three G's
    • Clamps, Ports, and Line Length
    • Nuances of IV Catheters
    • Options for Tape & Friends
    • Choosing Your Supplies Quiz
  • 06
    IV Skills
    Show details
    • Informed Choice
    • Best Practices
    • Tourniquet Techniques
    • Spiking and Priming the Line
    • Preparing the Cath and Tape
    • IV Catheter Insertion Technique
    • Starting the Flow
    • Techniques for Tape and Friends
    • Troubleshooting No Flow and Identifying Infiltration
    • Changing a Bag
    • Discontinuing an IV
    • Monitoring and Charting
    • IV for Prevention or Treatment of Shock - Practical Skills Checklist
    • Readings
    • IV Skills Quiz
  • 07
    IV Pitocin
    Show details
    • IV Pitocin in the Community Birth Setting
    • Demonstration of Adding Pitocin to an IV
  • 08
    Integration
    Show details
    • Written Test (score of 80% or better required)
    • A Guide to Your Supply Kit
    • Setting Up Your Medical Model
    • Full Demo for Skills Practice and Test
    • Summary and Conclusion

  • Holly Scholles

    Instructor Bio:

    Holly Scholles, MA, CPM-retired, is a homebirth midwife with over 45 years of experience, and was the founder and president of Birthingway College of Midwifery. Among her many contributions to midwifery, she was an author of the Consensus Guidelines for Intermittent Auscultation in U.S. Community Birth Settings (2025). She is also an anthropologist specializing in human reproduction and medical anthropology.

    Holly Scholles

    MA, CPM-retired

Jesica Dolin Gutierrez

Assistant instructor:

Jesica Dolin Gutierrez spent nearly a decade in a busy birth center, and another five years as a homebirth midwife. She created HiveCE in 2015, and co-created the Hands-On Suturing with Holly Scholles in 2020, Hands-On Suturing II in 2025, and Hands-On IV in 2026.
Jesica Dolin Gutierrez
  • Does this course cover TXA and IV Pitocin?

    Pitocin is covered in the main content of this course. TXA is covered in an optional add-on that will become available Summer 2026.

  • Does this course cover administration of IV antibiotics?

    Nope! That will be covered in a separate Hands-On IV course that will be available soon.

  • How many hours of CE does Hands-On IV: Treating Shock provide?

    This course is provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 17686, for 6.5 contact hours without TXA, or 7.5 contact hours including TXA. The course is MEAC approved on the same framework through May 31st, 2028. This may be used the same as MEAC approved CE for renewals with NARM, and for every state license for CPMs we have checked.

  • What is in the supply kit?

    The supply kit contains tourniquets, gauze, alcohol pads, IV Catheters, tubing/drip sets, practice IV fluids, a model to practice on (with fake blood for a flash!), faux Pitocin, and a clamp stand for your phone so the instructor will be able to see what you are doing. Those who enroll in the TXA add-on will also receive supplies for a piggback line, and faux TXA. We provide enough supplies for you to practice several IV starts prior to your skills test. Everything in the kit is yours to keep - even the model! - so you can continue to practice in the future.

  • What supplies do I need to provide?

    The supply kit contains everything you will need for your skills test via Zoom...except for gloves! You will need to provide those for yourself, in whatever size best fits you. Non-sterile gloves are a-ok for your skills test.

  • What technology is required to take this course?

    You will need the ability to connect to Zoom from a computer AND a phone/tablet. You will need an internet connection in a private space (IE - not a coffee shop).

  • Can I take Hands-On IV: Treating Shock from a country other than the United States?

    Yes! We have had participants in our Hands-On courses join from more than a half dozen countries other than the United States. However, we customize a plan with each person outside the United States on how you'll get your supplies. If you are outside the US, please email [email protected] so we can get creative together.

  • What is needed to get my CE Certificate?

    1. Finish the on-demand content, including passing the written test(s). 2. Pass your skills test during the live Zoom. 3. Complete your course evaluation.

  • May I use this course towards NARM's Midwifery Bridge Certificate?

    Most likely! All our other Hands-On Courses have been approved for such. We are inquiring now and will update this FAQ once known.

IV for Shock (w/Pitocin only) - 6.5 hours CE

Instant access to the on-demand content, plus a one hour private Zoom skills test (supply kit included)