A universal grip catheter apparatus comprising: a catheter adapter having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end supporting a catheter, the distal end further including a securement platform occupying a first side of the catheter adapter and including at least one wing-like extension; a needle tip shield having a distal end and a proximal end, said needle tip shield distal end removably coupled to the proximal end of the catheter adapter; and a needle hub having a distal end and a proximal end, said needle hub distal end slidably coupled to the proximal end of the needle tip shield, said proximal end of the needle hub further including a needle, wherein the needle extends through a central portion of the needle hub, a central portion of the needle tip shield, and a central portion of the catheter adapter, whereupon a tip of the needle extends beyond a tip portion of the catheter, characterized in that the needle hub includes a distal rigid or semi-flexible extension forming a paddle grip having upper and lower gripping surfaces (32, 34), positioned adjacent to the body portion of the catheter adapter and extending outwardly from said needle hub distal end in a distal direction and in a position adjacent to a second side of the catheter adapter opposite said first side of the catheter adapter in a parallel orientation, and said wing-like extension is positioned opposite the paddle grip and said distal end of the needle hub further includes a guard feature located on an outer surface of the needle hub, so as to be interposed between oppositely positioned first and second gripping surfaces (22, 24) and the catheter adapter, thereby providing a physical barrier to prevent the user's grip from extending beyond the needle hub to contact the needle tip shield or the catheter adapter. a catheter adapter having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end supporting a catheter, the distal end further including a securement platform occupying a first side of the catheter adapter and including at least one wing-like extension; a needle tip shield having a distal end and a proximal end, said needle tip shield distal end removably coupled to the proximal end of the catheter adapter; and a needle hub having a distal end and a proximal end, said needle hub distal end slidably coupled to the proximal end of the needle tip shield, said proximal end of the needle hub further including a needle, wherein the needle extends through a central portion of the needle hub, a central portion of the needle tip shield, and a central portion of the catheter adapter, whereupon a tip of the needle extends beyond a tip portion of the catheter, characterized in that the needle hub includes a distal rigid or semi-flexible extension forming a paddle grip having upper and lower gripping surfaces (32, 34), positioned adjacent to the body portion of the catheter adapter and extending outwardly from said needle hub distal end in a distal direction and in a position adjacent to a second side of the catheter adapter opposite said first side of the catheter adapter in a parallel orientation, and having upper and lower gripping surfaces (32, 34), positioned adjacent to the body portion of the catheter adapter and extending outwardly from said needle hub distal end in a distal direction and in a position adjacent to a second side of the catheter adapter opposite said first side of the catheter adapter in a parallel orientation, and said wing-like extension is positioned opposite the paddle grip and said distal end of the needle hub further includes a guard feature located on an outer surface of the needle hub, so as to be interposed between oppositely positioned first and second gripping surfaces (22, 24) and the catheter adapter, thereby providing a physical barrier to prevent the user's grip from extending beyond the needle hub to contact the needle tip shield or the catheter adapter.