The IV nurse career path offers unique opportunities for nurses to explore and expand beyond traditional nursing. The path is ideal for those who are interested in building upon their registered nursing skillset to specialize in the preparation, implementation, and management of IV care.
Start, enhance, or advance a career in nursing with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Providence. Built around the patient-centered care model, graduates of UP’s nursing degrees are not only ready to sit for National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) but possess a foundational understanding of nursing practice and are equipped with the tools and skills needed to deliver quality, compassionate nursing care.
What is an IV Nurse?
An IV (infusion) nurse is a certified, licensed registered nurse (RN) who specializes in preparing and maintaining patient intravenous (IV) lines, central lines, or venous access ports for patients.
What does an Infusion Nurse do?
Infusion nurses manage the preparation, insertion, and maintenance of patient IV lines. Depending on where an IV nurse works, the core functions and responsibilities of their job may focus on one or more specific aspect of the position. However, IV nurses should be prepared to perform all functions of the position. One of the biggest aspects of an infusion nurses’ position is monitoring patient reaction and response to infusion or IV treatment. These tasks include making sure they are preventing IV infections, watching for positive or negative reactions, and educating patients and their families on the infusion care. Common roles and responsibilities include:
- Preparing patients for IV treatments
- Administering IV medications
- Monitoring patient for signs of adverse reaction or additional support with their IVs
- Administering medications/infusions through IVs
- Educating patients and families about IVs; including
Where do Infusion Nurses Work?
Since infusion nurses specialize in such a specific skill, they are often in high demand throughout the healthcare field. Although IV nurses primarily work in hospitals or large healthcare centers, their services can be found anywhere from primary and specialty care offices to nursing care centers, assisted living facilities or mobile IV therapy centers. Infusion nurses commonly find work in specialties that require extensive infusion treatments or IV-line implementations, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, transfusion departments and more. Common workplaces include:
- Infusion Centers
- Oncology Centers
- Home Health Services
- Mobile IV Therapy
- Long-Term Care/Assisted Living/Nursing Homes
How to Become an IV Nurse?
To enter the field, IV nurses must complete a series of academic and vocational benchmarks aimed at ensuring their competency with IVs and overall infusion care. The journey to becoming an IV nurse starts by graduating high school and enrolling in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. While nurses with either an associate or bachelor’s degree qualify; many infusion nurses choose to pursue a BSN for additional advancement benefits.
After completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and receiving licensure through the National Certification Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), aspiring infusion nurses often work for a minimum of two years’ in an IV or infusion setting. This ensures nurses are experienced with IVs and infusions and are comfortable in the role. Once academic and vocational requirements are met, professional organizations such as the Infusion Nurses Society offer certification called The Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI) program. Although not all employers require nurses to obtain a CRNI or similar certification, it is important to check any IV nurse position requirements before applying.
- Explore the IV nurse academic and vocational steps
- Graduate high school or earn your GED
- Enroll in an BSN degree program
- Receive NCLEX-RN licensure
- Work 1,600 hours or two years in an infusion setting and an RN
- Receive the CRNI certificate
Infusion Nurse Career Path
Becoming an infusion nurse can open the door to new and exciting opportunities in clinical, administrative, educational and advanced nursing pathways. Since infusion nurses are in such high demand, their skills can be applied across the healthcare continuum. Overall healthcare trends indicate that nurses in particular will remain in high demand through the next ten years as indicated in a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Depending on years of experience, IV nurses can expect to make between $53,000 to $100,000 per year, with the median salary being $72,000.
Learn more about how a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Online RN-BSN bridge program can lead to or build upon a career in infusion nursing by visiting the nursing program page.
