Many specializations are available for registered nurses seeking to advance their careers. Among those available is a career in IV nurse or infusion nursing. IV nurses work throughout the healthcare continuum to aid in administering and managing patient IVs and infusions.
What is an IV Nurse?
An IV Nurse is a certified, licensed registered nurse (RN) who specializes in preparing and maintaining the intravenous (IV) line, central line, or venous access ports in patients. IV Nurses are also referred to as infusion nurses, with the core job responsibilities remaining the same.
What does an Infusion Nurse do?
The core responsibility of an infusion nurse is to manage the preparation, initiation, and maintenance of IV lines in their patients. In addition, depending on where an IV nurse works, their job may include administering medications, preventing IV infection, and educating patients and families on the proper care for IV maintenance – such as how to protect against infection or administer medication through one. Explore more skills below:
- Preparing patient IVs
- Administering patient IVs
- Administering medications/infusions through IV
- Monitoring IVs for:
- Signs of infection
- Treatment progression
- Educating patients and families about IVs; including
- How to monitor IVs
- How to administer medication
- How to prevent infection
Where do Infusion Nurses work?
Since infusion nurses specialize in such a specific skill, they are in high demand throughout the healthcare field. IV nurses can work anywhere, from hospitals to primary and specialty care offices. Infusion nurses may also find work in specific specialties, such as geriatrics, pediatrics, emergency, or intensive care. Checkout the top places IV nurses work:
- Infusion Centers
- Oncology Centers
- Home Health Services
- Primary Care
- Long-Term Care
- Assisted/Nursing Home Care
How to Become an IV Nurse?
To enter the field, IV nurses must graduate high school and enroll in a nursing program. Nurses with either an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree qualify for IV nursing; however, nurses are encouraged to earn their bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) for additional advancement benefits.
After completing a BSN program, receiving RN certification through the National Certification Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NELEX-RN), and gaining a minimum of two years of experience working with infusions, RNs can seek additional certification through The Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI) program. Although not all employers require nurses to obtain a CRNI certification, it is important to check the position requirements before applying.
Explore the sample education and career path below:
- Graduate high school or earn your GED
- Enroll in an ADN or 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 clinical, administrative, and advanced nursing career opportunities. Since infusion nurses are in high demand, their skills can be applied across the healthcare continuum and in educational settings as nurse educators. Depending on the employer and years of experience, IV nurses can expect to make between $53,000 to $100,000 per year, with the median salary of an infusion nurse being $72,000.
Interested in a career as an infusion nurse? Take the first step by earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing through one of the University of Providence’s BSN programs.
