Correctly performed IV therapy is crucial for receiving vitamins, minerals, and nutrients without risking side effects. For this purpose, an IV nurse who should pay attention to the procedure and all the details related to the patient’s health is needed. But what does an IV therapy nurse do, and what are their tasks?
In the following, you’ll be informed about what it takes to become an IV therapy nurse and their role in IV therapy.
What Does an IV Therapy Nurse Do?
Simply put, an IV therapy nurse is a licensed medical professional who specializes in IV therapy work. They administer central lines, venous access ports, catheters, and intravenous lines.
Through these lines, IV therapy nurses prescribe fluids, medications, and nutrients to combat various injuries or illnesses. In addition, infusion nurses monitor patients’ vital signs throughout treatment and can adjust medication as needed.
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Where Do Infusion Nurses Work?
A positive thing about IV Therapy Nurses is that they can work in various healthcare settings. Such facilities are categorized into three groups: ambulatory centers, hospitals, or patients’ home conditions.
Hospitals
IV therapy nurses who work in hospitals can be in various positions. Such nurses can work as resource nurses, bedside nurses, or peripherally inserted central line nurses. Note that these positions are similar in terms of nurses’ tasks and duties.
Outpatient centers
As for outpatient centers, IV therapy nurses usually work in infusion centers or clinics administering intravenous therapy. Besides, they can work in primary care, oncology, home health, or nursing homes.
Home infusion
In addition to the above healthcare facilities, the IV therapy nurse may travel to clients’ homes for home infusions. This position’s job is to perform patient assessment, make a plan, and administer mobile IV therapy. In light of this, the team of The Drip IV Infusion for mobile IV therapy in Queen Creek AZ is always at your disposal. Feel free to give them a call!
IV Therapy Nurse Responsibilities
The work of an IV nurse is quite responsible and requires a good knowledge of anatomy, pharmacology, and physiology. Through their knowledge, these nurses implement the plans from the healthcare provider and administer the necessary therapy. Below you’ll find a breakdown of what does an IV therapy nurse do, and what their responsibilities are:
Preparation of infusions
Preparing an infusion is perhaps the most important part of an IV nurse’s job. IV nurses follow the plan and prepare the infusion according to it. The IV nurse may administer regenerative fluids or medications depending on the illness or medical condition.
In addition, while performing the procedure, IV nurses pay attention to hygiene, and the instruments must be sterile. They are strictly guided by the prescribed rules and protocols for administering IV therapy.
If IV therapy is performed at home, the IV nurse carries equipment holders for intravenous solutions, medical supplies, needle units, and an infusion hanger.
Administration of IV fluids
When the patient is ready for therapy, and the medication or fluid is prepared, the IV nurse administers it. The nurse inserts a needle using a cannula directly into the patient’s vein to perform IV therapy.
The composition of the IV therapy depends on the patient’s health condition. Accordingly, the IV nurse may administer electrolytes, vitamins, or antibiotics in the infusions. Moreover, a nurse can administer different types of IV treatments, such as IV Push and IV Drip.
Monitoring the patient’s behavior
One of the duties of the IV nurse is monitoring the patient’s condition. So, after prescribing the necessary therapy, the IV nurse monitors the patient’s behavior and registers any physiological reactions such as drowsiness or rash.
Education of the patients
Education is a top priority when dealing with IV infusion. Before starting this treatment, the IV nurse can talk to the patient to familiarize them with the procedure. They also tell them the possible side effects that may occur as a result of the therapy.
Maintaining patient records
Besides preparing and administering IV therapy, the IV nurse maintains records and detailed patient records. Namely, the IV nurse is part of a team where everyone must be familiar with the course of therapy and how that therapy works for the patient.
The medical professional will know how to continue the therapy to improve the patient’s health by keeping a record of their medical history.
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How to Become an IV Therapy Nurse
There are several steps you need to take to become an IV therapy nurse:
Nursing School
The first step to becoming an IV therapy nurse is to get an ADN or associate degree in Nursing, BSN, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing. These degrees must be from an accredited program to proceed with the next steps to becoming a certified IV nurse.
Those who have received ADN often decide to complete the BSN diploma to get more job opportunities and career advancement.
NCLEX
After you finish the nursing school, you must pass the NCLEX test. Once you pass it, you’ll earn a license as a registered nurse.
Certificate
Once you gain experience, you can apply for the Infusion Nurses Society certified registered nurse infusion (CRNI) certification.
Namely, there are several requirements that you have to fulfill to acquire this kind of certificate. You must first have an active registered nurse (RN) license. In addition, you must have a minimum of 1600 hours of experience as an infusion therapy RN within the last two years.
Note that this experience does not only apply to direct bedside care. You can also gain nursing experience in other areas, such as administration, research, or clinical practice.
IV Therapy Nurse Specialization
As mentioned above, additional training is required before you can become certified and work as an IV therapy nurse. However, many IV nurses take the extra step and focus only on certain treatments or patients.
So, for example, you can opt for a position where you will administer drugs only through catheters, venous access ports, or central lines. Besides, you can opt for providing lines for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Furthermore, some nurses choose to work only in hospice or home care.
Also, some nurses with many years of practice and experience decide to go into education. They teach future nurses and other healthcare professionals how to administer intravenous therapy and monitor patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hardest nursing position?
Several positions are considered the most stressful. Such positions refer to ER nurse, NICU nurse, and ICU nurse. Such nurses work in a high-stakes environment. In addition, they deal with emergencies and care for patients in critical condition.
What is a nurse called when they draw blood?
A phlebotomist is a medical professional who has undergone training in taking blood from adults and children. They collect blood for testing to be analyzed in a laboratory. They also collect blood for donation.
How do you become a home IV infusion nurse?
Home IV infusion nurses start their careers like other infusion nurses. They must first obtain a state license after graduation. Then, they must have critical care experience. Such experience proves they have the knowledge and experience to work independently as a home IV infusion nurse.
Is infusion nursing stressful?
Infusion nursing is a job that may be less stressful than other similar professions. For example, there are positions where a nurse’s work is far more stressful, such as intensive care, emergency room, and acute care.
Furthermore, an IV nurse’s working hours may be traditional and may not require weekend work. Your work would be more flexible if you worked as a mobile IV nurse.
Conclusion
Although the work can be demanding at times, an IV therapy nurse is one of the most important positions when it comes to IV therapy. In addition to administering medications and fluids, the IV nurse oversees the procedure and monitors patient behavior.
As part of the team, the IV nurse can collaborate with other healthcare professionals and other health personnel to provide quality health services and patient care.
Hopefully, you have learned what does an IV therapy nurse do and what her responsibilities are. Although becoming a certified IV nurse is difficult, it is still an interesting and highly sought-after profession.
