IV Therapy Certification/Training

BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Jan 3, 2009

I'm just curious. I've seen this question several times on this site. I'm not familiar with this type of certification. I've been an RN for just over 10yrs and I was taught to start and maintain IV's in nursing school. None of my interviewers asked me if I was "IV certified", isn't that a given? Am I missing something here?

mauser · Jan 3, 2009

I graduated in 2006 from nursing school and we were not taught how to start IVs. We were told that if our employers would teach us if it was necessary. Both hospitals I worked at (in addition to the one I trained at) had an IV team and they are the only ones allowed to start IVs.

I too, would like to learn so that I am ready for a job that requires IV starts. There was one such opening recently in the hospital and one of my coworkers who had the experience got the job over others who did not.

BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Jan 5, 2009

I graduated in 2006 from nursing school and we were not taught how to start IVs. We were told that if our employers would teach us if it was necessary. Both hospitals I worked at (in addition to the one I trained at) had an IV team and they are the only ones allowed to start IVs.
I too, would like to learn so that I am ready for a job that requires IV starts. There was one such opening recently in the hospital and one of my coworkers who had the experience got the job over others who did not.

Wow,.seriously? How would it NOT be necessary for a nurse to start IV's? Were you taught how to hang fluids/meds, which meds could be pushed etc? Do you mind if I ask what state you live in? I'm amazed, is this more common than I think it is?

redfoxLPN · Jan 5, 2009

In NY LPN's are not trainded in IV starts or fluid/med hang. Each Hospital has it own training class. Must work for them for 6 months first.

berrycomet · Jan 5, 2009

Wow,.seriously? How would it NOT be necessary for a nurse to start IV's? Were you taught how to hang fluids/meds, which meds could be pushed etc? Do you mind if I ask what state you live in? I'm amazed, is this more common than I think it is?

Wow.. and I thought my country is the only one that almost requires an IV certification and training! In my country, being over supplied with nurses, it is even so hard for us to get a slot in an IV therapy course! Well,most hospitals here require entry level nurses to licensed IV therapists, so even if they say that it is not really necessary, we definitely have to acquire ourselves with this training just so that we could get accepted... and reality is, in most hospitals, even if you are licensed IV therapy nurse, they would not allow you to perform IV insertions, unless you're stationed in the ER or ICU. Oh well.

wonteversettle · Oct 27, 2009

LPN's don't get trained to do IV's. We are always told that the hospital we are working will train us and so forth. Myself being a recent grad have run into a few jobs for LPN's asking for that certification. I guess that is another one of those drawbacks to not having RN behind our names. That along with seeing posting that say Responsibilities: Semi-skilled nursing duties... Such a kick in the face sometimes!

hotflashion, BSN, RN · Oct 27, 2009

In MA, at least at my school, and I'm an RN w/BSN, we do not get trained to put in the needle. We, too, are told we will be trained on the job. We get everything else, but no venipuncture. So, since I am a new grad w/o a job, I would love to know if I can get this training. I've been thinking that if I don't have a job by the new year that I'll sign up for the Red Cross Phlebotomy course (~$1000 and 6 weeks), thinking this will make me more marketable. Any opinions on this?

HF

IVRUS, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2009

Hotflashion,

I encourage you to check out your local Omnicare pharmacies. I believe that there is one in Wakefield and Springfield, MA. Many Omnicare pharmacies give hands on IV training to RN's and LPN's. Hope this helps!

hotflashion, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2009

Cool, thanks, I will!

hotflashion, BSN, RN · Jan 14, 2010

Well, I never found any IV training for unemployed nurses, so I enrolled in the Red Cross phlebotomy class. We've got one week of class (this week), we get to take a tourniquet home for the weekend, and we start jabbing each other next Wednesday. I hate to be stuck with a needle myself and I'm not keen on sticking anyone else, but I expect I will be getting used to it!

Nine out of the 10 or so nurses I asked, said go for it. One said she would hire the nurse who had phlebotomy skills over the one who didn't. The one nurse who was negative is generally negative on doing anything that is "below" the level of RN. I've always been willing to do anything and think any education is good education, so I'm going for it.

I'll let ya know how it goes.

OldnurseRN · Jan 15, 2010

Our state allows LPNs who have taken the IV course to start IVs. The only requirement is they must have at least 2080 hours working as an LPN. They are not allowed to hang the first antibiotic, give any push drugs, or do anything with any central lines or PICCs, including hang any pre-mix antibiotics or flushing. They cannot start an IV on anyone under the age of 12. It is a huge asset to have IV capable RNs.