PICC line nurses, do you like what you do?

Flatline, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2017

Best job I ever had, most rewarding, most fun, most independent, and most lucrative.

I liked the fact that my opinion was valued by physicians, I worked independently setting my own schedule, the charting was short and simple, it was fun and technical, and it was interesting without all the personal patient care.

Allowed me to work for a 3rd party company placing PICCs in homes and LTC which paid very well ($100 to access a port/draw blood) and up to $300 per PICC I placed. I would go out on my lunch and provide vascular access services to the surround LTC facilities and would make more during that lunch than I did all shift long at the hospital.

Great specialty to get into.

anyname02 · Mar 23, 2017

Wow! First of all, I just have to say that I was not expecting such a positive answer. Thanks so much for your comment. This sounds like my dream job in many different ways. It sounds very different from most other nursing specialties, especially the fact that you were allowed to work independently and set your own hours. It's nice to have a certain degree of autonomy in your work life. I am definitely going to have to look into this.

iluvivt, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2017

I love what I doI work on a hospital based IV team and placing PICCs is just one of many things I do.I have both my CRNI and VA/BC as I do not consider myself just as being technical. I also work for a home infusion company.There I get to administer all types of IV medications for both chronic and acute conditions.I really enjoy this job too! I consider myself lucky to have 2 jobs that I enjoy.I work really hard at staying current.

anyname02 · Mar 23, 2017

Hi! So you have more than 30 years of experience and you love your jobs? That's amazing! You hear a lot of people saying that nursing has changed for the worse over the years, so it's great to hear that you have found a specialty that you find satisfying. I hope to be in that position one day.

iluvivt, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2017

I do completely enjoy what I do and I have so much gratitude for everything that the nursing profession has provided me wirh.Do I have tough days? Yes,mostly related to dealing with difficult patients or families .I hate dealing with bitter, angry people who take it out on the nurses! I have taken many courses on strategies to deescalate but still do not enjoy this aspect of my job!

MikeyT-c-IV · Mar 24, 2017

Yes, I love being a vascular access nurse. I feel that there is more independence vs other nursing positions I have held. I work hospital based and with a PRN travel PICC team. Both jobs are wonderful. I feel that the hours are more flexible as there is not another nurse waiting for me to show up to get report.

I enjoy the technical aspect and the individual challenges I'm faced with on a daily basis. I also enjoy working with the physicians and my nurse colleagues in discussing the best vascular access options for a patient. Once you are an expert with ultrasound guidance the patients will love you. We have many that come back to our hospital because of the experience they had with our vascular access team.

It's heavy on the education. Some patients require more explanation and sometimes conversations can be lengthy but that's okay. I enjoy the teaching. Especially if it helps calm them.

And.... it's just fun.