Considering infusion nursing

IVRUS, BSN, RN · Jun 1, 2020

What is it about Med/Surg do you hate? If it's the fact that they have many different types of IV catheters and IV medications, then Infusion nursing is not for you. Infusion nursing is sooo much more than just being a "Good Stick" , it's about knowing where to stick, how to stick, and why you shouldn't stick. It's about knowing you IV catheters inside and out and why one deserves preferential treatment or placement over the others. It's about care and maintenance and having the knowledge base to see optimal patient outcomes given the situation that presents itself. Infusion Therapy is a specialty, and like other specialties, you should have a passion for it.

J-lynn · Jun 3, 2020

Thanks for the response IVRUS. I think a lot of my issues in Nursing are that I am largely a relationship-oriented person in a task oriented profession. I have been out of nursing for many, many years raising kids, and my manager hired me though I had been out of the hospital for over 20 years. I was hired for registry on nights for 12 hour shifts.

But even as a new nurse, I hated Med-Surg. I start my shift feeling overwhelmed with the number of things that need to be done. It has gotten better since I come in early to look at orders and meds for each patient. If I get started being called into rooms before I have had an opportunity to do that then my anxiety is terrible. The fact that I do this job for 12 hours on nights contributes to the stress. I just don't have the energy.

My hope had been that I could get experience that would help me move into an area that was a better fit for me. But I am not sure I can continue. I went in to my supervisor's office last week to discuss it with her and to discuss applying for the infusion position. The visit went extremely well. She feels I would be a good fit for the infusion position but also is encouraging me strongly to continue on the floor. I told her I felt worried that I might be a drain on the other nurses with all my questions. But she told me that whenever she tells the other nurses I am coming in, they are very happy. She says that would not be their reaction if I wasn't pulling my weight on the floor. All the nurses are also telling me I am doing a good job as well-especially considering how hard it is to come back to the hospital after so many years out.

But what they don't see is the stress I am feeling trying to do a good job. One of the charge nurses told me my problem was wanting to know too much about each patient. That is apparently slowing me down. But still I just don't like med-surg and that seems to be a common experience for many nurses. I would have quit this job almost immediately if my husband hadn't pushed me to continue.

What I do like about med-surg is the critical thinking. I like monitoring patients on their progress and trying to help them improve. I love that simple nursing measures can make a big difference in their symptoms improving. I like trying to make the best decisions for my patients and feeling like I am learning things that will make me a better nurse and improve my patients' outcomes. I haven't had many chances to start IV's. But I did clinic nursing before this job and loved drawing labwork on patients. I loved it so much that I considered going to phlebotomy school. I thought I would love the interactions with clients though I would have missed the decision making part of nursing.

Once again, my husband discouraged me from doing that. He is an ER physician and has strong opinions about what he thinks I can do or what he thinks I will like. I think he is finally letting go of all that thank God!! Though he has very important insights for me to think about, I need to find my own way and make my own final decisions.

When the infusion position came open, I began reading a few of the threads here on this forum. I felt excited about the position the more I read, and that is new for me. So I have applied and will see what happens. I haven't heard anything so far so they may not have any interest in me. Whatever happens I will be at peace with it. I just wanted to try to find out if I should apply or not. I guess there is no way anyone can tell me that with 100% accuracy. I just have to make the best decision I can.

If I do get an interview, I plan to ask about shadowing for a day. I think that will give me a pretty good idea if it's for me. I knew without a doubt the very first day on the floor that I had made a big mistake. And I would have left almost immediately without my husband's pushing. Despite the stress it has caused me, I am so grateful for all I have learned.

One last thing I forgot to mention that I did love about the floor--the other nurses. I really, really love being a part of a team helping others. I love learning from all the other nurses. And that is the difficult part of leaving med-surg for me. But the toll it is taking on me is not worth it.

If you took all this time to read this and are willing to share your wisdom then I thank you!!

IVRUS, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2020

16 hours ago, J-lynn said:
Thanks for the response IVRUS. I think a lot of my issues in Nursing are that I am largely a relationship-oriented person in a task oriented profession. I have been out of nursing for many, many years raising kids, and my manager hired me though I had been out of the hospital for over 20 years. I was hired for registry on nights for 12 hour shifts.
But even as a new nurse, I hated Med-Surg. I start my shift feeling overwhelmed with the number of things that need to be done. It has gotten better since I come in early to look at orders and meds for each patient. If I get started being called into rooms before I have had an opportunity to do that then my anxiety is terrible. The fact that I do this job for 12 hours on nights contributes to the stress. I just don't have the energy.
My hope had been that I could get experience that would help me move into an area that was a better fit for me. But I am not sure I can continue. I went in to my supervisor's office last week to discuss it with her and to discuss applying for the infusion position. The visit went extremely well. She feels I would be a good fit for the infusion position but also is encouraging me strongly to continue on the floor. I told her I felt worried that I might be a drain on the other nurses with all my questions. But she told me that whenever she tells the other nurses I am coming in, they are very happy. She says that would not be their reaction if I wasn't pulling my weight on the floor. All the nurses are also telling me I am doing a good job as well-especially considering how hard it is to come back to the hospital after so many years out.
But what they don't see is the stress I am feeling trying to do a good job. One of the charge nurses told me my problem was wanting to know too much about each patient. That is apparently slowing me down. But still I just don't like med-surg and that seems to be a common experience for many nurses. I would have quit this job almost immediately if my husband hadn't pushed me to continue.
What I do like about med-surg is the critical thinking. I like monitoring patients on their progress and trying to help them improve. I love that simple nursing measures can make a big difference in their symptoms improving. I like trying to make the best decisions for my patients and feeling like I am learning things that will make me a better nurse and improve my patients' outcomes. I haven't had many chances to start IV's. But I did clinic nursing before this job and loved drawing labwork on patients. I loved it so much that I considered going to phlebotomy school. I thought I would love the interactions with clients though I would have missed the decision making part of nursing.
Once again, my husband discouraged me from doing that. He is an ER physician and has strong opinions about what he thinks I can do or what he thinks I will like. I think he is finally letting go of all that thank God!! Though he has very important insights for me to think about, I need to find my own way and make my own final decisions.
When the infusion position came open, I began reading a few of the threads here on this forum. I felt excited about the position the more I read, and that is new for me. So I have applied and will see what happens. I haven't heard anything so far so they may not have any interest in me. Whatever happens I will be at peace with it. I just wanted to try to find out if I should apply or not. I guess there is no way anyone can tell me that with 100% accuracy. I just have to make the best decision I can.
If I do get an interview, I plan to ask about shadowing for a day. I think that will give me a pretty good idea if it's for me. I knew without a doubt the very first day on the floor that I had made a big mistake. And I would have left almost immediately without my husband's pushing. Despite the stress it has caused me, I am so grateful for all I have learned.
One last thing I forgot to mention that I did love about the floor--the other nurses. I really, really love being a part of a team helping others. I love learning from all the other nurses. And that is the difficult part of leaving med-surg for me. But the toll it is taking on me is not worth it.
If you took all this time to read this and are willing to share your wisdom then I thank you!!

Feel free to PM me, and I'd be happy to speak with you on the phone...

scribblz, BSN, CNA, LPN · Jun 15, 2020

Hi J-lynn,

IVRUS gave you some excellent advice would agree with everything they said. I am a part time med surg nurse 7p-7a x2 years and before that LTC x 10 years. My 2 nursing loves are vascular access/ infusion and wound care. 6 months ago I started doing home care infusions and joined my hospital IV team about a month ago. I love the one on one and specialty consultant aspect of it. There's so much to learn, it's interesting and rewarding so I just wanted to chime in to go for it!!

Best of luck to you ☺️

J-lynn · Jun 15, 2020

Thanks so much for the input Scribblz! I had the interview on Friday. Not feeling overly great about my interview performance, but I am planning to shadow for a day if they want me and will likely accept the job if it is offered. Thank you for the encouragement!

amoLucia · Jun 17, 2020

OP - go for it! It is a specialty unto itself and you will learn. And there are possibilities for your future.

J-lynn · Jun 18, 2020

Thanks so much amoLucia! I interviewed but haven't had any word back yet. It will happen if it is meant to be I am sure!