CRNI and VAcc

[thomas76]

I wanted input from anyone who is CRNI and or VACC certified. Is it beneficial to have both? Right now Iam CRNI but I dont see any benefits from it. We place piccs and do followup care. We dont administer any infusions. So Iam thinking to get VACC certified instead.

[Asystole RN]

Vascular access is not a task where you just put a tube in someone. If you are not assessing the patient's needs, current and future infusion therapies when deciding the appropriate type of access then you are doing it wrong.

My CRNI is about 1000x more important than my VA-BC.

Asystole RN, BSN, CRNI, VA-BC

[thomas76]

Unfortunately in our institution there is no autonomy..we basically just put in piccs and change dressings, because that is what is expected. Having my crni holds no value. So that is why I wonder what am I doing with my crni..

[AWellborn]

I am in the same position. While we do a complete assessment of patient and needs, we are discouraged from thinking any further than the PICC placement process. After reviewing the CRNI exam outline, much of the content is beyond what we currently do. However, I am hoping we can change the way our administrators think and grow our program into a true vascular access team - not just the cath lab nurses who are bailing out the staff nurse who can't start an IV. While I am going to start with AVA certification (only because I've already started with their study guide) I think it is worth going on to CRNI for rounding out my knowledge.