How to become a line nurse

[chewkelsey]

Hi There!

I just finished my general AA at the local college to apply into the RN program.

I explained to my advisor that my career goal is to become a line nurse. She said this is how I do it...

1)apply to the RN program

2)do the 2 year RN program which will give me an AS degree for nursing

3)take the RN exam

4)apply to state college

5)do the 2 year RN program there which will give me a BS degree for nursing

6)take the line nurse course (which I was told is 1 day)

7) take the line nurse exam

First that seems like a lot of unnecessary steps! Second I find it hard to believe the line nurse course is 1 day. I went to school 6 months to become a certified phlebotomist. Last can someone please please please point me in the right direction?

Thank you!

[IVRUS, BSN, RN]

Are you speaking to your desire to become a vascular access nurse? There is no such thing as a "line" nurse. Vascular access is a specialty, and it isn't for everyone. You should be proficient in management of CVC's and have several hours under your belt dedicated to IV therapy, before you even attempt to sit for the CRNI exam. It is a grueling exam, and one in which you must be prepared for.

INS recommends 1600 hours in the recent months to even sit for the exam. You do not need your Bachelor's degree, but rather your RN.

[chewkelsey]

Are you speaking to your desire to become a vascular access nurse? There is no such thing as a "line" nurse. Vascular access is a specialty, and it isn't for everyone. You should be proficient in management of CVC's and have several hours under your belt dedicated to IV therapy, before you even attempt to sit for the CRNI exam. It is a grueling exam, and one in which you must be prepared for.

INS recommends 1600 hours in the recent months to even sit for the exam. You do not need your Bachelor's degree, but rather your RN.

is a vascular access nurse the nurse who puts in mid lines?

[Asystole RN]

is a vascular access nurse the nurse who puts in mid lines?

Generally, yes.

The thing with becoming a vascular access nurse is there is a ton of theory and practical experience that has to go behind you to become proficient. Yes the classroom course is typically a single day but that is usually because they expect you to have many years of critical care or infusion therapy experience before you even think of entering vascular access. The classroom course is there to just teach you some of the basic theory experience and then you have to gain hands-on experience.

The rule of thumb is that it generally takes about 100 solo insertions central lines or PICCs before you are considered a proficient stand alone VAS nurse.

I will say that vascular access/infusion therapy has been rewarding to me both professionally and fiscally, it is a great professional goal!

Kindly,

Asystole RN, BSN, CRNI, VA-BC

Vascular Access Specialist