Infusion RN for new grad with lots of IV experience prior to RN school

Specialties Infusion

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

How do you guys feel about this line of work for a new grad that has a lot of IV experience prior to nursing school? I did them a ton while I was in the Navy, then I worked as a phlebotomist, so TONS of sticking experience, but I haven't worked with a lot of ports and such. I accepted a position, and have made it clear that I do expect training before I do something new (I have a funny thing about being SAFE). I know they have a lot of IVIG infusions, something I haven't yet done, but I'm not familiar with what's different about IG infusions (yet). I do my paperwork Monday, and will be finding out more, of course, but I wanted to get input from those already in the field.

Thanks in advance! :)

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I don't think you'll have any issues, especially with previous IV experience. What's your concern centering on?

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
I don't think you'll have any issues, especially with previous IV experience. What's your concern centering on?

No specific concerns, but just curious if anyone had any input. One of the nurses I was in the Navy with said on FB to be careful with agencies, and that had I not been on of her HMs, she'd have concerns about home care for a new grad.

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Infusion nursing vs straight up home health are two very different things. Infusion nursing should be focused on the infusion, plain and simple versus the more holistic side of home health.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
Infusion nursing vs straight up home health are two very different things. Infusion nursing should be focused on the infusion, plain and simple versus the more holistic side of home health.

That's kind of what I figured as well. I feel like this is a narrow enough scope that I can focus on just this area of nursing for now, without all of the comprehensive care of home health. I have family with home health nurses, so I understand what all that can entail, and that doesn't interest me, honestly, but home infusion seems like a great way to really harness my IV skills even more, and to expose myself to ports and infusions with which I may not have much experience, like blood or certain meds that may be complex. These are things I may still see in my desired specialty (OB), especially for high risk patients.

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Some of the things you'll see in Infusion nursing won't follow you to OB, and I can't imagine you'll see too many central lines unless the patient has severe hyperemesis, but they're good skills to have either way. I spent time in Infusion nursing during my time in service and I really enjoyed it.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I know there will plenty of things that won't translate, but I figure some will. Certainly can't hurt! :) I know we do hang blood fairly frequently in OB, and I would imagine there will be some of that with home infusion. With the complexities of that, I'd be thrilled to have some experience under my belt.

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Absolutely. I can't imagine any experience would be a bad thing in this economy! Best of luck at the new job!

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Question - do you do blood in home setting? I can't see it being done?

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

what setting are you going to be working in..is it home infusion or on an IV team? I can direct you to some great articles on administering IVIG as I have given more immune globulin more that any other IV medication except for IV antibiotics (as a class of drugs ). I do both..home infusion as well as an IV team and PICC team.I have several suggestions for IV books that you need to read. You would be surprised what there is to know about this speciality!

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab, CNA, HHA, Nurse Mentor.

I didn't realize that there was an IVIG section here, since I live and breathe it. I started out in IVIG as an LPN in an office infusion suite setting, now I'm an IV instructor and a RN with credentials!

Main things to worry are the following:

Proper rate: You can't go running all patients at the same rate. Gamma globulin whether its Privigen or Gammagard to Gammaked to Bivigam, you could cause side effects such as headaches, low flank pain during or post infusion or nausea and vomiting or even a nice CVA or MI. Even if it's someone who has been getting it for years. It's based on weight and also comorbidities. Go slow or say no!

IV Port Access: Please make sure the port is well flushed. 9 times out of 10, the two reasons someone has a port is because of chemotherapy or incredibly horrible vein access, so make sure you flush according to your protocol. Also, make sure it's a well sterile environment, God forbid you don't access it right and the patient ends up with an infection. Trick I use, a non sterile pair of gloves and an alcohol wipe prior to using a chloroprep kit. This allows you to feel the port and find your target without jeopardizing the sterile field.

Vitals: We all know taking vitals manually can get old and annoying, sure. But in an IVIG setting, it will and can save or at least alarm you of an upcoming turn of events. If you notice their vitals are elevating or decreasing slightly, that's fine. But if the first set of vitals are low and half way in the infusion it gets even lower, put their feet up and monitor. Also, check their pupils for dilation. If it gets higher and higher, lower the rate and definitely notify the MD.

Last but not least, Premeds: If a patient you've never started before tells you, "I'm a strange case, I'm allergic to everything. I this and I that and I get nauseous easily and suffer from headaches and sometimes I get diarrhea when the weather is grey and I've got 13000 other doctors that say I shouldn't get this. Don't run for the hills. Pay attention and if the md doesn't request it, be ready or at least ask why not. It's usually just Tylenol, prednisone and some sort of antihistamine taken by mouth or SoluCortef IV push. It's better to be safe than sorry.

I hope this helps you guys out there in the IVIG world. Need anything just drop a line, eh?

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
what setting are you going to be working in..is it home infusion or on an IV team? I can direct you to some great articles on administering IVIG as I have given more immune globulin more that any other IV medication except for IV antibiotics (as a class of drugs ). I do both..home infusion as well as an IV team and PICC team.I have several suggestions for IV books that you need to read. You would be surprised what there is to know about this speciality!

I'll be doing home infusions and sterile dressing changes. Any resources would be awesome! I know I have a lot to learn, and I want to be as safe as possible! Thank you! :)

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