IV Certification

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Do you all require a certification course before you all staff to do IVs? It used to be we were all taught the basics in school and then someone who knew what they were doing would watch and sign off. The place I'm at now requires certification-- trouble is I have a bunch of new nurses and not enough classes. I'm not sure it's a real thing or a thing the former DNS thought up.

[oncivrn]

Never heard of such a thing for RNs. But each institution has their policies. We used to have a certification for phlebotomy but did away with that.

I don't know how a class can really teach IV skills. Unless you are talking about just operating the infusion pumps.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

I found out from corporate that it WAS something the former DON made up.

[deliriumtrigg3r]

My facility has the IV certification class... We can't hang IV meds or operate the pumps until we get signed off on it. It was like a 3 hour in-service. I think its just like an extended orientation but more specific. Like if you got new equipment, people have to get signed off to use it.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

I think in PA, the lpns must have this certification. We recently had our pharmacy IV nurse some in and do a two day in-service. I found it to be a great review and informative. (I never thought i would say that:)