IV nursing question/advice

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Specializes in ER.

I have only been nursing for about 3 years in the ER. I've become pretty good at starting IV's and love to try and get the "hard sticks." If I could start IV's all day that's what I'd do. Everyone asks why I dont become a PICC nurse, but that doesnt sound too appealing, but maybe I would like it. Are they're any nursing areas that require alot of IV experience besides ER? I'm starting to get burned out on ER....

Thanks for any advice!!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Some hospitals have IV teams, and I've also seen jobs posted in various places for outpatient IV therapy RNs. Might be something to check out. Good luck!

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I second the IV team idea, also look in to short procedure units. Any place that has a lot of patients coming in for light or moderate sedation for a procedure is going to need IVs started on all patients as a routine.

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Specializes in ER.

Thank you both for replying! This is stuff I dont know, sounds good to me! I appreciate it!

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Specializes in critical care, PACU.

do infusion nursing! it's awesome!

you just give chemo and abx op all day and you definitely have to be good at IVs because it's just you there. I think you need to get certified but employers may cover it for you.

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Specializes in CCU MICU Rapid Response.

Outpatient surgical, outpatient chemo and rapid response come to mind. Ivanna

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Specializes in ED.

Infusion companies might be right up your alley. A friend of mine does it and she just goes to 4-8 homes per week, starts an IV and gives IV meds. She might access a PICC or something like that too. She gets pain very well for sitting there for a few hours to run some meds.

We have a congestive heart failure clinic in our hospital and all they do all day long is start IVs and do their med thing.

I work in an ER full time but have a PRN job at an outpatient surgery center. I do pre-op and probably start about 10 IVs before 2pm. They are usually super easy sticks but it is still good practice.

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