IV spa/infusion center

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

Specializes in Med-Surg Tele.

Have any of you worked in an Infusion center/ IV nutrition/ IV spa type setting.  I am thinking about trying it part time one shift a week.  I have a background in massage therapy, so working in an environment that has that feel and alternative, elective treatments doesn't ruffle my feathers as long as they are safe.  I love starting IVs and have plenty of experience, I like the laid back environment and the pay is great.  My biggest concern is I would be working mostly independently, the Nurse practitioner is the owner and oversees everything, but is not always readily available and I'm not sure about the liability aspect.  I'm not really even sure where to begin looking into this...there is not a contract for me to sign or anything to really read over, which has me wondering...would I be putting myself and my license potentially at risk?  Thoughts, experiences, resources?  TIA!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CTICU.

I worked at an infusion clinic PRN for a while.  I never felt unsafe in that environment.  You don't have many medications to work with, and All of the medications you are administering are rather innocuous for the most part (zofran, toradol, B12 and other vitamins, O2).  Make sure you are comfortable in recognizing allergic reactions, and know the 4 medications you will be administering front and back.  Other wise, it's rather cushy.  Good pay, normal hours, mostly friendly consumers.  If you aren't at least 7/10 with IVs though don't even consider it if you are the only RN on property because many of the people that come into these places are vascularly challenged.

5
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg Tele.
15 minutes ago, Redd.CCRN said:

I worked at an infusion clinic PRN for a while.  I never felt image in the environment, after all you are following orders.  All of the medications you are administering will be rather innocuous for the most part (zofran, toradol, B12 and other vitamins, O2).  Make sure you are comfortable in recognizing allergic reactions, and know the 4 medications you will be administering front and back.  Other wise, it's rather cushy.  Good pay, normal hours, mostly friendly consumers.  If you aren't at least 7/10 with IVs though don't even consider it if you are the only RN on property because many of the people that come into these places are vascularly challenged.

Thank you, that's kind of what I was thinking...I'm not prescribing and they do not offer things like turmeric drips or apitherapy injections, etc.   I hope my IV skills are good...I've worked a lot of jobs where people do not have good veins (acute medical dialysis, oncology before port access).  I'm not perfect and it would be frustrating to feel like it's time to let another nurse try, but there isn't another nurse!  Something to think about!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB.

Curious, what type of "infusions" are we talking about?  Is it like those hangover services where you give banana bags?  A poster above mentioned Toradol?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CTICU.
9 minutes ago, LibraSunCNM said:

Curious, what type of "infusions" are we talking about?  Is it like those hangover services where you give banana bags?  A poster above mentioned Toradol?

The facility I worked at used toradol, pepcid, zofran, and micro nutrients (vitamins\minerals) in minimal dosages mixed into 1000 mL LR bags.  No IV pushes. Everything is compatible.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Retired.

What is an IV "spa"?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Certified Vampire and Part-time Nursing Student.
49 minutes ago, Undercat said:

What is an IV "spa"?

It's a money grab from rich people. Overstating health benefits for things that don't make a difference in health individuals or banana bags for hang-overs.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CTICU.
6 minutes ago, OpinionatedCNA said:

It's a money grab from rich people. Overstating health benefits for things that don't make a difference in health individuals or banana bags for hang-overs.

To add to your answer, it's a facility they provides IV hydration and limited medication administration by client request off a menu rather than by provider suggestion.  It still requires a provider's prescription and an order, as well as a nurses prior health assessment before administering.

A large number of clients do seem to have more money than they know what to do with, and are asking for treatments with little knowledge of their efficacy or purpose.  But hey, if you wanna show off have at it.

And yet, it's still a ligitimate practice. It's especially helpful for clients with chronic migraines, absorbtion disorders (e.g. Roux-en-Y bypass), DI, endurance athletes.  Not everything is readily absorbed through the digestive system.  It's helpful to anyone that requires frequent hydration/micro nutrient replacement without a (sometimes) weekly visit to the doctor's office.  Which is realistically unattainable.

4
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB.

Sounds like a sweet gig, I wish I were better at starting IVs! ?

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.

Redd.CCRN - I like the "vascularly challenged" phrase.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

There is no way in Hades I would administer anything IV... at the patient's request. What is the regulatory body for this spa?

What is the work up required before these fluids and medications  are administered? I would be especially concerned administering IV Toradol.    

 You should be concerned about your liability... YOU are responsible for any of these meds you administer. Very concerning you do not even have a job description.

 

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.

OP - would you even be able to obtain malpractice coverage from an insurer? I'd check that out!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment