IV therapy/infusion clinic

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Hello all!

So I am currently in LTC. Looking to get out. I really want to go back to med-surg, but am trying to keep my options open as well. I have kind of been intrigued by IV therapy/infusion nursing as well. Today I applied for an inpatient IV therapy team as well as an outpatient infusion clinic. I am really not familiar with what a typical day looks like. Anyone in either of these positions that can give some in sight?

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Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.

The infectious disease practice where I go has an infusion clinic. The nurses educate pts, draw labs, change dressings. Infuse ivpb and push meds. This is just what I see, I am dure they do much more. They hand out supplies/ meds for the patients to do their own meds, like me. Interesting job.

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Specializes in BMT/oncology.

I don't have any helpful information but it's something that's helped intrigued me as well.

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

I do IV nursing, and have for about three plus years. I hate it to be honest, it is so repetitive that it gets old quick. I am in the process of trying to get a job back at the bedside. The plus side is you only have to deal with difficult patients for a short period, and then you move on. The downside is you loose your skills. I haven't given a medication (other then meds to declot a line), as a nurse, in about 3 years at least. One of our nurses just tried to get a job as an ER nurse (she was one many years ago) and they told her no because she has been "away from the bedside for too long".

My recommendation is maybe take the infusion clinic job, and not the IV team job.

Annie

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I do IV nursing, and have for about three plus years. I hate it to be honest, it is so repetitive that it gets old quick. I am in the process of trying to get a job back at the bedside. The plus side is you only have to deal with difficult patients for a short period, and then you move on. The downside is you loose your skills. I haven't given a medication (other then meds to declot a line), as a nurse, in about 3 years at least. One of our nurses just tried to get a job as an ER nurse (she was one many years ago) and they told her no because she has been "away from the bedside for too long".

My recommendation is maybe take the infusion clinic job, and not the IV team job.

Annie

Interesting, thanks! I am definatly looking for some more "excitement" I have a med-surg application in. And I was a little nervous about the IV team for that reason. I do think the clinic would entail more skills..... we will just have to see! I am also keeping my eye out for other med surg positions, but there isn't much out there for my area at the moment

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Specializes in Vascular Access.
Interesting, thanks! I am definatly looking for some more "excitement" I have a med-surg application in. And I was a little nervous about the IV team for that reason. I do think the clinic would entail more skills..... we will just have to see! I am also keeping my eye out for other med surg positions, but there isn't much out there for my area at the moment

I disagree Annie. My love has been IV nursing for 28 years, or since 1990. In 1999, Life happened, and I went back to Hospital nursing for 4 years, and then came back to IV therapy. IV therapy is a specialty and one that has been my bread and butter, and I love it. Now, Working in an Infusion Clinic is a bit different than going around placing PICC's or Midlines and Declotting IV catheters, or Educating on IV therapy. Everyone eventually finds their niche in nursing, so it all depends on what brings you pleasure, as I see my role NOT as a Job that I have to go to every day, but as an opportunity to provide the best care with IVT possible.

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