Supervisor transitioning to IV RN

Specialties Infusion

Published

Been in medical field off and on since 1978. Started as lab tech and enjoyed obtaining venous and arterial blood samples. Became RN 2014 and have been cert for peripheral  IVs yearly. Moved to new state, took PICC class and would like to work in cath lab or interventional radiology. I did take ACLS, but am barely literate with strip reading. My only RN experience is a bit of geriatric, hospice and a few total knees and hips. Where can I find a position that does mainly IVs so that I can get more PICC practice and sit for my CRNI boards? I look great on paper, but when I tell them I can’t really do tely and have never set up a 12 lead, I can’t get the job. Crazy to have all these credentials, good references, and yet no one wants to teach. Help, 

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Specializes in Med Surg, Tele, Geriatrics, home infusion.
On 7/8/2021 at 7:49 AM, RNBSC said:

Been in medical field off and on since 1978. Started as lab tech and enjoyed obtaining venous and arterial blood samples. Became RN 2014 and have been cert for peripheral  IVs yearly. Moved to new state, took PICC class and would like to work in cath lab or interventional radiology. I did take ACLS, but am barely literate with strip reading. My only RN experience is a bit of geriatric, hospice and a few total knees and hips. Where can I find a position that does mainly IVs so that I can get more PICC practice and sit for my CRNI boards? I look great on paper, but when I tell them I can’t really do tely and have never set up a 12 lead, I can’t get the job. Crazy to have all these credentials, good references, and yet no one wants to teach. Help, 

Curious if you ever found a position as an IV nurse?

There is a big difference between being good at peripheral IVs and being a PICC nurse. I started out by asking the IV nurse to teach me how to place regular peripheral IVs (PIV) then made it known on my med Surg floor that I'm happy to put everyone's IVs in (if I wasn't too busy). Once I had a hundred or so sticks I applied for a home infusion job and to be per diem on the IV team. This allowed me to be trained in accessing ports, using ultrasound (still a ways to go on this one) and placing PIVs in babies/kids (toddlers are so tough!). I studied for 6 months using the INS membership resources and CRNI study app then went to test for it and while it was hard I felt well prepared/ passed on the first try. I'm hoping to acquire a day shift position on the IV team so that I can be trained to place PICCs and Mids but waiting my turn as it goes by seniority. 

This IV specialty section of all nurses is super quiet. Would love to hear about other IV nurses experiences!

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