Infusion Nurse

What Is the Role of an Infusion Nurse?

A registered nurse who specializes in the delivery of drugs and fluids by an intravenous (IV) line, central line, or venous access port is known as an infusion nurse. They can act as a resource for hospitals by initiating lines and instructing new nurses on how to establish and maintain IV access. To monitor patients properly throughout infusion therapy, an infusion nurse must be knowledgeable on pharmacology, laboratory testing, and occasionally even telemetry. Additionally, they possess a steady hand, a keen eye, and an abundance of patience.

What Types of Jobs Do Infusion Nurses Have?

Infusion nurses can take on the following duties in the hospital setting:

  • Nurse at the bedside
  • Nurse with a Peripherally Inserted Central Line (PICC)

Additionally, they may work in outpatient departments such as:

  • Centers for infusion
  • Oncology
  • Primary care at home
  • Facilities for long-term care
  • Nursing homes with specialized care

What Are the Responsibilities of Infusion Nurses?

Infusion nurses are responsible for introducing and maintaining intravenous lines and tubing, giving medication and hydration therapy, and educating families about line care and maintenance.

What Are the Duties of an Infusion Nurse?

Infusion nurses can work in a variety of settings. An infusion nurse may do the following tasks in a hospital setting:

  • As a resource, assist in the establishment of intravenous lines.
  • PICC or midline insertion and maintenance
  • Changes of the PICC/midline dressing on a routine basis
  • Intravenous access and PICC implantation education
  • Additionally, outpatient or ambulatory care infusion nurses perform a variety of occupational functions. These may include the following:
  • Infusion of chemotherapy on an intermittent basis
  • Transfusions of blood
  • Infusions of antibiotics
  • Infusions of steroids
  • Supplemental nutrition/vitamin infusions
  • Infusions of fluid/electrolyte

The following duties are shared by both inpatient and outpatient infusion nurses:

  • Education of the patient and family of the line site, tubing, and catheter management
  • Patient/family education of the therapeutic rationale
  • Education about possible side effects/adverse effects of therapy, as well as how to report infection signs and symptoms
  • Throughout the course of therapy, collaboration and communication with the ordering physician are essential.
  • Maintenance and troubleshooting of lines
  • Medications and fluid treatment administration
  • Examining pertinent laboratory values and medication information
  • Developing a plan of care for infusion treatment in collaboration with the patient, family, and physician
  • Throughout the course of treatment, monitor the patient’s response to the treatment.
  • Conducting routine inspections of the line’s location and integrity, with an emphasis on infection control and prevention

Salary and Employment for Infusion Nurses

Nurses that specialize in infusion therapy may be in great demand. Numerous people are being discharged from hospitals despite the fact that they require continued therapy. A patient who is medically stable does not require an extended hospital stay to get infusions. Outpatient infusions have increased in popularity as hospitals strive to cut costs. According to the website of The National Home Infusion Association, home infusion is a safe and effective alternative to inpatient infusion treatment that allows patients to resume normal activities sooner. As a result, the demand for infusion nurses increases. According to salary.guide, the median annual compensation for an infusion nurse is $83,171. This, however, varies according on the state and organization in which the nurse works.