by Leslie Nikou
INSider Associate Managing Editor, Infusion Nurses Society
 
Infusion therapy has evolved from an extreme measure used on only the most critically ill to a highly specialized mode of treatment used for 90 percent or more of all hospitalized patients. No longer confined to the hospital setting, infusion therapies are now delivered in alternative care sites, such as homes, skilled nursing facilities, and physicians’ offices.

Nursing involvement in the practice of infusion therapy has become a highly specialized practice. The role of the nurse in infusion therapy has changed a great deal over the past 50 years. Today’s infusion nurse is responsible for integrating the holistic principles of medicine and nursing, management, marketing, education, and performance improvement into the patient's plan of care. Clinical expertise is key. Nurses who specialize in infusion therapy, particularly, certified registered nurses of infusion (CRNI^®s), are an integral part of health care teams that provide the correct dose of medication and keep patients safe from catheter-related bloodstream infections and other complications. CRNI^®s are part of a global community of elite nurses  across multiple disciplines—including home care, pediatrics, oncology, and many more—who have demonstrated through certification that they are the most informed, and most highly qualified infusion nursing specialists. CRNI^®s are continuously exposed to the newest advances and latest developments, technologies, and techniques in the infusion nursing specialty.
 
On January 25, infusion nurses and other health care professionals will observe National IV Nurse Day. Proclaimed by then Massachusetts Congressman Ed Markey in 1980, the U.S. House of Representatives designated this day to honor and recognize the accomplishments of the nation's infusion nurse specialists each year, as well as the Infusion Nurses Society (INS). Markey called the specialty “a vital branch of our nation’s nursing profession.” INS CEO Mary Alexander, MA, RN, CRNI^®, CAE, FAAN, stated that "INS and infusion therapy have come a long way in the last 50 years. Medical technology has changed dramatically and today our specialty looks very different. Celebrating IV Nurse Day gives us an opportunity to recognize the evolution of our specialty and the significant contributions that infusion nurses make in their patients' lives."

IV Nurse Day promotes the advancement of the specialty and recognizes decades of continuing education, advocacy, and professional development offered by the infusion nursing community. This year's theme, “It’s About Us. It’s About Infusion,” invites nurses everywhere to commemorate their commitment to their work and to their patients.

It is the perfect opportunity to increase recognition of the specialty, whether displaying IV Nurse Day posters around your medical practice, hosting a CRNI^® educational event, or sporting some new IV Nurse Day gear. Order yours at www.jimcolemanstore.com/ins. Email photos of your IV Nurse Day event to [email protected], and we’ll share them in a future INSider. Happy celebrating!

For more information, visit http://www.ins1.org/IVNurseDay.
 

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Leslie Nikou is responsible for managing the manuscript submission process for the Journal of Infusion Nursing from start to finish. She assists in manuscript selection and works with reviewers, authors, and publication staff to deliver polished, relevant content in each print issue. Leslie also oversees the editorial content of INS’ membership publication INSider, as well as other INS-related print and web materials. Prior to joining INS, Leslie served as a multimedia staff editor for a monthly RF/engineering publication. She is also a veteran news and promotions writer/producer, with more than 15 years’ experience in the Boston and Rhode Island television markets. Leslie is an avid photo enthusiast and loves to create scrapbooks detailing the milestones, adventures, holidays, and activities of life with her husband and two daughters. When she’s not busy attending soccer games or dance rehearsals, Leslie enjoys catching up with family and friends, movies, shopping, and planning her family’s next getaway. She can be reached at [email protected]

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