The best use of the term of course refers to the national professional credential -CRNI- available through INS.
There are strict, standardized criteria for what the credential means in terms of your specialty knowledge and experience.
The state level of IV "certification" -
Most Board of Nursing regulations list education requirements for nurses who will be responsible for patients receiving IV therapy. The Board regs are focused on patient safety - including assessing and monitoring for complications and not just skills such as venipuncture.
This is a state specific process - is not standardized - and has no meaning outside of that state.
Contact hour requirements vary from "documented education" (with no specific hours) to 60 hours of classroom education.
Some states require a clinical component, some have no requirement for demonstrating clinical skills.
Unfortunately, some states still call this IV Certification in their Board regulations.
As noted in other message threads, this state process is often specific to LPNs and may not be required for RNs.
The third way that the term IV certification is used is by individual employers.
Hospital policies have traditionally used the term "IV certified" when they mean the nurse has been deemed competent to insert a peripheral IV independently - usually after three whole successful supervised IV insertions - that'll do it for sure! :)
Using the "certification" term for competency validation causes huge confusion. Most nurses do not understand that this competency validation is good only for that specific employer and does not apply anywhere else they may work. Worse - many employers are not aware of their responsibility to validate competency and will accept that the nurse has been "IV certified" elsewhere without asking for any documentation.
As Lynn notes, no IV class makes a nurse certified or competent.
You have just successfully completed that course material.
On Mar 9, 2006, at 4:07 PM, Susan Fullana wrote:
I would like to see IV courses referred to "validation" or something else. To be "certified" in IV therapy, one must take and pass the exam for CRNI. There is a big difference and I think nurses who go on to study for, take the exam and pass are recognized for their knowledge and excellence in IV therapy. A course which lasts a few hours and gives someone a "certification" is an insult to all of our colleagues who have earned CRNI---a credential after their names.
Note: forwarded message attached.
Susan J. Fullana![]()
Date: March 9, 2006 12:15:10 PM EST
Subject: RE: Question for a colleague
Ah my pet peve...
As many states implemented IV certification requirements for LVN/LPN - it has always been obvious that these
training programs far exceed any training porvided in RN programs. I have never seen or heard of any comparable RN training...
On occasion I have provided a 4 hour crash course at a BSN level program at a local university. The University felt 4 hours was sufficient. My thoughts were - if that was all the time alloted - better 4 hours than no hours.
I am always thrilled when RNs enroll in the classes I now offer - and many do.... Some are personally more consciencious than others in realizing they should have additional training...
I urge every nursing program to incorporate IV training (similar to LVN requirements) into their programs.
The training model exists in many state Nurse Practice Acts.
The lawyer in me thinks no nurse should perform IV patient care without some prior training.
Ann Zonderman, BSN, JD, CRNI, LHRM
I am posting this question for a nursing colleague doing some research. Thanks, Lynn
The Situation: New nurses, on a national level, are lacking the ability to perform many basic nursing skills when hired. Controversy also exists as to whether starting an IV is considered a basic nursing skill and whether IV insertions are even being taught during nursing. Through literature, it has been suggested that there is little, if any, IV insertion skills taught during nursing school. At the same time, other literature is indicating that IV insertion skills are being taught during nursing school.
The Questions: Were you provided any form of IV insertion instruction (i.e., lecture, lecture/ demonstration, fake rubber arm or simulated device, computer program, CathSim, or other devices.....) during your nursing school program? YES________, or NO_______.
What year did you graduate from your nursing program?
Thanks, Lynn
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