Great discussion going on. Let me add my two cents as an observer. I am a CRNI and an OCN and have been for many years. I am also a member of AVA. I do not see why there needs to be any "competition" between any of these groups. They are all very valuable and do overlap on many issues that affect patient care. I have a unique position to be clinical manager of several departments at two sister hospitals. I have two outpatient infusion centers, home infusion and two inpatient Vascualar Access Teams. Several of my staff are cross-trained into each area. I am responsible for writing and maintaining all the IV related policies for both hospitals. Our outpatient infusion area also does a lot of chemotherapy and I am a ONS chemotherapy/biotherapy trainer. My biggest issue has always been communication through all these venues. I think it is great that the practioners placing PICCs have a pretty good understanding of the unique needs of the patient going home for their infusion treatment. Likewise, my ambulatory infusion nurses place PICCs, can teach home TPN and give chemotherapy. I try to encourage my staff to either get their CRNI or OCN or attend AVA. We all share our information.
Personally, the CRNI has been the easiest for me to maintain since I attend the conference every third year. I am grateful to AVA and NHIA for providing CRNI credit courses. I have had to retest for the OCN every 4 years for the last 18 years. Never seem to have time to get enough CE's or get published.
Attending conferences may be expensive, but having to study and retest takes up a lot of my time which is a very valuable commodity these days. I like going to a conference and getting it all done at once!
Sue Kilbourne OCN CRNI
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