Celebrate the 4th Nurses Day

by Leslie Nikou
Deputy Editor, Society of Infusion Nurses

Infusion therapy has evolved from an extreme measure used only on essentially the most seriously in poor health to a highly specialized treatment used on 90 percent or more of all hospitalized patients. Infusion therapies aren’t any longer limited to hospitals, but are actually delivered in alternative care settings corresponding to homes, expert nursing facilities and doctor’s offices.

Nurse involvement within the practice of infusion therapy has grow to be a highly specialized practice. The role of the nurse in infusion therapy has modified greatly over the past 50 years. Today’s infusion nurse is accountable for incorporating holistic principles of drugs and nursing, management, marketing, education, and performance improvement into the patient’s care plan. Clinical knowledge is vital. Nurses specializing in infusion therapy, specifically registered nurses specializing in infusion therapy (CRNI^®s), are an integral a part of health care teams that ensure the right dosage of medicines and protect patients against bloodstream infections and other catheter-related complications. CRNI^®are a part of a worldwide community of elite nurses from multiple disciplines – including home care, pediatrics, oncology and lots of others – who’ve demonstrated through certification that they’re essentially the most informed and highly qualified specialists in the sector of infusion nursing. CRNI^®are always exposed to the most recent developments, technologies and techniques within the specialty of infusion nursing.

On January 25, infusion nurses and other healthcare staff might be observing 4th National Nurses Day. Proclaimed by then-Massachusetts Congressman Ed Markey in 1980, the U.S. House of Representatives designated today to annually honor and recognize the achievements of the nation’s infusion nurse professionals, in addition to the Society of Infusion Nurses (INS). Markey called the specialty “a vital branch of the nursing profession in our country.” INS Chief Executive Officer 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 specialization looks completely different. Celebrating IV Nurses Day gives us an opportunity to recognize the evolution of our specialty and the significant contributions that infusion nurses make in the lives of their patients.”

IV Nurse Day promotes the advancement of the specialty and recognizes the many years of continuous education, advocacy and skilled development offered by the infusion nursing community. This yr’s slogan is: “It’s about us. It’s About Infusion invites nurses from around the globe to commemorate their commitment to work and to patients.

This is a superb opportunity to extend the popularity of this specialization by displaying posters on the occasion of Nurses Day IV in your medical practice, organizing CRNI^® educational event or presentation of recent equipment on the occasion of Nurses’ Day IV. Order yours at www.jimcolemanstore.com/ins. Send photos from the Nurses Day IV event to: [email protected], and we’ll make them available in the longer term. Have fun celebrating!

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

Leslie Nikou is accountable for managing the manuscript submission process from start to complete. Assists within the number of manuscripts and works with reviewers, authors, and publication staff to make sure polished, relevant content in each print issue. Leslie also oversees the editorial content of INS member publications, in addition to other INS-related print and online materials. Prior to joining INS, Leslie worked as a multimedia editor for a monthly RF/engineering publication. She can be an experienced news and promotions author/producer, with over 15 years of experience within the Boston and Rhode Island television markets. Leslie is an avid photography enthusiast and loves creating scrapbooks detailing highlights, adventures, vacations and activities within the lives of her husband and two daughters. When she’s not busy attending soccer games or dance practices, Leslie enjoys hanging out with family and friends, watching movies, shopping, and planning her next family outing. She might be contacted at [email protected]