I’m sure many, including the weatherman,  won’t agree with this statement. It is still winter and not every one likes snow, ice and cold, especially for those in the East and North of the country. But for infusion nurses, this January is a good month and a great time to be in this nursing specialty. Why?

• January 25 this year and every year on this day is a day to celebrate IV Nurse Day!!In 1980, the professional practice of infusion nursing was formally recognized when the United States House of Representatives declared each January 25 as IV Nurse Day. This recognition was the beginning of what the infusion specialty has become. Specialization marks the advancement of nursing practice. It signifies that nursing has moved from a global approach to a focus on defined areas within the practice that require specialized knowledge and skills. 

  On this day of celebration, I would like to wish each infusion nurse Happy IV Nurse Day. Whatever you do and wherever you are, on this special day, take the time to celebrate the numerous accomplishments that make us proud to be infusion nurses.

logo from http://www.ins1.org

• This month, the 2016 Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice will be released by the Infusion Nurses Society. This is the sixth revision of the original 1980 Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice.  Standards of practice define nursing accountability and provide a framework for evaluating professional competency in the delivery of patient care services. Stay tuned for the release date or check the INS website – www.ins1.org

• Policies and Procedures for Infusion Therapy – this publication goes hand in hand with the Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice,  as they say, you can’t have one without the other. Stay tuned for the release date or check the INS website – www.ins1.org

• And in case you missed it, the Immunoglobulin Nursing Society (IgNS) has also released the IgNS Standards of Practice.  This is the first National Standards of Practice for Ig Nurses, providing the standards and practice guidelines across a wide range of therapeutic areas and practice settings. For more information, visit their website – IgNS

Happy IV Nurse Day!! Everyone stay safe and warm. Let’s see what February will bring!