IV Nurse Day is honored every year on January 25, and the day helps spread awareness of the work infusion nurses do. Minority Nurse recently caught up with Danielle Jenkins, MBA, BSN, RN, CRNI, and president elect of the Infusion Nurses Society. Jenkins offered her perspective on a career as an infusion nurse and what keeps her so dedicated to this specialty. 
How did you decide to make a career as an IV/Infusion nurse?
I chose a career as an IV/Infusion nurse after starting as a nurse tech on an oncology ward. Exposure to the infusion suite sparked my interest due to the autonomy it offered. The one-on-one interaction with patients and the opportunity to care for them throughout the entire process further solidified my passion for infusion nursing.
What makes your days interesting?
The excitement of meeting and serving new patients keeps my days interesting. Teaching patients how to do their infusions is particularly rewarding. One memorable moment was training a patient in her 70s in a home infusion setting. After the training, she proudly exclaimed, “Nurse Danielle, I got this,” and went on to train her daughter, who was her primary caregiver and supported her during her treatment. Empowering my patient in that moment was incredibly fulfilling and added a sense of empowerment to my own experience.
How do you keep up with the latest happenings in the field and/or professional development?
I stay updated in my field and focus on professional development by relying on the Infusion Nurse Society (INS). Their standards have been instrumental in shaping my policies and procedures, ensuring best practices in infusion nursing. This commitment to staying informed has not only led to successful patient outcomes but also motivated me to contribute by applying for a role on the INS board, emphasizing the importance of knowing and implementing best practices for excellent patient care.
What has surprised you about being an infusion nurse?
One surprising aspect of being an infusion nurse is the lack of awareness among many nurses about the field, despite their involvement in infusing medications. It’s surprising to see the underrecognition of the opportunities this field offers. Personally, I’ve been pleased by the flexibility in working hours, allowing for a better balance between professional and family life. I promote infusion nursing at every opportunity I have to speak with nurses looking for flexible hours, more personable patient care experience, better wages, and better opportunity to get into management.
What gives you the most career satisfaction and why?
The most satisfying aspect of my career is utilizing all my nursing skills in infusion nursing. I often say that in an outpatient setting an infusion nurse operates in five areas of nursing serving as an admissions nurse , case manager, infusion nurse, charge nurse, and discharge nurse. It’s a field that allows me the autonomy I love. Witnessing patients’ journeys from diagnosis to healing at discharge is incredibly fulfilling. Additionally, obtaining my certified registered nurse infusion (CRNI) credentials has been a crucial step in showcasing my commitment to continuous professional development in this field.
What would you want other nurses to know about a career as an infusion nurse?
For nurses seeking career growth, infusion nursing offers a path to management, even reaching the role of a chief nursing officer. It’s a field where better wages and improved work-life balance are attainable. Infusion nursing opens doors to enhanced opportunities, allowing nurses to infuse better prospects into their professional journey.
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