Intravenous (IV) Therapy for Nurses (LPN & RN)

Course overview

This course provides nurses with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely initiate, manage, and monitor intravenous (IV) therapy. Core subjects include patient assessment, venipuncture techniques, fluid and electrolyte balance, infection control, prevention of insertion-related complications, and pharmacologic considerations. This course includes both theoretical content and hands-on skills practice to ensure safe IV insertion and competency. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] (2024), infection prevention in IV therapy is essential to reducing catheter-related bloodstream infections and maintaining patient safety. Ensuring proper techniques, knowledge, and the application of clinical reasoning and judgment promotes improved patient outcomes. The Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice (Infusion Nurses Society, 2021) emphasize that nurses should adhere to evidence-based guidelines for safe IV insertion, maintenance, and prevention of complications to ensure patient safety and better patient care outcomes. Therefore, proper venipuncture techniques, selection of the vascular access site, and catheter stabilization are critical to minimizing complications and improving patient outcomes (Taylor et al., 2023). Certificates of completion will be maintained for a minimum of four (4) years in accordance with Florida Board of Nursing requirements. This course meets the Florida Board of Nursing standards for IV therapy education and competency validation.