How to Become an Infusion Nurse

IV infusion nurses are highly skilled professionals who specialize in administering medications and fluids through an intravenous (IV) line. They are a valued resource, practice in a variety of settings, and care for patients from infancy through the senior years.

Becoming an IV infusion nurse requires nursing education, licensure, experience, and certification. Read on to learn what steps you need to take to build a career in this specialty.

An IV infusion nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who specializes in administering IV fluids, including chemotherapy, antibiotics, blood products, and immunotherapy medications. They are also adept at drawing blood and placing central, midline, and peripheral intravenous access lines.

While most RNs can start a basic IV, IV infusion nurses handle complicated or challenging placements and administrations. For example, the added training needed to become an IV infusion nurse enables them to place an IV in an infant, older person, dehydrated person, or someone with a more specialized medical situation.

IV infusion nurses can work in hospitals, clinics, home healthcare, cancer centers, infusion centers, and medical spas. Depending on your work setting, hours may vary and could include evenings, weekends, and on-call shifts.

The first step to becoming an IV infusion nurse is to become an RN and obtain a nursing license to work in the state where you intend to practice. After earning a two or four-year nursing degree, you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN examination and gain relevant nursing experience. Most employers also require active certification in basic life support (BLS) and sometimes advanced cardiac life support (ACLS).

An ADN is the minimum degree required to become an IV infusion nurse, but most employers prefer BSN-prepared nurses. The shortest path to becoming an IV infusion nurse is to complete a two-year ADN program and then an 11-month RN-to-BSN program.

An ADN degree is the minimum education required to be eligible for the NCLEX and earn your RN license, although most employers prefer a BSN. This degree is best for those who need to enter the workforce quickly or cannot afford a four-year degree. Some ADN programs allow college students changing their career path to transfer up to 32 credit hours. This may allow you to complete the program in as little as 15 months.

A BSN is a four-year degree that prepares students for a professional nursing career with a broad foundation in clinical skills, leadership, research, and evidence-based practice. Most employers prefer BSN-prepared nurses, making this degree a good option if you’re ready to commit the time. BSN nurses typically receive higher pay, have more job opportunities, and a shorter path to advanced nursing roles. This is also the minimum degree to be eligible for most graduate-level programs.

The minimum education to become an IV infusion nurse is an RN license with an ADN or BSN degree. Some nurses choose to pursue a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree as well, but this is optional.

RN licensing requirements vary by state, so it’s crucial to check with your state’s board of nursing to determine the requirements, documentation, application, and fee needed to renew your license. Generally speaking, you’ll need to meet minimum educational and clinical practice hours to maintain your RN license.

Certification is optional in this career, however, earning your specialty certification demonstrates your commitment to professional development and indicates advanced knowledge in infusion. Eligibility includes an active and unencumbered RN license and 1,600 hours of infusion experience in the past two years. CRNI recertification is necessary every three years. It requires 1,000 hours of work experience in the past three years and an active RN license.

Demand for IV infusion nurses remains strong as the incidence of chronic conditions continues to rise. Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t report the job outlook for IV infusion nurses specifically, they project the growth for all RNs to be 6% from 2023-2033. The median annual salary for IV infusion nurses is $71,565, according to Payscale data from June 2025.

After acquiring at least one year of clinical nursing experience, look for IV infusion nurse positions within your hospital and check online job boards. If no positions are available, ask to shadow IV infusion nurses at your facility to gain experience. IV infusion nurses work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, homecare, and cancer centers. In in-patient settings, these nurses insert IV lines and complex treatments like chemotherapy, while in outpatient settings, they focus on patient education and managing existing IV lines.