IV Nurse Day! A Look at Their Essential Role in Healthcare

In 1980, the United States House of Representatives established National IV Nurse Day to recognize and honor the nurses who assess, implement and evaluate intravenous (I.V.) treatments for patients who require this form of care. Today we want to shine a spotlight on these Champions of Care that deliver IV therapy to patients in a variety of settings. 

History of IV Treatment

1492 - The first infusion was documented in the late Middle Ages by the physician caring for Pope Innocent VIII in Rome after having a stroke and a coma. The physician decided to treat him with a blood transfusion from three young boys via anastomosis. The treatment didn’t end well as all four died. From that date, not much is mentioned about IV infusions until the 17th Century. 

1600s - The first use of rudimentary IV equipment was developed by Sir Christopher Wren. He used a pig’s bladder and a quill. However, the quill was too flimsy.

1665 - A new IV device was developed by Richard Lower and the first successful transfusion was performed in 1665 between animals. 

1667 - Dr. Jean Baptiste Denis successfully performed the first animal-to-human transfusion using nine ounces of lamb’s blood into a young man. However, subsequent transfusions had adverse events and in 1668, the French parliament banned animal-to-human transfusions. 

1668 & 1669 - Since transfusions were not banned in England, Richard Lower performed an animal-to-human transfusion and worked on creating new devices for the procedure. However, out of fear the English Parliament also banned blood transfusions in 1668 and the Vatican followed suit in 1669. 

1796 - Dr. Philip Syng Physick suggested human-to-human transfusions.

1818 - A British obstetrician, Dr. Jame Blundell, to treat postpartum hemorrhage performed a series of human blood transfusions. Between 1825 to 1830, Dr. Blundell did ten transfusions, with five being beneficial. During this time he also invented instruments for performing IV transfusions. 

1831 - Doctors during the cholera outbreak in Europe put the connection together between the large amounts of water and saline lost from the blood of the victims, and that through intravenous saline infusions helped restore the blood's natural specific gravity. 

1845 - The first hollow needle was perfected.

1853 - The first practical metal syringe was developed.

1855 - The first hypodermic syringe was used.

1880s - IV transfusions began to be a part of the surgical process.

1901 - Karl Lansteiner discovered blood groups. They are the four groups we still use today: A, B, AB, and O classifications. 

1940s - Until the 1940s only doctors could place an IV but during WWII nurses were trained to provide this form of treatment which resulted in better outcomes due to quicker initiation of the intervention.

1950s - IVs were delivered through metal needles but by the 1950s, Dr. David Massa of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota developed the “Rochester plastic needle.” This became the first disposable IV catheter device. 

1960s - Most hospitals in the United States were routinely using IV treatment devices.

2000s - IV therapy is one of the most commonly used medical interventions to treat patients.

Where do IV nurses work?

• Clinics/Outpatient centers

• Hospitals

• Home Health

What does an IV nurse do?

• Insert and Monitors IV catheters

• Collects ordered lab specimens

• Manage medication preparation, storage, and administration. All of this is done while being very knowledgeable about specific protocols and safety guidelines.     

• Monitor and Assess the patient during the procedure

• Provide Patient Education

• Document appropriately for the healthcare team to accurately manage the patient’s care

Is there a Certification for an IV Nurse?

Yes, a registered nurse who has worked 1600 hours in the last two years with infusion therapies can sit for this certification exam.

A certified registered nurse infusion (CRNI®) 

Test Your IV knowledge

Q1. What are the three IV fluid classifications?

Q2. What are some types of IV fluids for each classifications?

Q3. When administering a vesicant solution the best vein to use is what?

So, today we want to recognize the quality care infusion nurses deliver to their patients and family members. Thank you for your dedication, compassion, expertise, and tireless commitment to this special form of nursing. 

References

American College of Rheumatology. 2025. Infusion nurse. https://rheumatology.org/infusion-nurse

Infusion Nurses Society. 2025. CRNI exam. https://www.ins1.org/crni/exam/overview/

ivWatch. 2023.The history of IV therapy. https://www.ivwatch.com/2020/11/10/the-history-of-iv-therapy/

National Today. (2025). National IV nurse day. https://nationaltoday.com/national-iv-nurse-day/

Srinivasa, S., & Hill, A. G. (2012). Perioperative fluid administration: Historical highlights and implications for practice. Annals of surgery, 256(6), 1113–1118. https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0b013e31825a2f22