CRNI Certification: Overview and FAQ
If you’re thinking about advancing your career in infusion nursing, earning a Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI) credential could be the next right move. This credential validates your expertise in administering IV medications, educating patients, managing infusion side effects, and more. What are the benefits of earning this certification, and what’s the process like? Here’s what you need to know.
Some patients receive medications and other liquids directly into their bloodstream via intravenous and arterial infusions. These routes are faster than PO (by mouth), sublingual (underneath the tongue), and other medication routes because infusions bypass the GI tract and liver. For patients who have difficulty chewing or swallowing, infusions may be the most effective way for them to receive meds or nutrients.
Here are some of the most common infusions:
- Normal saline
- Blood products
- Nutritional products such as TPN (total parenteral nutrition)
- Pain medications
- Emergency medications
- Antibiotics
- Chemotherapy
Infusions also come with disadvantages. Patients generally don’t like to be poked and prodded, and there’s a risk for infection, extravasation (leaking) at the site, as well as sepsis. Infusion nurses know these risks and benefits well and are pros at minimizing complications while making patients as comfortable as possible.
What Is a CRNI Nurse?
A Certified Registered Nurse Infusionist is a specialized clinician who has gone through additional training and education to care for patients needing intravenous medication. This credential is offered by the Infusion Nurses Society (INS). It validates skills and knowledge across several areas, including oncology, nutrition support, infectious disease care, and more.
CRNIs can work in a range of clinical settings:
- Home health
- Hospice
- Outpatient infusion centers
- Children’s hospitals
- Long-term care facilities
- Rheumatology clinics
- Ketamine treatment centers
Like many specialty nursing certifications, this credential is not a necessity to practice, but a mark of experience and distinction. You need to be experienced in infusion nursing to be eligible and pass an exam that validates your knowledge.
Benefits of Nursing Specialty Certifications
If certifications aren’t required to practice, what are the benefits of earning them? Here are some of the reasons nurses pursue certification:
- Formal recognition: Certification shows your commitment to practice and professional growth, demonstrating dedication to excellence.
- Job satisfaction: Getting certified can boost your confidence and fulfillment, and certified nurses report being more satisfied in their role.
- Patient outcomes: Specialized training can make you a better care provider, improving safety and outcomes for your patients.
- Pay incentives: Many healthcare organizations offer bonuses, salary increases, or shift differentials to certified nurses.
- Career advancement: Certification can open doors to leadership roles, specialized positions, and other career opportunities.
CRNI: Salary Expectations
Earning a specialty skill set could help you earn more income as a nurse. The average salary for a clinical infusion nurse in the United States is about $92,000 per year. Your experience, work setting, and location also factor into what you could make in this role.
Curious about the areas where nurses make the most money? Check out these high-paying states for nurses:
For a better idea of what you might earn in your area, check out the latest infusion nurse jobs on IntelyCare.
How to Become a Certified Infusion Nurse: 4 Steps
Step 1: Understand CRNI Certification Requirements
To be eligible to sit for the certification exam, you’ll need to meet these two requirements:
- An active RN license in the United States
- At least 1,600 hours of infusion-related practice within the past two years. This practice time does not have to be direct patient care. It can also be in nursing education, research, or administration.
Step 2: Schedule Your Exam
Next, you’ll need to register for an account with INS to apply for the exam. The test runs twice a year, in March and September. If you’re already an INS member, you can get a discount on exam fees. Initial CRNI certification costs are as follows:
Early Bird Deadlines
- March exam: By November 1
- September exam: By June 10
- INS members: $335
- Nonmembers: $475
Regular Deadlines
- March exam: November 11–January 10
- September exam: June 11–July 10
- INS members: $385
- Nonmembers: $525
Late Deadlines
- March exam: After January 10
- September exam:After July 10
- INS members: $435
- Nonmembers: $575
International Site Fee
- Additional $140 for members and nonmembers
Once your application is processed, you should receive instructions in your email within 10–12 business days. When you’re three weeks out from the exam, you’ll get another email with instructions for your testing appointment.
Step 3: Pass the CRNI Exam
The test consists of 140 multiple-choice questions, and 120 of them are scored. You’ll have two and a half hours to complete it. To arrive on test day prepared, study the INS materials and get clear on any areas where you might need additional review. There are three content areas covered:
- Principles of practice
- Access devices
- Infusion therapies
If you’re looking for a structured review, third-party CRNI certification classes may be able to help prepare you for this exam. Here are some INS resources to guide your review:
- Exam reference list
- Exam handbook
- Exam prep course
- Study guide with CRNI practice test questions
On test day, you’ll need to arrive at your testing center at least 15 minutes before your appointment. Make sure to bring two forms of identification. You’ll get your scoring report from the testing supervisor directly after you finish.
Step 4: Maintain Your Certification
CRNIs have to renew their certification every three years to remain credentialed. You’ll need to meet these requirements:
- Have an active and unrestricted RN license.
- Complete at least 1,000 hours of infusion therapy experience in the past 3 years. Again, this experience doesn’t have to be from the bedside — education, research, administration, or clinical practice can qualify.
Your recertification timeline will depend on when you took the initial exam:
- Before 2018: Certification expires on January 1 every 3 years.
- March exam: The certification period begins April 1 and will expire on the same day 3 years later.
- September exam: The certification period begins October 1 and will expire on the same day 3 years later.
INS has a recertification roadmap to help you prepare. You can either recertify with recertification units (RUs) or by taking the exam again.
Certified Infusion Nurse FAQs
How hard is the CRNI exam?
In the past few years, about 64% of test-takers have passed the exam. To give yourself the best chance of passing, take your time reviewing the test materials and practice good study habits.
What does a certified nurse infusionist do?
CRNIs specialize in administering and managing intravenous and arterial infusions. Their responsibilities include:
- Inserting and managing IV lines.
- Accessing central lines like PICC lines, ports, or central venous catheters.
- Administering infusion medications.
- Monitoring for complications.
- Educating patients on treatment plans.
- Coordinating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure safe and effective care.
Is being an infusion nurse stressful?
It can be, especially when patients have negative reactions to infusions. For example, a reaction to blood products can quickly become a life-or-death scenario. Infusion nurses are often balancing several patients at once, and they need to monitor all of them for complications.
On the other hand, this is typically an outpatient or ambulatory nursing role, so the hours may be more similar to an office schedule. Your patients won’t have as many needs as a typical patient on a med-surg floor. Also, there’s an opportunity to get to know your patients, as many come in for repeated infusion regimens.
Related Certifications
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter training (PICC)
- Vascular Access Board Certification (VA-BC)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Chemo Certification
- Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN)
- Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
Curious About Roles for Infusion Nurses?
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