Each new year, I love to spend time thinking about new possibilities and occasions for engagement in the months ahead. Whether for professional or personal engagement, I enjoy organizing my calendar and creating space for the goals and opportunities that the new year presents. Please note, I’m not referring to the well-worn, under-accomplished New Year’s Resolution practice of the past. This is about making an intentional plan for choosing to align priorities, goals, and needs for the coming year.
Infusion Nurses Society (INS) has many opportunities for you to consider as you make plans for 2025. Now is the time to determine how you will engage and support INS and how you will allow INS to support and propel your practice and professional development.
INS Professional Engagement Opportunities
Journal of Infusion Nursing Reviewer: As editor of the Journal of Infusion Nursing (JIN), I continually seek volunteer reviewers who are able to assess the clinical content, relevance, and overall quality of submitted manuscripts, as well as provide valuable, constructive feedback to authors. Reviewers are critical to maintaining JIN’s high research standards. INS depends on the expertise and commitment of editorial reviewers and values their contributions.
JIN’s Editorial Review Board: Members of this board advise the editors on quality and relevance of manuscript submissions at a more comprehensive level, with an emphasis on how each manuscript can add to the body of knowledge available on the topic and how it can further advance practice. Members of this board may further advise editors on the vision, direction, strategy, and evidence-based focus of JIN.
National Council on Education (NCOE): Clinicians interested in joining this active and dynamic council are encouraged to apply. NCOE members are members of INS with a minimum of 2 years’ clinical experience in infusion nursing and experience in the development of educational programs. Council selection is based on, but not limited to, diverse geographical location, practice environment, educational program expertise, and clinical and educational credentials.
Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation (INCC) Board of Directors: Members of the INCC board are dedicated to the mission fulfillment of promoting optimal health outcomes that the public expects, demands, and deserves, through the development and administration of a comprehensive, evidence-based program, advocating the importance of the CRNI® credential, and supporting continuing infusion nursing education and research. INCC offers the only specialty certification for infusion nurses, the CRNI®.
Infusion Nurses Society Board of Directors:One of the most rewarding aspects of INS membership is giving back to the organization and the specialty by serving on the board of directors. By serving, you will have the opportunity to expand your professional network, provide strategic guidance, and be an advocate for the infusion nursing specialty.
INS board members serve either a 2-, or 3-year term beginning in May. Each year, the board meets in person, attends the INS Annual Meeting, and participates in several virtual meetings. Positions include president, director-at-large, secretary/treasurer, and public member.
Speaking Opportunities: The INS Education Department hosts an open application for those who would like to present at live conferences, virtual meetings, and webinars. We encourage you to share your expertise, research findings, and quality outcomes on a variety of topics, including vascular access and technology, infection prevention, patient education/experience, alternative infusion care settings, disease states, infusion therapies, quality improvement and patient safety initiatives, professional development, clinician health and wellness, health care ethics, and other related professional content. Your presentation must be your original work, and content must be evidence-based and reflect the current state of the science or be based upon research-driven results contributing to the science. Presentations must be free of commercial bias and must adhere to the criteria set by the California Board of Nursing for awarding contact hours.
Journal of Infusion Nursing Author: The Journal of Infusion Nursing publishes new research, clinical reviews, case studies, and professional development information relevant to the practice of infusion therapy. All articles undergo a process of double-blind peer review. We are interested in publishing your evidence-based research that benefits other infusion professionals.
See an overview of INS’s volunteer opportunities here: https://www.ins1.org/volunteer/.
INS Professional Development Opportunities
CRNI® Certification: Perhaps this is the year to earn your certified registered nurse infusion certification. The INCC website has volumes of information and support for you. Access INCC here: CRNI – INS. I encourage you to order the CRNI® Exam Checklist to ensure you have everything you need and know what to expect. Next, download the CRNI® exam handbook and check out the INS Study resources as well. Sign up by June 10th to take advantage of early bird pricing to sit for the September exam.
Recertification: Now is the time to check your CRNI® recertification date. Recertification has a way of creeping up on us. I recommend that you check out the recertification overview at Recertification – INS to refresh yourself on the recertification roadmap and recertification deadlines. Also important, you want to ensure that you receive all recertification reminders, especially if you’ve had a change of email or mailing address. Contact INCC at incc@incc1.org to update your information.
Education and Connection: The INS national conference, INS 2025, is April 26-29 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Here, you can connect with members of the infusion specialty from all over the globe to learn about the latest improvements in patient care and see the newest products on the infusion market today. The academically rigorous sessions will challenge you and increase your expertise while allowing you to connect with colleagues, share experiences, and learn from the experts. Registration is open on the INS website.
INS Webinars: One of the most valuable and convenient educational opportunities, INS webinars are offered monthly and deliver the most current infusion-related topics in a 60-minute presenter-led session. All webinars are presented live, recorded, and archived for on-demand viewing. Webinars are free to all INS members.
Podcasts: INS podcasts are back! Join the host as a guest speaker or listener. Fun, fast-paced conversations relevant to your work are available on-demand for your listening and learning enjoyment.
Journal of Infusion Nursing: As a member of INS, you receive this excellent resource – one that supports your professional practice like no other because it addresses your clinical questions through clinical research, case studies, quality improvement projects, and clinical reviews. Continuing education opportunities are provided twice annually in the March and September issues. Watch for the opportunity to earn Nursing Continuing Professional Development for Nursing Contact Hours and CRNI® recertification units in those issues.
On behalf of the Journal of Infusion Nursing and INS, I wish you a Happy New Year! I encourage you to enjoy your infusion nursing passion and find just the right spot for your volunteer hours and take advantage of all the benefits INS offers. Mark your calendars now to include these important opportunities in the year ahead.
