The Expanding Role of the Infusion Nurse in Radiographic Interpretation for Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Tip Placement

The role of the registered nurse has evolved over time from a limited caregiver providing care to the patient under the absolute authority of a physician to an involved participant of the healthcare team. This has resulted in added responsibility and the incorporation of a higher skill level. In institutions across the country, nurses are involved in improving the quality of patient care and assisting in the provision of care in a timely manner with decreased delays in treatment and improved identification of complications associated with procedures. In this article, the process for investigating the potential for expanding the role of the registered nurse to include determination of peripherally inserted central catheter tip placement is discussed.