Two healthcare professionals stand in medical imaging suites. On the left, a woman smiles with her arms crossed in front of a Siemens Healthineers scanner. On the right, a man wearing a hospital badge and vest stands in a pediatric imaging room, highlighting excellence in patient care and medical imaging services.
Patient Care January 29, 2025 2 mins read

Celebrating Excellence: IV Nurse Day

UCSF Radiology celebrates National IV Nurse Day by recognizing five nurses whose expertise, compassion, and patient-centered care help make IV procedures safer and more comfortable for patients.
Arleen Bandarrae

In honor of National IV Nurse Day on January 25, we spotlight the dedication and skill of our nurses who ensure patients receive the highest quality IV care. Meet five exceptional nurses who go above and beyond to provide comfort and support to patients during this critical procedure.

Portrait of Heather Benjamin standing with her arms crossed in front of a CT scanner. She is wearing a white vest and smiling at the camera in a modern medical imaging suite illuminated with blue accent lighting.

My favorite thing about IV insertion is the relief I see on a patient's face when the IV is in and it was an easy, comfortable experience.

Heather Benjamin, RN, CRN

Heather Benjamin, RN, CRN, who works with patients at the UC Imaging Center at UCSF’s Parnassus Heights campus. Understanding that past experiences can cause anxiety, she prioritizes patient comfort by actively listening to their concerns and striving to make the procedure as positive and stress-free as possible.

“It’s important to use not just what you see but what you feel too!” says clinical nurse Katie Borst. With more than 11 years of emergency department experience, she expertly administers IVs to patients of all ages, from infants to centenarians, handling every case with confidence and empathy.

“The most important skill to have as a vascular nurse is to listen to your patients,” says Corina Carter, RN, a vascular access nurse for geriatric patients for three years, and a PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) nurse for ten years. “I help my patients stay calm and relaxed by talking with them and letting them know when they relax, the body relaxes, and vascular access is easier.”

Portrait of Sean Wesley, RN, standing in an imaging suite beside medical equipment. He is wearing a dark vest with an identification badge and smiling at the camera. The room features colorful wall graphics and imaging technology in the background.

Patience, practice, and consistency are key

Sean Wesley, RN

For Sean Wesley, RN, a PICC nurse and IV placement expert, the most rewarding aspect of his job is positively impacting patient care. 

Cheryl Blanco, a registered nurse in the MRI division at the UCSF Precision Cancer Medicine Building, has improved workflows for our interventional radiology nursing staff and elevated patient care. “My journey in the IV Nurse role began five years ago in response to needs in our MRI and CT areas,” she says. “In this role, I've been approached to train other MRI and mammography staff in PIV insertion and patient care.”

The expertise and compassion of our IV nurse make a world of difference for patients and teams alike. Happy National IV Nurse Day!