Abstract: A catheter assembly and method for introducing a needle to positioning a catheter, such as a peripheral IV catheter into a patient includes piercing a vein with a needle that extends from the distal end of the catheter. The needle has a distal tip with a configuration that pierces the vein at an angle to penetrate a vein with a reduced incidence of transfixing, injury of the inner surface of the vein or inadvertently passing through side wall of the vein. The distal tip of the needle is introduced into the lumen of the vein at an incline where the distal tip is spaced from an inner surface of the vein and a bevel surface of the distal tip faces the inner surface of the vein opposite the entry point of the needle into the vein. A catheter on the needle is advanced from the distal tip of the needle into the lumen of the vein.