Skills allowed

We are told we can do IVs right out of nsg school. That seems to make sense. I will look into it just in case So...where abouts are you going to nest?

Z

Was she an RPN or LPN? We can do those skills as RNs fresh out of school, though some hospitals require you to complete extra tests as part of their policy

That's the strangest thing I've ever heard. Every facilty has different skill sets. In one LTC group that I worked nobody (RN or LPN) did g tube reinsertion, the patient went to active treatment.

I do know that back in the '90's Foothills in Calgary had an IV start team, who basically started all the IV's. LPNs can take the training but most facilities don't allow them to use the skill, its an RN skill. Having said that some units have RN's who don't want to start them and usually one or two RNs on a shift do any that need them.

Foley's are required knowledge of LPN and RN as are tube feeds. NG placement and removal is required knowledge but again up to facility policy as to whether or not an LPN can perform the skill.

in the Calgary Health Region, you must be certified within the Region for certain skills (IVs, central lines, epidurals, trach care, chest tubes, etc)... so even if you were taught in school how to do/manage those things, you basically must attend a class and do a return demonstration to become certified...

for example, you start your IV certification in your general nursing orientation to the Region... there's a skills lab where you do a return demo on a dummy arm... then you must be watched by another certified nurse or the nurse educator for your unit for your first 3 pokes... once they've signed off on you, you can start IVs on your own...

things like foleys, NG tubes, etc. do not require certification on the units i've worked...

i'll pm you re: a good place to start for someone who'd like to end up in Emerg...