Do you need a special certification to insert catheters ?

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  1. by Mar 1
    Hello,

    I am a newly licensed LVN. I heard certifcations for IV for LVN/LPNs. Do you need certifications for inserting/removing catheters for LVN/LPN ?

    thanks
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    by ShirleyYang Mar 1 2:15 pm
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  3. 10 Comments so far...

  4. Mar 1 by
    Inserting urinary catheters is a basic nursing skill and taught in LPN/LVN school. No special license or certification required.
    BrandonLPN, Fiona59, and loriangel14 like this.
  5. Asst. Admin
    Mar 1 by
    Quote from ShirleyYang
    Hello,

    I am a newly licensed LVN. I heard certifcations for IV for LVN/LPNs. Do you need certifications for inserting/removing catheters for LVN/LPN ?

    thanks
    No, indwelling urinary catheter care (including the insertion and removal) is a skill covered under the LPN's licensure.
  6. Mar 1 by
    In our hospital nurses do not insert caths in males unless they have in house certification. Female inserts of cath is standard nursing care though.
  7. Mar 1 by
    I think the OP was referring to Intravenous catheters.

    OP, in nursing school they do not teach us (ASN Students) to start IV's, however the hospitals teach you when you're hired.

    I guess they like it ''their way''
  8. Mar 1 by
    Quote from echoRNC711
    In our hospital nurses do not insert caths in males unless they have in house certification. Female inserts of cath is standard nursing care though.
    Are you in the UK?

    Males are the easiest to insert unless you have a huge prostate to deal with. Then a coude tip is your friend.
    BrandonLPN likes this.
  9. Mar 3 by
    All you need is a doctor's order to remove or place one in. This is basic nursing care. so No, you dont need certification.
  10. Mar 3 by
    Quote from Fiona59
    Are you in the UK?

    Males are the easiest to insert unless you have a huge prostate to deal with. Then a coude tip is your friend.


    I believe that's the case in Australia, for one. (MDs cathing males)
  11. Mar 3 by
    Quote from Orange Tree

    I believe that's the case in Australia, for one. (MDs cathing males)
    It's also hospital/facility specific policy. Some public Aus hospitals have the in house MD to place male caths. But nurses are trained to perform the skill.
  12. Mar 3 by
    Why on earth is inserting catheters in males considered a "MD duty" in some places??

    I've had a few pts with extreme prostate issues where only the urologist could change a foley.

    But under normal circumstances, inserting a male catheter is easy peasy and doesn't require a doctor's expertise.
    Fiona59, GM2RN, and KelRN215 like this.