LPN starting IVs?

[AM326]

Hey everyone, I heard that LPNs can't begin/push/finish IV treatments. I tried to look up info for the state of TN and it didn't help with my question.

So if they can't do IVs... would they be able to if they had an IV certification? I heard you get paid a bit more if you are certified.

Thanks ?

[Bringonthenight]

Good point. It's been my experience that facilities tend to restrict LPN practice even more than the state scope of practice.

For example, my state is fairly open re: IV's. The BON says I can maintain an IV, give meds by piggyback and give some meds by IV push. But my facility chooses to just restrict us from IV's altogether. Not only can't I give meds via IV, we're not allowed to even flush a peripheral IV. I'm supposed to get a RN for anything concerning IV therapy.

I think the "LPNs can do this, but not this" nature of our scope of practice accounts for this. It's hard for management to keep track an enforce exactly what we can and can't do. So its easier and safer in their eyes to simply make it a "RN only" function.

I think this makes sense. It's much easier for everyone in the facility to learn a blanket rule like "RNs only for anything IV related", as opposed to getting confused with all the different rules the BON sets ie: " LPNs can give A, B and C via IV but not D and E".

I guess it would be annoying to have to get an RN to do something you were taught in nursing school though...

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

I think this makes sense. It's much easier for everyone in the facility to learn a blanket rule like "RNs only for anything IV related", as opposed to getting confused with all the different rules the BON sets ie: " LPNs can give A, B and C via IV but not D and E".

I guess it would be annoying to have to get an RN to do something you were taught in nursing school though...

Like the 962 care plans that had to be written out long hand for each patient assignment in clinicals when that is not something typically LPN's can do in the working world???? LOLOLOLOL

[Bringonthenight]

US care plans sound kinda hard and long... That would suck if you don't even do them as an LPN!

[libran1984, ASN, RN]

Off topic- but I'm going to chime in. My manager wasn't even aware LPNs did care plans in school.

Sigh...

[nursel56]

Off topic- but I'm going to chime in. My manager wasn't even aware LPNs did care plans in school.

Sigh...

Not surprising. It was the advent of nursing diagnoses that made the change I think. Before, everyone's input was welcome, even tech or CNA. They didn't presume to get inside people's minds and evaluate their ability to "critically think" and decide whatever was going on in there must only be to collect data. I don't recall as an LPN ever getting a notice in the mail either because I never heard that either in school or on the job as an LPN/LVN. It doesn't make much sense.

[jigzawnurse28]

In my unit ambulatory clinic triage here in TX, we as LVN are only allowed to hang saline and keep vein open/ heplock access thats it.

[libran1984, ASN, RN]

Y'all are missing out. I thrive on my ability and licensure to perform IV therapy. If I couldn't regularly play with needles, I'd take much less pride in my work