Are nursing students allowed to give IV push meds?

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Specializes in Neuro, Critical Care.

I was just wondering if nursing students are allowed to give IV push meds during clinicals..Is it true that LPN's are not allowed to give IV push meds? if it is what is the rationale behind that? Thanks.

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.

This may depend on what state you are in, and what kind of insurance your school has. We were allowed to give certain meds IV push with our instructor. No narcs. -A

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Specializes in OB, ortho/neuro, home care, office.

We were able to give IV push meds - I gave Sodium bicarb once i was a little nervous about that one. LPN's can't because it is out of their scope of practice, at least in my state

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I went for my RN BSN and I gave IV push meds from the start. I am in pa and had clinicals in de and pa. The only time we weren't allowed to was in our peds rotation but that was the hospitals rules...we couldn't give any IV med. LPNS are not allowed to push IV meds in either state also. I think its because of how dangerous iv push meds are and the side effects that can result from them. And like above it is def not in their scope of practice but that doesn't mean anything at some facilities.. believe me I've seen it with my own eyes!

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Depends on the state nurse practice laws. Depends on the hospital's/facility's policy. Depends on the instructor's willingness to risk her license in this regard. Depends on the student's capabilities and readiness.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

All Rn students that come to our floor can give IV push meds with their instructor. LPN students and LPN's do not give iv push meds but can hang iv piggyback meds through a pump.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma.

As a student, I was allowed to push meds except IV narcs. LPNs cannot push meds where I'm at; rationale probably being that most IV pushes are either cardiac or code meds which can cause serious arythymmias/significant changes in VS OR narcotics which can cause resp depression. These adverse reactions/side effects can happen quite quickly. There are a few other IVP meds with less potential for adverse reaction, i.e., Solumedrol, Toradol, etc., but even with these, if an allergic reaction occurred, it would happen very quickly as you're pushing that med right into a vein over a just a minute or so.

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I am in Maine and am a 3rd semester (in a 4 semester program) nursing student and we are allowed to give IV pushes this semester. I start clinical on Thursday so I haven't had a chance to push any meds yet. LPNs cannnot push IV meds here- it is beyond their scope of practice.

-Bobcat

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Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.

NC ADN student here and I just started IV meds this semester...push, IVPB, whatever.

We have to have our instructor's password to get narcs out of the Pyxis, though....our password isn't enough.

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Specializes in Surgical Intensive Care.

I am in a TX ADN program (4 semesters) and we are able to give IVP in our 3rd semester with a nurse (RN) present.

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Specializes in Cardiac,ICU,.
I was just wondering if nursing students are allowed to give IV push meds during clinicals..Is it true that LPN's are not allowed to give IV push meds? if it is what is the rationale behind that? Thanks.

I am second year and have not given an IV push yet. That could just be the school or chance that we just did not have enough time in clinicals to do so.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

We can give IVP in first semester. In second semester, I gave morphine through a triple lumen.

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