Can ADN hang IV meds? Or only BSN?

[soon2be]

Someone told me that an ADN trained nurse cannot hang IV medications... only a BSN trained nurse can.....is this true?

Please clear up. Thank you.

[NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN]

Wow! I used to travel and I never heard of that. I've worked with some LVN's who even hang blood, but that depends on the hospital. I haven't checked the nurse practice act, but I do know that in some states LPN's are able to start IV's, hang IV's (but not abx and not push) if they go through a special certification training.

I have had an ADN for 25 years and have never been forbidden to do anything IV except PICC lines, which require further certification.

In California, I've seen all RN's start IV's...but my teacher wasn't from California....she said it was in certain states that didn't allow ADN's to start IV's....that is how she left it....

[KLKRN, RN]

Where is she from? I have been licensed in CA, WA, GA, TX, FL, PA, Mass, AZ, and never had a problem. I've known nurses from all over the country and I've never heard anyone mention it.

I think maybe your instructor is misinformed.

[NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN]

70 percent of all RNs in the U.S. are educated at the ADN level. If ADN-RNs were not permitted to engage in IV therapy, healthcare facilities in America would be in shambles.

Hence, the information received by the OP is grossly incorrect.

It isn't incorrect, it was a statement made by one of my teachers....She was telling us a story about another traveler nurse in one of the states she was traveling had an ADN and started an IV....That RN got pulled into the office and the nurse said that in the state where she came from 'COULD' start IV's and what was told to her was that in that particular state, she couldn't start IV's....For that reason my teacher advised us that if we were going to do some traveling, then to make sure that we know the scope of practice in that particular state.....Since you believe the statement is grossly incorrect, I can provide you the email address of my instructor and you could email her and ask her which state it was since you don't seem to believe me....

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

It isn't incorrect, it was a statement made by one of my teachers....She was telling us a story about another traveler nurse in one of the states she was traveling had an ADN and started an IV....That RN got pulled into the office and the nurse said that in the state where she came from 'COULD' start IV's and what was told to her was that in that particular state, she couldn't start IV's....For that reason my teacher advised us that if we were going to do some traveling, then to make sure that we know the scope of practice in that particular state.....Since you believe the statement is grossly incorrect, I can provide you the email address of my instructor and you could email her and ask her which state it was since you don't seem to believe me....

ADNs and BSNs sit for the same state boards and possess the exact same RN licensure; therefore, state boards of nursing permit them to do the exact same tasks and duties. After all, they are both RNs.

Perhaps it was a specific facility policy that disallowed ADNs from engaging in IV therapy. Facilities can also dictate what they do (and don't) allow their nurses to do.

It is not necessary to for me to have your instructor's email address, as I'm not seeking a debate.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I think maybe your instructor is misinformed.

Me, too.

[Wsmith16, ADN, BSN]

Me, too.

Agreed.

Just doesn't make sense.

[KLKRN, RN]

I think, though, that the take-home point for the person who asked the question is this: Not to worry; ADN's can do anything at the bedside that a BSN can do with IV's. You do not have to get a BSN to be a qualified RN at the bedside. If you plan on going further in your career than the bedside, then by all means consider a BSN.

[S.N. Visit, BSN, RN]

wow, if an ADN can't start IV's then what about diploma prepared RN's? I know for a fact that ADN-RN's start IV's in Iowa and Missouri-(-LPN's can too.) Wonder what weird state the instuctor is referring to.

[KLKRN, RN]

I doubt that really matters since it's pretty clear she's been misinformed.

[Ginny Weasley]

I'm only a CNA and I'm allowed to hang I.V. bags. But then again, I guess it really depends on the state and the hospital your in.

[Karen_tn_37211]

Wonder what weird state the instuctor is referring to?

Her state.....the state of confusion....

[KLKRN, RN]

Really? The only place I've seen that is in the home health setting. Are you talking about in a hospital you're allowed to hang IV's?

If so, is that specifically outlined as falling within your scope of practice for your CNA certification? Otherwise, both you and the facility you work for are opening yourselves up to serious liability issues.