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Discussion

Can nurses suture?

Under their legal scope of practice, can any nurses suture? LPNs, RNs, NPs, etc? Or is suturing only "allowed" by doctors and physician assitants. I ask because you often hear about military corpsmen and medics suturing (they are taught this during their intial training), but never nurses!

Thanks to all in advance.

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The only civilian nurses that i'm aware of that can sutures are RNFAs.

  • Experts

Need to check each states practice act.

APRN's permitted to suture in PA.

The only civilian nurses that i'm aware of that can sutures are RNFAs.

I believe that some NPs can too. I'm not 100% sure.

  • Experts
I believe that some NPs can too. I'm not 100% sure.

Depends on the situation. A lot of ER NP's suture. Generally the way the state boards look at it: do you have training in it. Is it allowed by the state board. For what its worth I sutured a ton in the Army as a medic.

David Carpenter, PA-C

There has been talk of this for years at my level I ED, but it has never happened. I don't know the legalities.

Here in Texas, NP's definitely can in many settings... I even know offshore paramedics who can do it.

I am a student in WA state, I work in the local ER as a tech and I asked the ARNP who does alot of our sututes. No LPN or RN's suture in WA, except for military (He is a retired Military NP) and in the military he said the techs do it, and they are very good at it. Of course Military (Or VA/ other federal employees on federal property) Arent subject to state board oversight.

Depends on state law, all NPs should be able suture as that a basic part of primary and specilaty care.

RNFAs can suture for surgical procedures only, I dont think an ER could have a RNFA on staff just to suture lacerations. Technically they can but it woudl go against the advisory opinions and statutes in most states.

In California RNs can suture if the work in a department that has standardized procedures allowing it.

Jeremy

It's all scope of practice. If not specifically forbidden by the BON, the nurse is trained and can demonstrate competancy, and the facility p&p is in place, then yes a nurse can suture-its a procedure. There is usually a size and condition limit, and is done under md order just like suture removal or wound debridement.

We used to do simple suturing to assist the MD such as suturing arterial lines post insertion (which we did also) and assisting in the suturing of indwelling lines the Doc inserted in either the ER or the ICU. You had to be specifically trained to do so and we were covered under our hospital policy. This was in KY.

  • Experts
Depends on state law, all NPs should be able suture as that a basic part of primary and specilaty care.

RNFAs can suture for surgical procedures only, I dont think an ER could have a RNFA on staff just to suture lacerations. Technically they can but it woudl go against the advisory opinions and statutes in most states.

In California RNs can suture if the work in a department that has standardized procedures allowing it.

Jeremy

The real issue is reimbursement in my opinion. The NP or PA is going to get reimbursed. Most others will not.

David Carpenter, PA-C

Unless you are in an urgent care and it is billed incident to the physician or provider (NP or PA).

Jeremy

The real issue is reimbursement in my opinion. The NP or PA is going to get reimbursed. Most others will not.

David Carpenter, PA-C

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