Certification to allow LPN's to push IV meds?

Nurses LPN/LVN

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Specializes in ER, OB/GYN, Womens Health.

Is there a special certification that LPN's can take to be able to push IV meds?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

It all depends on the state in which you are practicing. I am in Texas, where the LVN scope of practice is wide open with regards to IV therapy. I have an IV therapy certificate which was earned through a local pharmacy that services my place of employment. In Texas, LVNs are allowed to push everything except certain drugs (vitamin K, cardioactives, etc).

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

In most cases, they offer IV certification, but I have not heard of LPNs doing IV pushes, or at least it is not in the current scope of practices in the states I heard of. There are LPNs that do them, mind you; but if something goes wrong, then, there can be some deep trouble. I have not been confronted with that issue working in a clinic or home care, however, I do not think I would be interested in doing IV pushes. Some of the drugs are really dangerous (such as lidocaine, atropine, amidarone, and lasix), and I would not risk my license. I am sure that more responses may show that some states allow it.

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No, Too much responsibility for your scope of practice. Why would you do it when you don't get conpensated for it?

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I think it also depends on the hospital. In mine only ICU RNs can do IV push on their unit. In the rest of the hospital, it's not a nursing job.

I agree why do something that they won't pay you for???

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Private Duty Peds.
it all depends on the state in which you are practicing. i am in texas, where the lvn scope of practice is wide open with regards to iv therapy. i have an iv therapy certificate which was earned through a local pharmacy that services my place of employment. in texas, lvns are allowed to push everything except certain drugs (vitamin k, cardioactives, etc).

here in the state of ga, lpn's can push iv drugs as long as the facility they work for has trained them to do so.

i know that i can push any thing but cardiac drugs when a pt is in a serious cardiac situation that requires agressive cardiac drugs. can't not hang blood, potassium, heprin or insulin drips.

i can push, lasix, vit-k, pepcid, lopressor, the list goes on. i have been trained to give these type drugs, and being the primary nurse for 6-9 med-surge pts, i don't always have time to find a rn to do it for me. this is why i am trained to do iv pushes.

i am sorry i don't agree with, if you don't get paid then don't do it. i am a very well trained lpn and i don't think that if other lpns' along with myself are putting their licenses on the line.

the state of ga says i am quailfied and so does the facility i work at, so i am doing my job, by taking care of my pts and yes, that means pushing iv drugs.

if one were to stop and really think about it, iv fluids are considered drugs too and that is a whole other topic.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I feel the same way. The risk is just too high, and that leaves more of a blur between the LPN and RN role. If they can get away with paying me less to do even more, then, that doesn't balance out in my brain.

They also offer certification in hanging blood. It is not mandatory in my state that LPNs do this, however, it can be a job requirement in certain facilities. The LPNs in the ER hang blood (needs to be double signed with an RN, though). I wouldn't do that, either. Again, too much risk and we are supposed to deal with stabilized patients with predictable outcomes. Of course, that is clearly not always the case, but I would not look for the opportunity to place a person at risk like that. The reason why I chose to be an LPN rather than an RN is for that very reason. I am not searching to deal with critical or emergent care on a regular basis, therefore, I would not perform a skill that may lead to that.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Private Duty Peds.

some of the drugs are really dangerous (such as lidocaine, atropine, amidarone, and lasix), and i would not risk my license.

these type drugs are usually only pushed when the pt is in serious cardiac trouble.

lasix can be dangerous, but so can pepcid, benadryl, demerol, phenergan and etc, etc.

i don't feel like my license is being risked for giving routine lasix or other drugs since i am qualified and deemed capable by the state of ga board of nursing and the facility i work at.

just my 0.2 worth

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

My job has LPNs hanging potassium. What gets me is that in NY, they state we can only push normal saline or heparin, however, potassium can kill, and they don't mind telling us to hang that drug.

If they did require it, then, I would have to do it, I guess, but, I am happier not to. Again, I don't want the responsibility. ONly RNs push lasix, hang insulin, and the other things mentioned by nurse hobbit. You are getting wonderful experience, though, nurse hobbit...kuddos to you! Seriously...no insult intended. That is great experience to carry with you. :0) Some things, for me, personally, can be left to the ones getting paid.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
some of the drugs are really dangerous (such as lidocaine, atropine, amidarone, and lasix), and i would not risk my license.

these type drugs are usually only pushed when the pt is in serious cardiac trouble.

lasix can be dangerous, but so can pepcid, benadryl, demerol, phenergan and etc, etc.

i don't feel like my license is being risked for giving routine lasix or other drugs since i am qualified and deemed capable by the state of ga board of nursing and the facility i work at.

just my 0.2 worth

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i agree with you. if the state says you can do it, then, you do it. i have never heard of most of the drugs you have mentioned be pushed (then again, i wasn't trained to do the iv push, so, i would not have an idea). i am just not interested in it, and am glad that it is not required here in ny.

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GA LPN here. I was certified through my hospital and I do my own IV pushes with the exception of some cardiac drugs that are normally only given in the Unit or on the Step down Unit. I receive certification pay so I'm not doing a job that I'm not getting paid for, but I'd still be happy to do it, even if I weren't offered certification pay. The LPN's and RN's at my facility seem to work well together and I credit the IV certification for LPN's as one of the reasons. There is nothing worse for an LPN than to have to ask an RN to take care of her patient, even if it is something simple like an IV push. It's bad enough having to ask them to verify and spike my blood products.

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Take a look at this thread I started that is now a sticky. I know there is a link in there somewhere with more information I.V Certification as an LPN/LVN.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f99/lpn-lvn-additional-certifications-215714.html

As many have mentioned, it all depends on your state's guidelines and the facilities guidelines!

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