Could someone help me understand the role of an LPN?

[pghnurse527]

I'm not sure if every state is different, but my RN program has been so vague about explaining what LPNs can and cannot do. There are a lot of NCLEX questions I've been coming across about delegation and it's hard to answer them because I'm not sure of the scope of practice of an LPN.

I have heard different stories from everyone, so I figure actually asking LPNs is the best way to learn.

The different discrepancies we keep coming across are:

Can all LPNs give medications? Are certain medications restricted? Can LPNs do anything with IVs? Can LPNs do the same assessments as RNs? Are there other tasks such as dressing changes, NGs, foleys, etc. that LPNs are not allowed to do?

Thank you!

[steffuturelpn]

in pa lpns are allowed to hang ivs, and do flushes, we cannot push any meds iv, but we can do foleys, ng, and wound care, i have done a lot of that, we can give meds im, iv, sq, po, rectal, g tube feeds and meds, eye drops, ear drops, and certain parts of assessments but the rn has to do certain things. some places require iv certification, which many lpns attain, i hope that helps

[steffuturelpn]

oh we also do insulin, heparin shots and lovenox

[realnursealso/LPN, LPN]

Go to your states BON website and read the LPN scope of practice.

[caliotter3]

You also might want to try to contact working LPNs to ask what they do in their facilities as a matter of policy. While this might not be strictly helpful as far as answering an NCLEX question, it will give you an idea of what to expect once you start working.

[pghnurse527]

Thank you all so much! This really helped!