IV & Pic lines

[nurse62]

I was in an 11 months LPN Program. We went thru a 4 hour class pertaining to IV and PIC Lines. However, we were informed we were NOT CERTIFIED to admininster nothing thru an IV nor a PIC line, and would need to further our education prior to doing such. All we legally can do, is maintain an IV or PIC. I work in a LTC and on occasion have patients either with IV or PIC lines. Due to not being certified I refuse to hang a piggy back of ATB or flush a PIC line. I usually get snarled at. I assist the nurse who is doing it for me, such as getting supplies etc. I know it is just another added task for the certified IV nurse, but why don't they understand my side of it. A while back, I needed a BMP on patient, lab came out but couldn't get no blood out of the left arm and the right arm had a PIC. The lab tech couldn't draw blood from the PIC but stated if we could get a nurse who was qualified to do it, they had no problem waiting. Three RN's and even the supervisor wouldn't do it for they had never done it before. It finally got done at 3 pm when a RN came on duty who had done it many times at the hospital and agreed to do it. Hopefully now I won't get snarled at next time I refuse to flush one. And it is not that I don't know how to do it, it is that I AM NOT CERTIFIED. Am I right or wrong?

[nursemary9, BSN, RN]

Hi

No matter what the task is, if you are not allowed to do something, that is the bottom line.

You need to know what you are allowed to do in your state and that's it--even if people become upset with you. If push comes to shove, it is your license on the line--no there's.

You worked hard to get that license, so you need to be careful. there are always people who say they will back you up--but guess what--when the license is at stake, they're gone!!

Good Luck

[sjoe]

"there are always people who say they will back you up--but guess what--when the license is at stake, they're gone"

You got that right.

[Noney]

Stand your ground. If there were three RN's on duty plus another RN supervisor and they all claimed ignorance, I say an inservice is in order. Sounds like laziness on their behalf to me.

Noney

[Tiki_Torch]

I'm proud of you for standing up for what you know is correct and in the best interest of your patients and your license! Bravo for having the backbone to speak up for yourself.

Concerning the RNs who wouldn't get a lab specimen from the PICC line... I'd imagine that they know that if they do not have the experience in drawing blood from a PICC line then they shouldn't attempt to do it... just like you not wanting to do things with the IVs/PICCs that you aren't qualified to do. PICC lines are very special lines where the tip of the catheter is very, very close to the patient's heart. If a RN doesn't feel she/he has the training to draw blood from one then they shouldn't do it. Luckily an RN with experience did come along!

Even though some nurses will give you a "look" or whatever, they know in their heart you are right in not doing things you aren't qualified to do. Deep inside they know you are right and I'm sure are respectful of you standing up for yourself.

Thank you for being a prudent, considerate and safe person!!!

[MikeLPN]

I was in the exact same position. Talk to your DON Today and right now about getting certified. I did an inservice plus videotapes plus books and nursing journals. I don't start IVs and I don't draw blood because I have not been trained for that but we have a couple of LPNs who could do it with eyes closed (well, they don't do it here either). This you gotta know if for no other reason than what to do if things go wrong and when something is actually going wrong, if it's a simple problem or complicated. It's pretty much just plumbing with gloves on to me. My pet peeve; With multiple ports/pumps/meds ALWAYS label ALL EVERYTHING it's just tape and ink for godsakes and in an emergency you will be glad you did.

[nurse62]

Thanks you all for standing behind me. I have talked to my ADON about getting certified for two years now, and "the classes are coming soon" is all I have heard for two years now. I really want to become skilled concerning IV and PICC. How is it though, fellow nurses, who I know are not certified, perform these tasks and even intitial and document they did it....and nothing is ever said nor done? Once you are certified, do you get a certificate, or does the facility keep any kind of record stating your certified. I always ask the nurse who does my IV's if they are certified and if they say yes and ADM the med, then I write that in the chart , type of med adm via certified iv nurse....or simply an RN if it is an RN. And yes, I respect the RN's who did not attempt to draw blood from the PICC the same that I wish they would respect me when I ask them to hang a piggy back, etc.