Learning my boundaries as a new nurse

[CaityCamya]

I live in Florida. Why is it so difficult to get clear cut answers about our scope of practice, and what we can and cannot do? I have read the nurses practice act, and no where does it clearly outline what lpns can or cannot do. I ran into a dilema this week where an RN had accessed a port and hung some ABT on my patient. Well, she went home with the IV running, and I was unsure as to whether or not I could d/c the IV and flush the port with NS. I work in a LTC and so I called the DON and she said that according to the pharmacy, IV certified LPN's could hang, d/c, and flush ports. I would rather know if the state approves, not the pharmacy company, which is the company I got my IV cert. from. I went ahead and did it, and I charted what the DON had said. Still, is there anywhere we can find out exactly what we can/cannot do without placing a call to the FL BON everytime we have a question?

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

I would call them and find out. First, its their job to tell you that stuff so its not like you are bothering them. Secondly its YOUR license on the line if you do something wrong. After all that hard work, I would hate to lose it because of something like that.

( I think your DON is correct though. Or rather that is what I have heard.)

[diane227, LPN, RN]

The hospital, not the board will establish most of your guidelines as to your level of practice. Most issues that are usually a problem for LPN's are Iv's, IV meds, chemo, accessing ports, blood draws from central lines, hanging blood or doing advanced skills like calculating drips (heparin, vasopressors, etc). Your hospital policy books will outline what you can and cannot do. The Board rule do not usually address specific issues. The only specific issue that they address is the issue of delegation and believe me, you need to understand the concept of delegation. Especially what tasks that an RN can delegate to you. Your facility should have a list of tasks that you cannot perform. Ask for it.

[mama_d, BSN, RN]

My facility has a matrix which delineates what tasks RN/LPN/EMT/tech can do. It's extremely useful, I always have a copy of it with me. Check around and see if anyone at your facility has a similar chart.