LP/VN Advanced Cert's

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I know I'm looking down the road a little, seeing as how I just submitted my LPN app and the acceptance letters go out on the 30th but...

What advanced certs can an LPN get?

The ones I know of are PALS/PEARS and IVT. I want to work with peds and eventually peds onc/hema, but I can't find any info about if LPNs can get oncology certs.

Also, I can't find any websites that list ALL the certs an LPN can get. Can anyone help me with this?

I plan on going on to get my RN, then BSN, and finally PNP (peds NP). But I really want to be an LPN for awhile, and build a reputation with the facility I'm trying to get hired on to, because they will pay for my RN-BSN bridge, and I know they also hire PNP's.

Thanks nursies :)

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Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.

You can get your ACLS cert, Hemodialysis cert, PALS cert, IV cert, Wound cert, OR Tech Specialty, Ortho Tech, Pharmacology certification...

In other words, there are many you can get. The ones I listed are just a drop in the bucket. Your instructors and your state Board Of Nursing should be helpful in informing you as to which certifications are available and beneficial to you. Good luck!

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I am not sure you can get as many as RN's can. acls, pals, etc, sure. Most specialty certifications list a requirement of working as an RN for 'x' number of hours before someone can take the test. You can search the specific cert and go to the licensing board to see the qualifications.

good luck! I had hard time getting into acls as an lpn, since the rn's had a higher priority to go then we did. I ended up paying out of pocket at another hospital.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

It depends on the state. Some states LPNs can not work in dialysis or oncology in a nursing capacity per scope of practice.

Check out this thread regarding certifications.

https://allnurses.com/lpn-lvn-corner/lpn-lvn-additional-215714.html

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And some LPN's can not get ACLS nor PALS certified--depends on the state, and the facility. In some states, LPN's can not push IV medications, therefore, can't participate in that part of ACLS/PALS. Also, because some scopes of practice do not allow for LPN's to direct RN's clinically, an LPN in those instances can not run a code. So should you have to pay for ACLS or PALS, be sure that you can actually get certifed, at what capacity they will allow you to work to, and that your LPN policy backs your actions.

IV certification the same, as in some states, LPN's can not work with anything but peripherial IV's. Same with Oncology, as most have ports.

I know that other LPN's will chime in that they can do all these things, but in my state only and my facility only they are not within my scope. And I find I need to be mindful of that.

However, wound care certification is an awesome one, you could get your EMT, and Hospice has a special certification just for LPNs.

Check with you BON, and in the case that the scope is vauge (mine says you just have to show compentency, and you can do just about anything) your facility dictates what an LPN can and can not do. And it changes facility to facility.

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And I just noticed you have a goal of hematology. In my scope, I can not verify nor hang blood products. I can monitor. Also, diaylisis--I could monitor, but nothing else.

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From a strictly anecdotal perspective, the most common LPN specialty I've seen is by far wound care. Every wound nurse I've ever worked with in LTC has been a LPN.

By LPN standards, they have a relatively high level of independent practice. They can initiate treatment plans and the doctors sign off on their orders with a high degree of trust in their assessments.

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Thanks for all of the great info!! I live in FL, and from what I can understand, PALS, PEARS, IV, ACLS are all certifications I can get and use here. There is a home health organization that deals strictly with peds around here, and my goal is to work there as an lpn with my certs, and do that until I finish my RN-BSN. I will definitely look into the BON scopes for my license.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Thanks for all of the great info!! I live in FL and from what I can understand, PALS, PEARS, IV, ACLS are all certifications I can get and use here. There is a home health organization that deals strictly with peds around here, and my goal is to work there as an lpn with my certs, and do that until I finish my RN-BSN. I will definitely look into the BON scopes for my license.[/quote']

You don't need both pals and pears. Pears is basic information that is included within pals.

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