LPN IV Push

[stressedlpn]

no We are allowed to hang minibags just not an actual pushes that we can't do

[nascargirl381]

In most of the hospitals around me LPN'S are not staffed and if they are they are not allowed to start IV'S, Hang blood, and IV Push meds.

[stressedlpn]

In response to canoehead we LPNs need RNs to do the paperwk and do the "pushes" .

[mattsmom81]

Here in Texas LPN's are mostly limited by facility policy and there is a wide variance....from facility to facility and even specific unit policies.

Some limit them to PO meds only, others have zero restrictions. In my ICU an LPN with the proper critical care competencies can do anything I can do.,... except be in charge. I'm still needed for that. (((whew))) LOL!

[shannonRN, BSN, RN]

lpns cannot push meds, start iv's, or hang blood at my hospital.

Originally posted by stressedlpn

Besides I get perverse pleasure out of telling this one RN who really spends the whole 12 hours we are on duty in one spot, that I am not allowed to do the pushes, the sour look on her face makes our night. There is a silver lining around every cloud

too funny!!!

[NurseLKY]

In Kentucky as a LPN I can hang a piggy pack, but i cannot push a drug. I cannot hang blood but i can monitor it and d/c it. I cannot hang K. And I cannot change an iv that is being titrated (heparin, insulin). That is about all I can't do.

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

It just blows me away the vast differences among states. I couldn't believe when one nurse (LPN) mentioned she was not permitted to start IV's where she came from (state is escapingme now.)

We just had a nurse start from down south and she is having quite a bit of culture shock.

[2rntish]

The difference from region-region or state-state is interesting. What I really find interesting is the difference in policy within states and "across town". Our QA has shown little or no difference in error rates between LPNs and RNs. Some of the best nurses I have worked with were LPNs (including critical care areas when allowed). Much like the difference in ADN vs BSN vs MSN...the nurse will make the best of his/her education. A good nurse can usually overcome an education deficit if they want to or given the oppurtunity. I agree that there should be an extensive competency evaluation prior to granting a clinical privilege. With the nursing shortage I think I or my family would rather have a competent nurse (LPN or RN) with an appropriate patient load and training doing IV bolus rather than the RN that is covering the entire floor run in and do it.

[Mattigan, RN]

Where I work after passing the LPNII course they can give IV pushes,hang blood and blood products and start IV's. I think the only things they cannot do is chemo drugs,access mediports, draw blood via ports or do pushes via port. The exception do not make sense to me in light of all they are allowed to do.

[Mattigan, RN]

...and some of the LPN's here think RN's are unnecessary for patient care and we pretty much just get in their way. We have some LPN's that have worked here for 30+ years when the only RN was the house supervisoror only 1 RN per nursing floor and I get to work with one of those every day. Did have 2 but one finally retired.

[2rntish]

Please don't get me wrong. We still need RNs. I used to feel threatened by LPNs with "too many privileges". Now, as long as they are acting within state and facility guidelines and competent, I'm all for it. More time for me to spend with my patients...

[Mattigan, RN]

Exactly, my favorite person to work with is an LPN of 4 years, she is great but the other LPN I work with thinks I am unecessary. When we have a difference of opinion on what to be done she sulks when I do it differently than she wanted. I tell her to take it up with the Nurse Manager when she is in the office. ( I am the Nurse Manager). I have a small unit and unless census is up we only have 2 nurses working.