The Final Word on IV Certification for LPNs

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

Hi, I am trying to find out the final word on IV certifications for LPNs. Especially in CT. I see LOTS of classes, but WHO exactly certifies the LPN? It seems like any group can put a class together and tell you its certified, but who is certifying you? Or is it just an Certificate class? When I asked the place (PICC Resourses) they told me there is NO National IV Cert program. I was trying to get this under my belt so my resume would stand out a little more. But its kinda confusing and I do not want to waste money on a gold leaf certificate from Staples.. Please help... I called and asked NFLPN, they were no help. I never got a CLEAR answer. At work, the "word on the ward" is there is this mysterious group that give National Certs, but its unclear if its for just RNs or LPNs. NO ONE seems to know. Does anyone have a NFLPN IV Cert, and is this as National as LPNs get? or can any local group do this?

Regi:coollook:

Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.

i got my iv certification from work when i was an lpn last year. it is from the pharmacy we used. my facility hosted the class where nurses from other facilities come to my facility as well. the rn from the pharmacy taught the class and we had an exam at the and you need to get above 80% to pass. i got a certificate after one week. my facility paid around $350-$400 for me.

2ndcareerchange if you dont mind me asking where in ct are you from, i know a couple people in the medical field adon and in administration, i could try to find out from them, i too am looking for an iv cert class, if you ever happen to find one let me know..and i'll ask around.

In my state the Board certifies one when they receive the info from the recognized course that you take and pass. Then a notation is placed on your state license the next time you get a new one.

Specializes in Urology, Gyn, Family Practice, HBO.

My IV course was included in the curriculum at my nursing school. It is certified by the state and has to be a state approved program. We had to pass a written test and start a successful IV with the instructor watching. All of the course information was sent into our state BON and when we received our licenses (after graduating and passing NCLEX) it said that we were IV certified.

Sometimes if you check on the BON website for your state it will have information posted for IV certification classes that are state certified and approved.

Specializes in LPN.

When I worked in Minnesota the nursing home gave classes. We had to go every year. When I moved to Florida, I got mine from a pharmacy the facility used and it's a one time and your done deal.

Specializes in geriatrics,wound care,hospice.

As scope of practice varies from state to state,so does the elusive and much sought "IV Certification" for LPNs. I was certified in Colorado in '80,at the urging of my administrator in my newish job in a LTC. She was reluctant to hire an LPN c 11yrs.experience in LTC without it! There was 1 other LPN in the class,the others were RNs and it was 44hrs. long. BON issued cert.,and I became LPN-IV. 2 futhur updates over next 15 yrs. enabled me to hang ABX and utilize central venous access devices for fluid/drug delivery and draws. Each state should have its' own definitions of what IV cert. means in that state and what you can/cannot do. We got an LPN from Florida a few years back who said"sure,I'm IV certified",which turned out to be a 1 hr.demonstration from a pharmacist,1 observed start on the floor and off she went,"certificate" in hand! That didn't fly here in CO. Also,paramedics,military medics,EMTs who have been certified in their scope of practice are NOT certified under nursing practice in LTC in CO. Do your homework,and GO GET IT!

thanks for all the responses. i am in the northeast of ct. but here is the answer i recieved from the organization that is offering the class.

"the word certification is used loosely a lot in health care. first to be specific; in the u.s. true iv certification is becoming credentialed as an iv specialist by passing an exam and meeting the requirements of the infusion nurses certification corporation (incc). the incc awards the credential of crni- certified registered nurse infusion. the incc is affiliated with the infusion nurses society (ins). in general the crni credential is maintained by completing a required number of incc continuing education units within a three year period, or by retaking the crni exam every three years.

with the above said; what is often referred to in health care as obtaining iv certification is to become credentialed as proficient in peripheral iv catheter (aka short iv catheter or piv) insertion procedures, this is traditionally done through one's employer by obtaining an "in-house" certification (valid at the employing facility). through this method; employers require the health care professional to be credentialed in iv insertion procedures (found to be competent). this is done by completing education in the procedure, and observation of procedures performed satisfactorily based upon a set of criteria established within the organization's set policies. different organizations may have different criteria to consider an individual health care professional credentialed. according to the organization's policy and procedures. in general most organizations will require that the individual complete an iv insertion educational program, followed by that individual performing a certain number of precepted (clinically supervised) successful iv catheter insertions. education companies can assist individuals and health care facilities by ensuring that the training offered is evidence-based and in accordance with current standards and guidelines for vascular access procedures and care. in addtion to our iv insertion courses; picc resource offers an iv insertion certification validation program to assist employers and individuals in meeting current criteria for credentialing health care professionals in iv catheter insertion procedures.

upon successful completion of a picc resource associates, llc iv insertion class; the participant is awarded a certificate of completion and contact hours are earned. the contact hours are from an american nurses credentialing center (ancc) approver and are valid nationally. our iv insertion classes and programs offer a thorough and comprehensive education based on current infusion industry practices, guidelines, and standards. picc resource educational programs more than meet most organizational education requirements for credentialing in iv insertion procedures."

all that being said, i am going to the class next saturday. i guess i dont want to wait for my future employer to have the class for me i would like to have some of the experience under my belt to mention in my interviews and on my resume. tell me what you think of my strategy... i also signed up for pals and acls which will be paid for by my employer. those were the only classes that were offered to me. i am hoping this will sparkle my resume a little more than someone with my same background, which honestly is in marketing not nursing at all.

sorry so long, just wanted to share with you want i learned.

regi

Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, LTC.

My guess is it's state by state rules. Any facility can train you to do IV's and then you could go to another facility and they say no you can't do them. I think it depends.

I'm taking an IV therapy/central line management class online right now (FL). I'm hoping being IV certified will help me on my job prospects as a new LPN. Even if it doesn't, I'll need it anyway, because it's a prerequisite for the local LPN-RN bridge programs.

+ Add a Comment