lvn and picc lines in texas

mimismom · Jun 27, 2006

In Texas it is a state of its own. I have worked here in the valley now for about 20yrs. It is good pay but they over extend they duties of the LVN because they need them so badly. Pic lines are the duty of the RN and it should be done in the ICU CCu units. But in Texas the Dr try to do it on the main floors. You have to be very careful this state will over use you as a LVN. IV.s they train within the facility you work. It is not on your license like some states.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2006

Piccs are everywhere..hospitals , nursing homes and even in home health. I am a LVN IV certified (not sure if that makes a difference or not) and this is our policy at my job. I can flush and hang whatever but I dont D/C and I wont change the dressing. Hope that helps but check with your facility and your BON.

suebird3 · Jun 29, 2006

here is a link to the tx bon: texas

suebird3

iLOVEbees · Jul 9, 2006

Horsefeathers!

I was a Texas LVN for years (RN about a year ago) and I infused into PICC lines, central lines, whatever. The facilities I've worked at it was the same.

There are certain cardiac meds you can't push as an LVN in Texas. Don't limit yourself arbitrarily. You are a skilled prefessional and Texas recognizes that even if many other states don't.

LVN'06 · Jul 12, 2006

I graduated in May of 2006 from a LVN program in Texas and during our Legal Ethical course in the last semester we went over the LVN's role in central lines. It is up to the facility you work for as to weather or not an LVN may push meds or do dressing changes on a central line. As for the setting in which central lines are used they are in all settings hospitals, home health, long term care facilities and out patient clinics. It is also up to the facility you work for weather or not you need be IV certified to start IV's or utilize them. Yes here in Texas we know that the ideal place for a central line to be inserted is in an acute care setting although with the help of well trained nurses LVN's and RN's it is possible for patients to be sent home (wherever home may be) with them in place and not have complications.

norinradd · Jul 12, 2006

PICC lines have always been part of my job. It really does depend on where you work. I ask up front when I interview what the limits will be. I enjoy working toward the edge of possibilities. If you don't, that makes me no better than you. It is a personal choice. However, if you pull the LVN card everytime you are out of your comfort zone it makes admin start to question the abilities of LVNs as a whole. Regardless of the rules or the law, if you are asked to do something you do not feel competent about, it is your responsibility to refuse. This goes for you if you are an LVN or an RN. The field is to broad to think school alone will cover everything.

pickledpepperRN · Jul 12, 2006

When I was an LVN in California a nursing supervisot asked me to pass meds including IV antibiotics. That is not within the LVN scope in our state. It is very important to know what is OK in your state.

Texas LVN guidelines:

ftp://www.bne.state.tx.us/lvn-guide.pdf

LVN'06 · Jul 14, 2006

PICC lines have always been part of my job. It really does depend on where you work. I ask up front when I intervue what the limits will be. I enjoy working toward the edge of possibilities. If you don't, that makes me no better than you. It is a personal choice. However, if you pull the LVN card everytime you are out of your comfort zone it makes admin start to question the abilities of LVNs as a whole. Regardless of the rules or the law, if you are asked to do something you do not feel competent about, it is your responsibility to refuse. This goes for you if you are an LVN or an RN. The field is to broad to think school alone will cover everything.

Well said.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 20, 2006

I work at a nursing home in Fort Worth where all IV-certified LVNs are allowed to flush PICC lines.

vloho · Jul 5, 2007

Go to o*net next click on o*netonline There you will find a job description providing all skills req. I'd just like to know when they added IV therapy.When I went to school we were not allowed to touch IVs,I don't know if that was hosp policy.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2007

I live in south texas and I work home health. I have been an lvn for a short 3 years. I was asked today to infuse vanco on a pt with a picc line! I refused. I wanted to see if anyone who works in texas knows what the scope of lvn's with picc lines? I also have not been certified w/iv's mainly because we usually don't work w/iv's, but I will in the future. I have been told by several lvn's that this should be done by the RN only?

Update: I'm aware this thread is almost 1 year old, but I have something to add. I administered IV Vancomycin several times last month, infusing it through the PICC line per the physician order. If you're an LVN in Texas with the proper IV certification, you are allowed to give Vancomycin through PICC lines. There are differing types of IV certification, but you should be okay as long as you are certified in IV therapy for central lines and PICCs.