NAPNES/OOPNES ??

[Yule B. AyOkay]

I hope this doesn't come off as a bad thing, or that something in my courses was lacking, but I honestly don't understand what NAPNES/OOPNES is pertaining to LPNs being able to pass medications/practice IV therapy within an LPN's scope of practice.

I have seen it mentioned quite a few times in older threads I have read, and I feel that I am missing something.

Could someone please explain to me what they are or where to find more information?

I would be extremely grateful. :)

Side-note: I am an LPN M-IV; My program requirements were minimum 4-8hrs/wk of pharmacology lectures from the very beginning to the end of my LPN courses, multiple lab test-outs in medication administration, and multiple "med days" dedicated to testing out on my skills in clinicals. I am wondering if that is what NAPNES/OOPNES is?

I am sorry to be so ignorant of this subject, but I would feel better having other nurses/future nurses/healthcare professionals explain it to me.

Thank you all in advance. :)

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

OOPNES? Isn't that a town in Belguim? :)

[Fiona59]

What's an "LPN M-IV"?

Doesn't every PN programme cover medication administration?

[guest2210]

OOPNES is the Ohio Organization of Practical Nurse Educators. When pharmacology is taken through your course work within your program, you are certified by OOPNES to admin meds. I received an OOPNES card when I graduated PN school in 1982. I had no problems with jobs when I showed this card with my licensure for a job.

NAPNES is the National Association of Practical Nurse Educators. A different facility offered this course to all of their LPNs who wanted to take it. SO now I am certified in OOPNES and NAPNES to administer medications.

Six years ago I took a totally separate course to become IV certified. That certification had NOTHING to do with my OOPNES ot NAPNES certs.

LPN M-IV is what is placed on licenses indicating that your can administer any meds po, topical as well as IV meds within your scope of practice in your state.

Many LPN programs currently incorporate their pharmacology courses into their curriculum. That was not true many years ago. I knew many LPNs who passed meds and did not have pharmacology in their coursework.

Hope this helps.

[Yule B. AyOkay]

@BrandonLPN

lol, that's basically how I felt asking this question.

@Fiona59

As far as I understand in Ohio they specify because some LPNs do not have medication certification and/or IV certification.

Our courses included medication and IV certification, but at the beginning of classes our coordinator said that if he/she felt we were inadequate in our skills to perform medication passes/IV therapy safely that it would be indicated in our paperwork sent to the BON and we could become LPNs, but that we would not become medication certified and/or IV certified. My class had a few students graduate with medication certification, but did not get IV therapy certification. They have to take an IV certification course now if they want to be IV certified.

@EMR*LPN

Thank you so much for helping to make it clearer for me. :)