Picc Lines

Hi- Where I am, we can flush, draw from, maintain and hang, and change the dressing.

How lucky...upon reading the practice act seems like LPNs here are allowed to initiate, draw from, maintain and hang--not sure of the dressing change though. Thanks for your input.

When you said "I was just reading the nurse practice act but don't see anywhere where an LPN can either initiate an IV or monitor one", were you referring to PICCs or any kind of IV?

Now to the question at the end of your post: if an employer asked a LPN to perform a skill (that the nurse knows is) outside their scope of practice, I'd think the appropriate response would be for the LPN to refuse, while providing a detailed explanation supported by written proof. The last thing you want happening is to jeopardize your license for the sake of a facility. As I see it, the job is replaceable, an employee is replaceable(in the eyes of the employer).....but one's nursing license is not.

(Hopefully that made sense)

I was just making a general statement based on my findings at the time. However, upon reading the practice act, I noted though that IL LPNs are allowed to initiate, draw from, maintain and hang IV. No mention of dressing changes. When I had the basic & advance certification class, the iv nurse instructor indicated that, it was the responsiblity of the RNs.

I agree with your comments concerning carring out any intervention(s) outside the state nurse practice act or scope of practice, it makes complete sense that any prudent nurse would want to protect their license. Thanks for your input.

We can maintain, we can monitor. We can also give fluids thru and flush if we have been certified to do so. But all under an R.N.'s supervision in this state. Always check out your own states guidelines.