Question about Injections and who can give them

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi all, I live in Indiana and my Mother called wanting to know who can legally give various injections from flu shots, tetorifice, to PPD skin test injections. I fired off an email stating to the best of my Knowledge only RN's and in some cases LPNs. My mother works for a company that normally keeps a staff nurse on hand for job related injuries (factory related injuries), but they have been without a nurse for awhile (economy, downsizing, etc). So I am wondering did I tell her wrong? can MA's do any injections? I saw an earlier post about people using the title "Nurse" and doing injections at the behest of Dr's but not actually being Licensed nurses. And yes i told her to be safe always have a licensed nurse do injections.

Jas

4 quarters down, 4 to go for my ADN! :yeah:

Okay...since I seem to keep putting my foot (or Keyboard) in my mouth....

I was not specificly talking about delegating to an LPN...in all honesty I was trying to find out the minimal (maybe I should have stated as such) qualifications to do injections.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

In many states, medical assistants DO give injections. Check your state board of health or nursing to find out whom that would be in your state.

Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.
I'm glad you admit you have a lot to learn. But let me pass on a nugget that might stand you in good stead. You need to be aware of the nursing regulations of whichever state you live in.

In my province, I as an LPN, work under my own insurance and permit. The only RN that "delegates" to me is the Charge who prepares the shift assignment for both RNs and LPNs. I will assist my coworkers but nobody gets to delegate "down" to a LPN. We may both delegate to the NA.

To add who may administer an injection, well, RNs, LPNs, second year and beyond nursing students, military medics. General injections such as insulin and B12? Well, anyone can. The GPs or NPs will ask a nurse to demonstrate to the patient how to do it for themselves and with return demos and the healthcare team agreeing that the patient is competent on how to do it, the script is written for the needles and syringes.

Hell, look at the bodybuilders who illegally inject steroids. Think they were skills checked?

This is how it is in my state too. Guess sometimes I "forget" that other states do not train/use LPN's like mine does.

Halfway through getting your RN and you are just not giving IM injections? We were doing that in the 2nd or 3rd month of school, plus IV's. I only mention that to let you know how much schools/states vary. I know we did clinicals in our last area with other schools that were "ahead" of us we did twice as much as they did. We also did clinicals with 4th year BSN students who didnt even know how to crush pills....

Okay again....yes things vary State to State...why I asked my original question which seems to keep getting lost in people wanting to correct me on what LPN's do. As for bringing up my schooling? why? Pointing out to me that you knew BSN students that couldn't crush pills?..I NEVER..and let me repeat for the record...never...meant to belittle, besmirch, take away from, lesson, or in way shape or form the talents, abilities or status of the LPN

I am did not want to get into a #$%^ing contest with any LPNs and am very confused by some of the replies here. I just had a simple question about injections.

To show you how easy misconceptions can lead one astray lets tackle the subject of my RN program and why I am "just now" doing injections and starting IV's..last quarter we just started doing injections and IV starts. Yes I am halfway done with the program..AN ACCELERATED program that combines the prereqs and core nursing classes into one package...I spent the first 3 quarters getting my science, math, tech classes out of the way and have just started what I would assume would be 2nd quarter (or the 4th month) for regular 2 yr program students that have to do prereqs then apply to the school of nursing

Ive given up on my original question, Thanks for all who answered that actually addressed that.

Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.

Woa... hold up... you took my comment way wrong, that or maybe I worded it wrong.

Im not trying to put down anyone. There are GREAT LPN's out there and there are GREAT RN's out there.

I will admit the wording of your original question through me off. But in my last comment I was simply trying to point out the differences that you can come across from school to school and state to state.

There are a lot of people who think of LPN's as nothing more than nurse's aides. I am a very proud LPN, but Im also very proud to say that I am going to school to get my RN, and I will be a very proud RN when that time comes.

Im not trying to get into a ******* contest with you either.

Specializes in Utilization Management.

"If the LPN does not have pharmacology certification they would not be able to give injections."

I am so confused by this. I am a LPN, took and passed pharm in my program, but in my state pharmacology certification is a completely optional thing. The fact that I graduated from my program and passed nclex gives me the ability to give injections.

Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.
"If the LPN does not have pharmacology certification they would not be able to give injections."

I am so confused by this. I am a LPN, took and passed pharm in my program, but in my state pharmacology certification is a completely optional thing. The fact that I graduated from my program and passed nclex gives me the ability to give injections.

Same for me

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

OK guys, the OP was asking a question and surely we as professionals can give an answer without upsetting everyone. As we know each state, heck even each country will have their own requirements on who can or can't give injections in the proper setting. We know that drug abuse happens whether it is steroids etc and they generally are not properly trained or supervised and all we can do is try to educate them to do it at least as clean and sterile as possible.

Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.

I think we have given the OP the answer, the only answer that can be given, it varies depending on where you are. There is no straight forward answer to the question.

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
you dont have to be tb certified to do tb tests...

"and in some cases lpns"??? where in the world is an lpn not allowed to give injections??

ma's, cma's, non licensed people trained by others all give injections.

it all depends on where and who's license they are working under.

im not saying i agree that they should, im just saying that they do.

i had the same reaction. lpns are nurses as well and are licensed to administer most medications.

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