Can ADN hang IV meds? Or only BSN?

[soon2be]

Someone told me that an ADN trained nurse cannot hang IV medications... only a BSN trained nurse can.....is this true?

Please clear up. Thank you.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

A licensed registered nurse can give IV meds - educational pathway does not matter.

Just out of curiousity ... would you be able to share where you heard this? From a student, an instructor, a college adviser, a non-nursing health care professional, a friend/family member/other member of the lay public??

Just curious, thanks.

[ginger58, ASN, RN]

Policies that determine who can do what regarding IVs are usually concerning RN versus LV/PN. These policies are usually set by the State Board of Nursing.

[elkpark]

Could the person who said this possibly have meant LPN? As the others said, I've never encountered a setting (in the few different states in which I've practiced over the years) where distinctions were made between what technical skills could be done by a BSN-prepared RN vs. an ADN-prepared RN. When it comes to skills, an RN is an RN.

The person who made the original comment is simply mistaken or confused.

[jmgrn65, RN]

Whether your are ADN/BSN/MSN or even dipolma RN all take the same boards. So they can do the same things.

[soon2be]

Thanks everyone, for answering. The person who told me was a former RN student, but didn't finish the program. She said that she thought this was the case back in the mid 90's.... I let her know that it doesn't matter ADN or BSN.

Thanks everyone for your replies!

[ashonman]

I am not sure what the person meant I am an LPN and I hang IV, so I would not know why an ADN wouldn't. There might be some confusion somewhere.

[SDS_RN, RN]

I am ADN and I hang IV meds all the time! There is no difference between BSN and ADN other than education. We all have the same basic core nursing skills and can perform the same tasks. As far as I know that's how it is nation wide.

[KLKRN, RN]

Thanks jmgrn for that wonderful quote. Where does it come from? I may have to appropriate it!

[NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN]

I have a nursing teacher who stated in her traveling career that she knew of a few states that only allowed BSN to start IV's...But once it was started the ADN/ASN could change them....but I'm not sure if they could do IV push

[KLKRN, RN]

Wow! I used to travel and I never heard of that. I've worked with some LVN's who even hang blood, but that depends on the hospital. I haven't checked the nurse practice act, but I do know that in some states LPN's are able to start IV's, hang IV's (but not abx and not push) if they go through a special certification training.

I have had an ADN for 25 years and have never been forbidden to do anything IV except PICC lines, which require further certification.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

70 percent of all RNs in the U.S. are educated at the ADN level. If ADN-RNs were not permitted to engage in IV therapy, healthcare facilities in America would be in shambles.

Hence, the information received by the OP is grossly incorrect.