what is the rule about who can give flu shots at your facility

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

RNs only in my LTC facility in PA. Same for PPDs.

[Agnus]

Originally posted by Emperess

WHAT???? Did you say LPN's can push IV meds at your hospital??? Now I may be grossly misinformed of the differences between states' scope of practice variations, but I didn't think LPN's/LVN's in ANY state were allowed to give IV push medications. I was an LPN before becoming an RN in Arizona, and I had to be IV-certified to hang IV piggybacks, and those were mostly your scheduled antibiotics, antifungals, Pepcid and things of that nature. Electrolyte riders, blood, Ampho-B, etc had to be hung by an RN, and IV push meds were not in my LPN scope of practice under ANY ANY ANY circumstances, and I know that hasn't changed in the years since I was an LPN. I admit it was tempting to breach my scope of practice to give Morphine for the umpteenth time in a shift of chasing down an RN to give it for me, but I knew I couldn't sign for it, and I would never ask someone else to sign for something I gave, so I can't imagine crossing that line. Where are you working at, mjlrn97?

The scope of practice of the LPN/LVN is determined by each state. There is NO UNIFORM SCOPE OF PRACTICE FROM STATE TO STATE.

[unknown99, BSN, RN]

I am an LPN in Ohio, and everywhere I have worked, LPNs have been able to give the flu shot.

[jemb]

Usually, stupid rules (such as RN's only being allowed to give flu shots) have come from a kneejerk reaction from a single bad situation. Could it be that sometime in the past a patient was not assessed for allergies (like eggs--contraindication in some flu shots) or some mistake was made in dosage or such by a non-RN that prompted this silly regulation? Of course, an RN would never make a mistake like that! Yeah, right...

Pretty silly, I think.

[nurseygrrl, LPN]

I'm an LPN in LTC in NY and we give flu shots. The only stipulation is that there be an MP or NP in the building in case anyone has an adverse reaction.

[jude11142]

I am an LPN and I have worked part time giving flu shots at the local flu clinics(like stop&shop, banks etc). I was hired by the VNA and they scheduled the clinics. I live in Connecticut and this is the 2nd season of doing them.

It's stupid though, because at the long-term facility where I work full-time, the Assistant DON gives out all of the flu shots. To be honest, I don't know why. Now I wonder if it's because she is an RN. Or it could be that us charge nurses(who are both RN/LPN's), are too busy, so that's why they have somebody else do them???

JUDE

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

NEVER heard of this rule.

In PA. when I was LPN on pulmonary unit, we gave flu and pneumonia shots, did PPD + TB testing too. All was included in part of our orientation to the unit with skill checkoff performed.

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

LPNs here in Va. and NC both give flu shots...

[ktwlpn, LPN]

Originally posted by oramar

We have this rule that the flu vaccine has to be given by a RN. I just don't get it. Why would LPNs not be permitted to do this? I know for a fact that medical assistants are giving in most MD offices. Neither my pulmonologist or my PCP has a nurse in the office.

From the PA State Board of Nursing web site>>>>>>>>>> (e) The LPN may administer immunizing agents and do skin testing only if the following conditions are met:

(1) The LPN has received and satisfactorily completed a Board approved educational program which requires study and supervised clinical practice intended to provide training necessary for administering immunizing agents and for performing skin testings.

(2) A written order has been issued by a licensed physician pertaining to an individual patient or group of patients.

(3) Written policies and procedures under which the LPN may administer immunizing agents and do skin testing have been established by a committee representing the nurses, the physicians and the administration of the agency or institution employing or having jurisdiction over the LPN. A current copy of the policies and procedures shall be provided to the LPN at least once every 12 months. The policies and procedures shall provide for:

(i) Identification of the immunizing and skin testing agents which the LPN may administer.

(ii) Determination of contraindications for the administration of specific immunizing and skin testing agents.

(iii) The listing, identification, description and explanation of principles, including technical and clinical indications, necessary for the identification and treatment of possible adverse reactions.

(iv) Instruction and supervised practice required to insure competency in administering immunizing and skin testing agents.

>>>>>>>>>>Today these topics are covered in the LPN curriculum.....(IV meds,too)

[ktwlpn, LPN]

Originally posted by Emperess

WHAT???? Did you say LPN's can push IV meds at your hospital??? Now I may be grossly misinformed of the differences between states' scope of practice variations, but I didn't think LPN's/LVN's in ANY state were allowed to give IV push medications. ?

Here is a link to a page with links to every state BON-check it out yourself..... http://www.nurse-recruiter.com/usbon.html