Scope of Practice?

[Satori77, ADN]

I was wondering what the difference is between an LPN and RN? I know RN's have another year or so of school, and take more advanced classes. But what exactly can an RN do that an LPN cannot? What is within an LPN's scope of practice? Thanks

[nursegov]

It changes from state to state. LPNs cant push any meds or actually hang blood. When a patient is admitted the RN has to do the first assessment and some states mandate that a RN has to assess a patient every 24 hrs. Every state is different, the best thing to do is check your state nurse pratice act. And the same goes with the facility you work in, everyone is different. I work in Orlando Fl and both hospitals in this area are very different from each other as far as what they let there LPN's do.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

It changes from state to state. LPNs cant push any meds or actually hang blood.

My state of residence, Texas, permits LPNs/LVNs to push IV meds. Some states are more restrictive regarding their LPN scopes of practice, whereas other states will allow LPNs to do almost anything. My advice to the original poster is to place a telephone call to Colorado's board of nursing to request a copy of that state's LPN nurse practice act.

[UnderpaidNurse]

My state of residence, Texas, permits LPNs/LVNs to push IV meds. Some states are more restrictive regarding their LPN scopes of practice, whereas other states will allow LPNs to do almost anything. My advice to the original poster is to place a telephone call to Colorado's board of nursing to request a copy of that state's LPN nurse practice act.

So True!!!! In North Carolina I could push all pain meds, hang abx, give blood with a RN cosigner, monitor IV chemo, pull piccs, access port-a-caths. I recently moved to California and all of a sudden, I"m relegated to basically med tech and wound nurse. We can hang NS bags and Blood, but no IV pushes and no IV abx hung...how weird we can give blood..

I'm ACLS certified as well, i'm still wondering if they'll actually let me put paddles on a patient now lol.

[ctm985]

I am new to the state of Georgia. I also hold an LPN license in FL, and am familiar with the scope there. I'm finding that the board of nursing in Ga gives vague information, i.e. doesn't specify our position for IV's.

Your employer should have a policy/protocol re: your duties. They can be stricter than the state board, but never less.

[otiscokat]

I have a license in Indiana and Kentucky. In Indiana I can do everything except spike bags of blood, I can start it, just can't spike it. In Kentucky I can't give anything in a central line or start blood products. If you live on the state line as I do, it can get confusing. The BON usually have guide line posted on their web sites.