Separate License for IV Meds?

[PhilG]

In the Philippines, does it sound plausible that a new licensed, board-certified RN is only able to give oral meds and must take a P2k class during the 6 months of community service to earn a separate license to be able to administer IV meds, which is of course a required skill in any hospital? Our niece is a nurse in PI and we're hoping she's leveling with us about needing P2k for a 3-day training class that will result in a special (needed?) license for IV med administration. So far we have people telling us it's probably not true, so we're just curious.

[buzz_lightyear]

In order for a graduate nurse in the Phil to work as a nurse, one must take and pass the the National Local Exam at minimum to be a Licensed Nurse. A Licensed Nurse on the other hand needs special IV training to be a certified IV Therapist. IV Therapist are involved in administering IV drugs, preparing & changing IV infusion sets, administering blood & blood components, central line nutrients (TPN) most importantly they are trained on how to cannulate.

Most hospital prefers certified IV Trained nurses over non certified. The training course really is for 3days P1500 - P2000 plus or minus but that only covers the 2day lecture & 1 day practical (return demo). After the 3day lecture, the trainee must have an actual training and needs to accomplish an IV Form that needs 6x initiating peripheral iv infusions, 6x IV drug administration and 2x administering & maintaining blood & blood components. Form must be properly signed by IV trained preceptor, nursing director, etc. This form must be completed within 6months after the course training and forwarded to ANSAP (Association of Nursing Service Administrators of the Phil) for them to evaluate and grant the applicant a License.

I hope this will help clear things up regarding the IV training.

[morfern07, LPN, LVN, RN]

What license are you pertaining to? license for IV meds? I haven't heard of that. What I know is a nurse should undergo training in IV therapy. This training includes med administration thru IV route, blood transfusion, mixing IV medication, setting up IV line and inserting IV and TPN. After finishing this training, you will apply at ANSAP (located at Lourdes hospital) for an IV license/card.

[PhilG]

Ok, so it's true then that when a brand new graduate becomes a licensed board-certified RN, at that point they're still only able to give oral meds until they obtain specific training later, on administration of IV meds. It's interesting that a board-certified RN cannot yet administer IV meds. Thanks.

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

I was initially skeptical about these IV therapy training courses as well. Especially because hospitals are offering them and charging a fee. When I was a nurse at Philippine General Hospital in the early 90's, we weren't required to have such a course and nurses were starting IV's and giving IV push and piggy back meds, and blood transfusions.

But I guess this was being alllowed to happen somewhat "illegally" as the Philippine Nursing Act does not list IV therapy as an RN role. In fact, even at PGH, we were supposed to page medical interns and residents to start the IV's, give the IV meds and blood products. We just rarely followed the rules because the nurses there were better at doing these procedures anyway and we usually got an attitude especially when we page the resident in the middle of the night.

Ridiculous as that may sound, entrusting a procedure to a mere medical student or a less than full-fledged physician rather than a fully-licensed RN was what the law in the Philippines state. So the bottomline is, these training programs are required for nurses to be able to start IV's and give IV meds in the Philippine setting and naturally, the hospitals found a way to cash in on it.

[ultrababe]

2K sounds right... i myself have been busy last month trying to sign up to this program, the price ranges from i'd say 1200 to 3k+, depending on the hospital, some offer it as a package, meaning iv training plus some kind of bedside training, others offer just the 3-day training plus another fee on top of that (sometimes P500) for completing your cases...

most tertiary hospitals won't even entertain job applications from newly grad nurses without iv certification...

[lenjoy03, RN]

RN are allowed to give only oral meds only after 100% passing the exam. I dont know if this is applicable in other hospitals, but from where I work we do that. Then after 3-4 months, we will be scheduled for IV therapy training for free! I understand that some hospitals dont pay for it so the nurses shoulders for this training. After you are certified, that's the only time you can do IV push meds or anything to do with IV. Oh I forgot! SOme hospitals also requires IV therapy license like Asian hospital as one of their requirements for hiring nurses. Hope this helps...

[wenursetheworld]

lenjoy does makati med offer iv training? how much? is it open to all who wants to apply? and does it include the completion months?

[lenjoy03, RN]

hmmmm... IV therapy training is offered ONLY to their own staff for free.... This training is exclusive... Try the ANSAP website if they have schedules for IV therapy training.

[balotzkii]

BUZZ LIGHTYEAR,

Where could I possibly get an IV therapy training because I'm a licensed nurse but I'm currently working as a customer service representative and I know that hospitals are the ones who offer the training for free. Is there any possibility that you could tell me where can I have this training though I'm not working in such hospital? Where and how much? Thank you so much!

[buzz_lightyear]

balotzki,

I had my IV traning lecture at The Medical City and IV actual insertion for completion at NKTI. Last time i heared was The Medical City stopped the lectures for outsiders. But dont worry NKTI offers both lecture & completion you can call them and inquire.

9243601 loc 3104

Hope this helps.

[juliena]

Would it be possible for those who have already taken the IVT training course to share with us where they took it, and how their training went?

Thanks.