Someone please respond to my GI job questions!!!!

[kstec, LPN]

I have a thread in GI nursing and noone has responded. I had an interview at a GI facility today and one of my questions is in regards to scope of practice (Illinois, BON website is hard to understand). The job entails starting IV's, "doing conscious sedation", assisting in procedures and working in recovery. Can I push medications? Or only under the supervision of a physician? Oh and by the way I'm a LPN. I'm very excited but scared as doing a job a RN should be doing, but I'm cheaper. I know I would learn alot and am capable but do not want to bite off more than I can chew. I'm sure they are letting me do what is in my scope, it just seems weird to me. Am I just cheap labor or is this common practice? Also what is the going rate for a LPN in a GI facility? Thanks for any information regarding this issue.

[leslie :-D]

i'm sorry, but i think only your npa can address your responsibilities and limitations.

best of luck in your new job!

leslie

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

LPNs in IL can NOT push meds for conscious sedation - it takes an RN and special training and then only in the hospital. In a free-standing clinic or outpatient surgery center, stricter rules apply.

[kstec, LPN]

They told me that I would be starting INT's and pushing versed for conscious sedation. I guess I really need to look into this further to see what legalities I could run into. They know very much that I'm a LPN, but I also know what they said. Why would they be asking this of me, if it's in a LPN's scope of practice. Also, I know of a student that I went to school with who just quit there to go get her RN and as a LPN she was doing conscious sedation for colonoscopy's. Where can I possibly find literature to support this? Any help would be appreciated.

[ready4crna?]

Regardless of what your prospective employer has told you, your NPA does seem to prohibit IV push medications by an LPN. The practice act itself has no reference to IV meds, but in a subsection there is a pharmacology curriculum that specifically does NOT allow for iv push medications. (Section 1300.44)

I would submit to you that due to the fact that RN's in your state (and most others) must undergo further training for the safe administration of moderate sedation. This fact coupled with your own doubts as to the legality of your actions should prompt you to protect your license. Contact the BON and ask for a clarification of the rule.

[Little Panda RN, ASN, RN]

Yes be very careful when working for this type of place. I had gone to work for a small for profit clinic that also ran a GI lab. When I accepted the job I was told that I would not have to do things that were not within my scope of practice. After I started there I soon realized that not everything going on was above board as you can say. I would hear many times from the docter, "well you do not have to do it, but I sure wish you would". He also told me not to worry about my BON and dont bother to contact them about my scope of practice. I worked the GI lab with him starting IV's and monitoring the patient pre-procedure, during the procedure and post-op, but I refused to push the sedation. It was months before we even had an ambu bag in the room:eek:. Anyways I worked there for only 4 months and left. I actually left nursing alltogether for the time being.

So please be careful because most places like this will tell you one thing and then expect another.

No one will care for your hard earned license like you do!