Texas LVN's giving IVP medications. Whats the problem?

[sma]

Started nursing as an LVN in 79 in ICU. Since that time, I've worked 16 years in ICU, 2 years in the ER, 2 1/2 years in an IV therapy department and so on.

During all this time, I've been giving IVP medications. I have taken 3 different IV certificate training courses along with several critical care courses. My IV skills are excellent, I've never made a mistake while giving IVP medications, I have a thick folder full of letters of commendations, recommendations and letters of praise from patients, family, RN's, LVN's, DON's and administrators alike. Every hospital I've ever worked for has accepted me for who I am, my license, my work record, my skills, training & experience and of course, after taking the usual pre employment knowledge / skills / abilities test, have accepted me into their unit. Now, someone has reported me to the texas board of nurses for exceeding my scope of practice by mixing and administering IV medications to patients without proper training, skills and without adq. supervision. I've talked with the investigator and based on his information, there's no problem with anything except me giving IVP medications. He wants me to prove I was trained to administer IVP medications. My head is swimming. I could have sworn I was trained in LVN school to give IV medications and I know I received additional training in giving IVP medications when I received my initial training to begin working in ICU 25 years ago. So, whats up? Is there anyone out their that can either give me some advice or point me in the right direction?

[Rollins]

I understand your problem. As an LVN, I worked 1 year of Med-Surg, 1 year of ICU in a Level III hospital, 6 years strictly ED ( actually the night charge nurse for those years), as well as 1 and a half years in a Level I trauma center in the SICU. I too gave IVP medications throughout those years with never a thought or opposition to it. I did get "IV Certified" early in my career, and of course am certified in ACLS, PALS, NRP and all that. How can we be certified in those skills if we can't give IVP medications? I wish you luck in your situation.

[imn2nursing]

I do know that in my school they did not teach us to do IV medications. Since graduating in 97 I have taken the IV start class, IV piggyback class and now getting ready to take the IVP class to do narcotics etc. Good luck.

[Mizzyfrufru, LPN]

@ my school here in VA we are trained on all of that. LPN's do IVP in hospitals here. we are going to be doing them in clinicals. i'm not sure why some states do not allow LPN's to push meds. all nurses should be trained to do this. good luck to you.

[CashewLPN, LPN]

Hmm... its a state to state thing... here in NY, we are not allowed to do IVP's..

Its very interesting to hear this from you all...

-Cashew

@ my school here in VA we are trained on all of that. LPN's do IVP in hospitals here. we are going to be doing them in clinicals. i'm not sure why some states do not allow LPN's to push meds. all nurses should be trained to do this. good luck to you.