The small things that hold LPN's back.

[anonymous1919, LPN]

Something I don't understand is why LPNs can't draw blood. They cannot where I am, at least. I understand why RN's can do certain things LPN's cant... because it's more important to know the "whys" then the "hows" for those tasks. But drawing blood? I know CNA's and LPN's can just take a Phleb class and then be able to do it. So why don't they just incorporate this into LPN school in the first place?

[Boog'sCRRN246, RN]

In my LPN program, it was a scope of practice issue. I'm in Florida and phlebotomy and IV's are not in the LPN's scope of practice unless they take a 32-hour course after graduation and become certified. Some programs include that course at the end, for an extra fee, but mine didn't. Luckily, a lot of employers will either pay for the course or reimburse because it can be very expensive.

[kat7ap]

This is also a skill that can be taught on the job. In my state there is no need for a LPN/LVN to take a phlebotomy class unless they just really want to. I took IV therapy in school but but not so much phlebotomy. There is already so much info crammed into a short LPN/LVN program. I never had much experience with drawing blood, so I asked my charge nurse to show me. She let me practice on her and then supervised while I did it on the pt. Not too hard to learn, but it takes practice and if you don't do it all the time you won't be as skilled. Every place I work has a lab person do most of the routine draws, but on occasion we might need to do it ourselves.

[Fiona59]

We can in my hospital with an extra course. But when the RNs and Lab Techs's make more than LPNs, the concensus is "why should we?"

[teeniebert, LPN]

I work in LTC, and a lab tech comes to draw on MWF. If we need a draw between those times we have to do it ourselves, so the facility sends LPNs to a 4-hour class to learn terminology and become familiar with the equipment. After that, we set up days with outpatient lab facilities and need 40 successful, lab-tech-supervised draws before we're allowed to touch a resident. Of course, if there's an RN in the facility, we're supposed to call them to draw...but I've been able to get blood when the RN couldn't. See what classes are available in your area and go from there.

[classykaren]

I am confused in Florida a Medical assistant can draw blood but not a LPN?

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I was a phlebotomist and CNA before becoming an LPN. I took the course at a vocational school about 15 years ago for $300. I am glad that I did it. They didn't teach this in LPN school, nor do they teach it in RN programs in my area. It has benefited me greatly, because I get called for many agency jobs because of my phlebotomy experience. I also did health fairs through my job where PSAs and cholesterol levels were drawn, and the interesting thing was that it is part of the Patient Care Associate job description, but, many of them have not utilized the skill, so, they got rusty...so, I have had consideration to work those health fairs due to that additional skill. I worked in Coumadin Clinic, where the phlebotomy was a major plus.

I really believe that if any nurse can find the class given at a reasonable price, they should take advantage. And, it is also very beneficial to take an EKG course...again, I would not pay a great deal of money, but for these days and times, every talent you accrue, the better it may be. And, I also think that anyone who wishes to enter an RN program would benefit from taking an EKG course BEFORE entering the nursing program because it is enough to already comprehend the cardiovascular system, but, learning those waves (which is a part of assessment that leads to intervention) can be a bit confusing under pressure.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I am confused in Florida a Medical assistant can draw blood but not a LPN?

Medical assistants work under the licensure of the physician. Therefore, they are permitted to draw blood, as they are performing this skill under the license of the doctor.

[OgopogoLPN, LPN, RN]

We can in my hospital with an extra course. But when the RNs and Lab Techs's make more than LPNs, the concensus is "why should we?"

Lab techs in BC make less than LPNs by about $3.00/hour (I think). It is a skill I would love to learn. But I know I would never have time to draw blood in my acute care roll. And I don't think many nurses do at my hospital. There are lab techs there 24/7 and if nurses started doing a lot of draws, it would take away the lab techs duties. I think the union would have a problem with this..........but that's a whole 'nother topic....

[nursel56]

In California we can draw blood. I was taught to do it in a physician's office I worked for years ago. Later, I took a course that added "Blood Withdrawal Certification" to my license.

Since most LVN courses have a lot of information packed into a short amount of time, and most facilities have other arrangements for blood draws, I don't think it needs to be a standard part of the curriculum. I would put learning how to do rhythm strips and IVs into that category, too.

[sasha2lady]

good question, i didnt understand why we werent taught it in school either but here where I live...neither are the RNs. Its mostly on the job training...thats how I learned how to draw blood. I hate drawing blood and I suck at starting IVs. Im way better at the blood drawing though since Ive had some practice in the past few years. I had thought of going to the phlebotomy program to learn it but when I found out that you have be stuck 50x....ohhhhhhhhhh no....no student is gonna stick me. the easiest blood Ive ever drawn has been from a picc line.......soooo easy to do.

[Tired nurse]

I have never started an IV or drawn blood as an LPN in LTC. It was never needed until hospitals started dumping people on us and greedy nursing homes already under staffed will take anybody. My supervisor actually had the nerve to tell me 40 residents was a manageable load for 1 LPN. Managers have no clue and still cannot understand why no one stays!