Studying for and completing your LPN qualification is great, but that is not where you should stop. There are many specializations and courses that one can do in order to elevate your position, get better jobs and earn more. Licensed Practical Nurses with LPN IV Certification can earn as much as up to double the pay.
What Exactly Is LPN IV Certification?
LPN IV Certification is an additional qualification that a licensed practical nurse can obtain by attending a course on intravenous therapy. The additional knowledge gained by attending LPN IV certification classes will expand your professional skills and once you have successfully completed the course you can apply for certification through one of the professional nursing associations.
IV certificate programs offer study topics such as refresher courses in health care laws and anatomy and physiology. Students will also be taught practical approaches to IV therapy preparation and administration.
In order to study for your LPN IV Certification you must be a Licensed Practical Nurse with a current license. Obtaining this supplemental certificate will increase your salary.
IV Certification courses are comprised of pre-study coursework, practical training using practice dummies or mannequins and didactic sessions on the following:
- Blood and plasma
- Central line use
- Electrolytes
- Infection control
- Medication administration
- Patient assessment
- TPN therapy
Why Should I Get LPN IV Certification?
There are various reasons why it makes sense to obtain LPN IV Certification:
- IV therapy certificate programs generally qualify as continuing education credits toward licensing.
- Attending LPN IV certification classes and getting certified will allow you to find professional work in the following disciplines:
- Home care infusion specialist
- Intensive care nursing
- Nurse anesthetists
- Oncology nursing
- Renal dialysis nurse practitioner
- This certification will add variety to your daily routine
- It will expand your horizons in the medical field, thereby adding to your income and opening up many job opportunities.
- An LPN entering an Associate Degree program is required to have their LPN IV Certification.
How Do I Get My LPN IV Certification?
There are various ways in which you can obtain your IV Certification, depending on your circumstances and where you practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse. In order to get your certification in intravenous therapy you will need to be in possession of a clean, current and unendorsed Licensed Practical Nurse license which is valid for the state in which you intend practicing.
In order to be eligible to apply for certification in IV Therapy you will need to complete a course or program in intravenous therapy methods. This type of course will prepare you to perform intravenous blood collection, and the administration of fluids, blood and medicine directly into a vein through a needle. Attendees generally need to complete a course of self-study; this may include an examination prior to the course.
In order to ascertain the requirements for your state, you can do some research on the internet.
Where Can I Get My LPN IV Certification?
Each state has its own regulations regarding the authorization of LPNs to conduct intravenous therapy.
Most states require that the LPN complete a training course consisting of theoretical and practical study prior to obtaining certification. The length of the courses can also differ but are generally approximately one to two days in duration.
Employers often offer LPN IV certification classes or sponsor the individual.
NAPNES certifies all LPN’s regardless of the state in which they reside. Certification can be done in the comfort of your own home and it is valid for 5 years.
What Courses Must I Do To Get My LPN IV Certification?
The courses are generally developed to meet the individual state nursing standards. These standards could include regulations regarding what type of IV therapy LPNs may provide, and in what settings they may administer IV therapy. Some states for instance, will only allow LPNs to administer IV therapy in hospitals, but not in home-care settings.
Independent Study Format
This is a sixty-hour, full IV Certification course which will prepare you to perform intravenous
therapy and venous blood collection through peripheral and central venous catheters. You will be given the knowledge, skill and competencies to safely perform intravenous therapy in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act.
These courses have been written with the practicing LPN in mind so that he or she can continue to work whilst obtaining the certification in their own time and at their own pace. This program demands only one day of laboratory instruction and practice, and the remainder of the course can be completed at your own facility in your own time.
In order to be enrolled in this program you must be in possession of a current LPN license in good standing for the state in which you work. A current and valid Compact Multi-state Licensed Practical Nurse license in good standing and without discipline will also allow you to enroll for this course.
Course Breakdown
| Total | 60 Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 44 Hours |
| Laboratory Instruction & Practicum | 8 Hours |
| Clinical with Preceptor | 8 Hours |
Independent Study
Independent study modules will be mailed to you once you have completed registration and payment requirements.
You are required to study the course notes and complete the written tests. During this time you will also be required to organise a qualified preceptor at the institute at which you are going to perform the clinical portion of your course.
You will be given three months within which to complete this section of the program.
Laboratory Instruction/Practice
Once you have completed and submitted the self-study modules and quizzes, and arranged for a preceptor, you will be required to register for a laboratory instruction day.
During the practical portion of this course, at lab practice day, you will be taught how to perform the following tasks via discussion and demonstration:
- Antibiotic administration via gravity, IVPB and by direct injection
- Blood collection from CVADs
- Blood collection from peripheral veins
- CVAD identification
- CVAD dressing change procedure
- Discontinuing PIV catheters
- Equipment used in IV hydration
- Monitoring of PIV sites
- PIV insertion techniques
You will be mentored throughout the day and will have ample time in which to practice each of these new skills on mannequins that will be provided.
Clinical Skills Validation
Once you have successfully completed your written and lab practice you will be required to complete a skills validation check off with the preceptor(s) that you previously arranged. Once you have successfully demonstrated knowledge in the above skills and the preceptor has signed off on it you will need to mail the validation skills check to whoever is offering the course.
Skills that are required to be validated with qualified preceptor:
- Administration of pre-mixed antibiotics via a venous access device to a patient
- Blood collection from a central venous access device
- Discontinuation of peripheral short devices
- Documentation of nursing observations and actions
- Flushes into venous access devices that are designed to maintain a patient’s venous patency. Initiation and monitoring of intravenous fluid administration through peripheral and central venous access devices
- Peripheral IV starts on patients
- Peripheral venous blood sampling on patients
- Sterile dressing changes on central venous access devices
- Utilization of IV pumps
Once all of these steps have taken place you will be signed off for the clinical portion of the course too. Now that you have successfully completed the LPN IV Certification program you will receive your certificate.
LPN IV Certification Classes
There are other courses that are offered by various institutions which last for one or two days, and yet others that are only 20 hours long:
- The National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses offers an IV Therapy and Gerontology certification.
- The Infusion Nurses Society’s Certification Corporation offers an Infusion credential.
- The State Nursing Board in each state also offers LPN IV Certification programs
You will also be able to find various other programs in your state by doing some research online. Some programs will be campus oriented and offer practical experience at a nearby healthcare facility with which they have a good relationship whilst others may be a combination of online classes and clinical practice in a facility near to you.
The curriculum for the LPN IV Certification course will include thorough instruction on correct IV techniques through practical laboratory work, supervised clinical work experience, and demonstrations.
Specific classes will be given in:
- A review of the human body structure and functions
- Central access techniques and central line care in IV therapy
- IV therapies for the control of specific diseases
- IV solution chemical make-ups
- Laws and regulations of health care
- Peripheral access techniques in IV therapy
- Preparation of the IV and vein selection
- Side effects and complications of IV therapy
- The importance of electrolytes and fluids
- Venipuncture techniques
LPN IV Certification Renewal
LPN IV Certification must be renewed every five years. In order to renew your IV Certification you will need to complete a board approved LPN IV Refresher course or provide proof of 10 contact hours of continuing education related to IV therapy.
Any LPN whose IV certification has lapsed cannot perform IV therapy until they renew their LPN IV certification. You will have up to 2 years in which to renew your IV Certification by completing 10 CEs related to IV Therapy or by successfully completing a board approved IV refresher course and submitting proof to the WSBN.
Continuing Education
In order to meet the renewal requirements for the of your LPN licensure you must meet the continuing education component of 5 contact-hours of continuing education.
LPN IV Certification is accepted for continuing education credits. Proof of course completion and certification must be submitted in order for the credits to be allocated.
