BVNPT
As a professional group, the ACDVNP maintains correspondence with the
Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT). The
BVNPT is the legal authority that represents the Nurse Practice Act of
Vocational Nurses in California. It also represents Psychiatric
Technicians, a group with similar but separate regulations. Interagency
communication also occurs between the SCDVNP and other organizations
with similar interests, such as the California Vocational Nurse
Educators (CVNE).
Whenever there are common issues, relating to Directors of Vocational
Nursing Programs, instructors, or students, a letter representing the
entire membership is sent to the Senior Nurse Education Consultant of
the BVNPT in Sacramento. A letter from a professional group, such as the
SCDVNP, relays messages as a harmonic chorus rather than as an
individual's solo concern. A chorus can often be heard above any single
individual's voice.
The BVNPT Website
The BVNPT has a quality website that provides a generous amount of
information. All Directors and Instructors of any Vocational Nursing
Program will find answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs),
initiating and maintaining Programs, faculty and facility requirements,
and many other useful topics.
Vocational Nursing Students will find information on licensing fees
and disciplinary actions, as well as the entire VN Nurse Practice Act.
Additionally, information for the general public is provided. A list of
all Vocational Nursing Programs in the state of California is provided.
It is required by the BVNPT that pass rates of individual Vocational
Nursing Programs be available to any individual. Pass rates for
individual programs are available on the BVNPT's website. Directors and
college academic counselors may find it very useful to have easy access
to the location and pass rates of Vocational Nursing Programs.
Comparisons can be developed from the large variety of community
colleges and proprietary (privately funded) schools in this state.
Summary of BVNPT Website
The BVNPT website includes access to information such as:
- General Information
- California Vocational Nurse Practice Act
- Consumer Information
- Fee Schedule
- Education*
- Enforcement
- Forms and Publications
BVNPT *Education Link
The "Featured Link" section of the BVNPT's Education page provides
information about initiating a new
Vocational Nursing Program. The
easily accessible information to individual colleges and Vocational
Nursing Programs is very helpful to individuals who need program
information that is specific or regional.
Items of Interest
Cerro Coso Community College Hosts Seminar
Mammoth Lakes Campus, Summer 2005
Education, Nursing, and Technology
Nursing education is changing. Arising from a background
of confined classroom lectures and hospital-based
clinical experiences, nursing education has been a
cornerstone of traditional education...Read
more
Scope of Practice refers to the legal mandates of
nursing practice in California.
Responsibilities
|
LVN Scope of Practice
|
RN Scope of Practice
|
Comments
|
|
Bedside Nursing |
Acute Care Facilities
Provide direct patient care in units such as
medical, surgical, maternity, newborn, pediatric,
intensive care, emergency |
Yes
According to physicians' orders |
Yes
According to physicians' orders |
Bedside care includes all aspects of
activities of daily living (ADL). |
Long-term Care Facilities
Provide direct resident/ patient care in units such
as medical, post surgical, rehabilitation,
Alzheimer’s, hospice, home care |
Yes
According to physicians' orders |
Yes
According to physicians' orders |
Bedside care includes all aspects of
activities of daily living (ADL). |
Assessments
Monitor vital signs, physical and mental status, and
diagnostic laboratory values |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Treatments
Administer treatments, for example: sterile wound
care, blood sugar testing, nasogastric insertion,
tube feedings, foley catheter insertion, and
charting. |
Yes
According to physicians' orders |
Yes
According to physicians' orders |
Either the LVN or the RN provides
treatments. Some facilities may require special
“in-house” training for the LVN or the RN for
complex procedures |
|
Medication Administration According to Physician's
Orders |
| Oral, topical, and inhalants |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Injections
Intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intradermal |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Intravenous Fluids
Start and superimpose intravenous fluids with
vitamins, nutrients, and electrolytes by primary or
secondary infusion lines |
Yes
With IV Certification |
Yes |
LVNs can take an approved
course to become certified in IV therapy and blood
withdrawal post
licensure.
RNs receive IV therapy and
blood withdrawal as part of their curriculum. |
Intravenous Blood
Infuse blood and blood products |
Yes
With IV Certification |
Yes |
Intravenous Flush
Flush peripheral IV insertion site with heparin or
saline |
Yes
With IV Certification |
Yes |
|
Intravenous Medications
Infuse antibiotics, or other medications via
secondary IV line |
No* |
Yes |
Effective July 14, 2005, LVNs cannot
perform this function in hemodialysis, pheresis or
blood bank settings. |
Intravenous Fluids
Infuse TPN or other fluids by central line |
No |
Yes |
|
Blood withdrawal
Via venipuncture or peripheral line |
Yes
With Blood Withdrawal Certification |
Yes |
|
Intravenous Fluids
Central Lines: dressing change |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Intravenous Fluids
Central Lines: blood withdrawal |
No |
Yes |
RNs may need to obtain facility
training and approval for this procedure |
|
Critical Thinking / Nursing Process |
Initiate Basic Data Collection
and Assessment
Obtain an admission history (interview) |
Yes
Work within physician and RN orders; communicate
with healthcare team members; act as supervisor to
unlicensed personnel |
Yes
Work within physician orders; communicate with
healthcare team members; act as supervisor to LVNs,
and unlicensed personnel |
The RN is responsible
for the initiation of a Care Plan. Either the
RN or the LVN may do the initial admission interview
and obtain the admission history. The RN is
responsible for the analysis and synthesis of data.
In clinical situations, especially long-term care,
the LVN does the primary interviews, obtains data,
and assesses needs of the patient. All licensed
nurses care for patients, communicate with others,
contribute to the nursing process, and provide
teaching to patients and family members. |
| Initiate a Care Plan |
No |
Yes |
Initiate Interventions
Take action to assist patient |
Yes
As designated within the Care Plan, physician
orders, and VN Scope of Practice |
Yes
As designated within the Care Plan, physician
orders, and RN Scope of Practice |
Provide new interventions
Use new information and adjust actions to meet
changing needs of patient |
Yes
As designated within the Care Plan, physician
orders, and VN Scope of Practice |
Yes
As designated within the Care Plan, physician
orders, and RN Scope of Practice |
Evaluate
Modify actions according to patient need and Care
Plan |
Yes |
Yes |
| Document, Communicate and Teach |
Yes |
Yes |
| For
further information about the California Nurse
Practice Acts for LVNs or RNs see their websites:
|
|
|
