Comparison in the Role of a Licensed Vocational Nurse (lvn) and Psychiatric Technician (pt)

Licensed Vocational Nursedental offices. LVN’s/LPN’s may perform
The title “nurse” can refer to individualsspecific nursing skills and procedures under the
with varying degrees of education and licensure.supervision of an RN, NP, Physician Assistant (PA),
Job titles to which individuals may refer toPhysician (MD), or Dentist (DDS). They also may
themselves as “nurses” include thework collaboratively with RN’s, and are
following: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA),licensed to delegate to CNA’s or other
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) / Licensednon-licensed assistants. The LVN/LPN scope of
Practical Nurse (LPN), Registered Nurse (RN) ofpractice includes performance and documentation
Nurse Practitioner (NP). LVN’s and LPN’sof the following duties: basic patient care; vital
have the same training, licensure and scope ofsigns; data collection on all body systems; carrying
practice. The title Licensed Vocational Nurse isout wound care orders; preparing patients for
used only in California and Texas, while the titlediagnostic testing, including collection of urine,
Licensed Practical Nurse is used throughout thesputum, and fecal specimens; insertion and care
rest of the United States. The job title used inof urinary catheters; insertion and care of
Australia and New Zealand is Enrolled Nurse, whilenaso-gastric tubes; and administration of
in the United Kingdom the job title is Statemedications, except intravenous medication (IV).
Enrolled Nurse. In the United States, it isIn order to draw blood, or to initiate or administer
compulsory for a prospective LVN/LPN to haveIV medications, LVN’s/LPN’s must pass
completed high school. Internationally, the scope ofan additional post-licensure IV certification course.
practice and title of the LVN/LPN may vary,Even with successful passage of an IV
depending upon country-specific criteria.certification course, LVN’s/LPN’s may not
LVN’s/LPN’s work in hospitals, clinicsadminister IV push medications. IV push
(pediatric, geriatric, women’s health,medications are under the scope of practice of
psychiatric) as well as skilled nursing facilities,the RN.
assisted living facilities, correctional facilities and