Practice - Licensed Vocational Nurse Scope of Practice

The Texas Nursing Practice Act (NPA) and the Board’s Rules and Regulations define the legal scope of practice for licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). The LVN scope of practice is a directed scope of practice and requires appropriate supervision of a registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, physician, dentist, or podiatrist. The LVN, with a focus on patient safety, is required to function within the parameters of the legal scope of practice and in accordance with the federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and policies, procedures, and guidelines of the employing health care institution or practice setting. The LVN is responsible for providing safe, compassionate, and focused nursing care to assigned patients with predictable health care needs.

Educational Requirements:

Texas Board of Nursing (2010), Differentiated Essential Competencies (DECs) of graduates of Texas Nursing Programs.

Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 301

• Nursing Practice Act (NPA) Section 301.002 (5), Definitions
• Nursing Practice Act (NPA) Section 301.353, Supervision of Vocational Nurse

Rule 217.11 - Standards of Nursing Practice

Scope of Practice Position Statements:  

• Position Statement 15.27 The Licensed Vocational Nurse Scope of Practice
  Web version for viewing
• Position Statement 15.14 - Duty of a Nurse in any Practice Setting Web version for viewing
• Position Statement 15.14 - Duty of a Nurse - DADS QMP poster
• Position Statement 15.2 - Role of the Licensed Vocational Nurse in the Pronouncement of Death
• Position Statement 15.3 - LVNs Engaging in IV Therapy, Venipuncture, or PICC Lines
• Position Statement 15.25 - Administration of Medication & Treatments by LVNs

Note: For the complete list of position statements, click here.

Scope of Practice Decision-Making Model (DMM)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to LVN SOP include but not limited to:

• Co-signature on Documentation relating to Graduate Nurses and Graduate Vocational Nurses
• Co-signature on LVN Actions/Documentation
• GNs, GVNs, and Newly Licensed Nurses Practicing in Home Health Settings
• Initiation of CPR - A Nurse's Duty
• List of Tasks a Nurse Can/Cannot Perform
• LVN's Performing Triage/Telephonic Nursing/Being On-Call
• LVN's Performing Initial Assessments
• LVN's and Nursing Care Plans
• LVN's "Supervision of Practice"
• Practice of Nursing
• Practice Recommendations for Newly Licensed Nurses
• FAQ - Regarding Position Statements 15.27, The LVN Scope of Practice and 15.28, The RN Scope of Practice
• Staffing Ratios
• Volunteer Retired Nurse Authorization
• When does a Nurse's Duty to a Patient Begin and End

Note: For the complete list of nursing practice FAQs, click here.