[BrokenRNheart]

Originally Posted by NursesRmofun

I have known some smart LPNs and BSNs, some dumb LPNs and BSNs, and also some smart ASNs and dumb ASNs...How about that? LOL

Exactly...as I said....responsible for our own knowledge, our own license and our own a**

[kizzykatlove]

i don't believe this will happen.... i am a RN , but i can tell you why this won't happen... first congress would need to pass a law to change the nurse practice acts for each the LPN and the RN and then each state would have to approve it .... i actually spoke to someone at my state board about this because i wondered if it was a good idea.. and they told me... no it probably wouldn't happen because the nurse practice acts are so diffrerent for RN's and LPN's. that isn't feasable at this time and to be a RN you must attend a degree program and take RN boards. that my state won't consider it ...... we don't have a nursing shortage in my state.... actually we have to alot of RN's and staff our hospital only with RN's and able to do so easily.

also dosen't calif have a program where you can work as a RN if you are a LPN? what is that called? is there other states that do that?

by the way i have nothing against LPN's i was one for over 20 years

[mustangqueen]

I personally think that this is a good idea. First off, excelsior college --my state connecticut does not accept this as a opportunity for LPNs to make the transition. In fact you have to take additional courses in the state of connecticut to even be considered to take the boards.
Also i found that many of the LPNs that go to through distance learning or excelsior college, hospitals wont even look at you because of experience issues even with RN behind your name. this is the honest to god truth. I feel it is very difficult to try to get your RN even through a bridge program because it will only get you out of nursing 101. belive me i have done my research. so ok.....let LPNs get the "education" the RNs so dearly want us to have. I am not knocking RNs at all mind you . But if u want education provide it give it to us. Make it a easier transition so we can do the job we are ment to do which is "taking care of people" I am not looking for a short cut by any means. I do feel that alot LPNs do function at a RN level, so give us that chance ... educate us

[Jules A]

Originally Posted by mustangqueen

But if u want education provide it give it to us. Make it a easier transition so we can do the job we are ment to do which is "taking care of people" I am not looking for a short cut by any means. I do feel that alot LPNs do function at a RN level, so give us that chance ... educate us

Hi and welcome!
I totally agree that most LPNs are capable of functioning at a RN level and many do almost the same job however it isn't our responsibility to educate you.

I did the LPN to ADN bridge program at a community college. I was actually accepted into 3 programs within an hour of my home. I did a short summer mini-mester and the last two semesters of the RN program. I continued working while in school and the total cost was under $4,000. I would be nearly certain that all states have a CC offering a bridge program so definitely check with yours. Mine couldn't have been easier or cheaper when I look at what I got in return. After I passed my RN boards I got a $15 an hour increase with very little difference in my job responsibilities.

Bottom line is that only you can find a program your BON recognizes, meet their requirements to get in and do the work to get your degree. Definitely start doing whatever necessary to get your RN if that is a goal you are interested in. Best of luck, Jules

[mustangqueen]

I feel mabe there can be some kind of transition course through a college or something in a classroom enviornment so LPNs can make a transition, some kind of testing before even sitting for the boards. That may be a good idea.

[tferdaise]

I think one of the biggest issues facing LPN's isn't the fact that we do not know what we are doing, but other schools looking at our transcripts and the class's in whch we took. Remember, 90% of LPNs went to a "tech" school. So in thier minds Tech schools are above High School and below Community College. I'm sorry if this offense anyon but its the truth. But it doesn't take away that we know what we are doing on the floor.

I'm currently at the Univeristy of Phoenix, they have a ground program LPN to BSN.

Now I agree with what you wrote that the hospitals needs to help the LPN's. Currently were I work, there are programs that help the CNA to get thier RN's and RN's to theri BSN's, but there are no programs to help the LPN to get thier RN/BSN's. I brought this up to our Director of Educations and I got hot air blown up my (you know what) regarding this. Last week we had a townhall meeting with the CEO and I brought it up to her, at the meeting there were 10 LPNs wanting to get thier BSNs. Im sure there will be a new program coming down the pipeline soon...

Originally Posted by BrokenRNheart

I believe they need to look at our LPN's for staffing and offer assistance for them to go from LPN to RN if they are going to be giving money away to people with NO nursing experience at all.

They need to assist our LPN's to an RN first!

If they can use accelerated bachelor's programs with people that have NO medical experience, then they can incorporate something for LPN's. If they are giving away funding, they should start with LPN's because they already have some experience.

Just as there are brand new grads that can pass boards and not cut it as a nurse, the LPN would be responsible for her own level of knowledge as well as her license. There are a lot of nurses out there that I wouldn't want taking care of my loved ones so just because they passed boards, doesn't mean they are ready.

I'm just thinking that if this "shortage" is such a crisis that they are willing to give away education.....then start with the cheapest and quickest and most available. Get LPN's to RN's.

[Kashia]

If an experienced (in acute care) LVN/LPN could sit and pass the
NCLEX-RN, how would you discern they are not ready to practice?

Isn't that the point of the NCLEX...to determine readiness to practice, knowledge, comprehension of material, critical thinking?

So, lets say a LVN passed this test. What is your rationale for determining they are not qualified? Fact not emotion here please.

This is how you actually got your RN, right? You passed NCLEX.

[suzanne4]

CA has the 30-unit option program, that is completed, and then they can sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. But that license that they get is not valid in any other state in the entire US. No degree is issued with it.

Other than CA and the VA that will permit a military corpsman to challenge the NCLEX-PN exam, there is no longer any way for the LPN to challenge the RN exam. Or for anyone else with any other training to challenge the nursing exams and most definitely no longer the RN exam. Even with years of experience, the rules have now been changed in every state to require the additional training an approved school of nursing before approval will be given to write the NCLEX-RN exam.

[Pipsqueak]

Originally Posted by Kashia

So, lets say a LVN passed this test. What is your rationale for determining they are not qualified? Fact not emotion here please.

This is how you actually got your RN, right? You passed NCLEX.

But taking the NCLEX is not how you obtain an RN degree. First you must attend an approved school. Learn the required curriculum, take tests on every course that is part of the curriculum, prove your competency thru clinical practice and testing, maintain a certain grade throughout the process to graduate, THEN you are eligible to take the NCLEX.

There is no way possible the NCLEX could cover everything your supposed to be learning in school, so in that respect I don't think the NCLEX alone can determine readiness to practice, knowledge, comprehension of material, and critical thinking. The whole process from start to finish is what determines all of those things.

I am not saying that the LPN needs to start over, obviously us LPN's have a very broad knowledge base. We should be able to skip the basics. We don't need to be tested on how to make a bed, how to do a bed bath, or how to give an injection, etc. Some of us work hard to educate ourselves and stay current. But the fact remains that we are not RN's, we did not receive the same education as an RN, and we need to be able to learn, or if you think you already know it, then prove what you know by attending and graduating from an approved school, then finally NCLEX.

[Kashia]

Originally Posted by Jolie

In many states, CNAs are required to complete a formal curriculum and pass a state certification exam, which, unlike NCLEX, includes demonstration of hands-on skills. Also, many states allow experienced CNAs to become certified in medication administration, and pass oral and topical meds under the supervision of licensed nurses. Considering this, some would argue that there is relatively little difference between the practice of an experienced med-certified CNA and an LPN/LVN.

Disclaimer: I am not saying I agree with this, because I don't, just like I don't support LPNs challenging RN boards without additional formal education. I am simply playing devil's advocate that what is considered for one category of healthcare provider should also be considered for another.

In California at least, experienced CNA's can , after meeting the requirements, challenge the LVN Nclex.