Can I challenge the RN boards?

gerry79 · Mar 7, 2005

California used to allow military Hospital Corpsman who graduated from the Independent Duty Hospital Corpsman School challenge the RN Boards. That stopped in 2001, and to my knowledge they can still challenge the LPN boards.

mattsmom81 · Mar 7, 2005

I assure you...if you have military corpsmen, LPN, or paramedic experience you can CURRENTLY challenge the RN board in West Virginia. I have the packet on my desk at home.
Former military? Interested?
Email me:
Steven King
[email protected]

Wow. I am totally amazed. OK LPN's...start the stampede to West Virginia.

stevenking, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2005

Wow. I am totally amazed. OK LPN's...start the stampede to West Virginia.

For those who "might" be interested - and before - the stampede begins ...

you usually have to be at least a 91C20 [yes...the nomenclature for this has changed to 91WM6] or higher before WV will "sign off" on this loophole. Make sure...you check with any states that allow reciprocity to WV - you might not be covered under this plan.

Why do it? You can work in a federally with a license from *any* state.

Clear as mud?

Email me for specifics:

Steven King

The [email protected]

gerry79 · Mar 7, 2005

From the WV BON website. Wow, a shortcut to becoming an RN. I am a Coast Guard graduate of the Navy Independant Duty Corpsman School (CG uses the Navy school, most intense educational experience to date! 2000 grad), and am currently in nursing school now, and although I think that I could pass the NCLEX (most of my IDC school instructors passed the Cali NCLEX), I know that I dont posses the necessary skills to work as an RN. For anyone who chooses this route, I hope that you are prepared to function as an RN.

3.1.d. In lieu of the educational qualifications specified in subdivision 3.1.c. of this

rule, an applicant qualifying under W. Va. Code 30-24-1 et seq. shall meet the following requirements:

3.1.d.1. An applicant shall have served on active duty in the medical corps of any of the armed forces of the United States and shall have successfully completed the course of instruction required to qualify her or him for rating as a medical specialist advanced, medical service technician or advanced hospital corpsman technician, or other equivalent rating in her or his particular branch of the armed forces;

3.1.d.2. The applicant shall be honorably discharged from military service

stevenking, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2005

...I know that I dont posses the necessary skills to work as an RN. For anyone who chooses this route, I hope that you are prepared to function as an RN.

Having served as an LPN in a military MICU/SICU for nearly five years, I believe I could step into the role of an RN tomorrow. In the Army, our scope of practice is "different" due to our *possible* role as the "only" healthcare provider in a combat theater. Before this seems overly crass, please understand that I have my BA in a different field and have attained an MBA in Healthcare Management - my pursuit of an RN credential is merely a means to an end...I have full intention on returning to school to attain my BSN (how much sweeter would coursework be without the dreaded: "will I pass the NCLEX" question hanging over one's head?). Furthermore, in the US Army, there are only two things which LPN's can not do: IVP medication and "starting" blood. Now I can draw up IVP meds and I can spike blood, run it all the way to the patient, but I *need* an RN to press "start".

I have discovered via moonlighting in GA and SC that "scope of practice" is a living entity in most facilities (For example, interns/residents at a hospital in SC did not *desire* to do A-lines anymore so the RT's *scope* was altered to include inserting A-lines into patients. Disclaimer: I have NO idea if this is permissible as a general rule for respiratory therapists.). Similarly, some hospitals in Georgia have instituted an LPN II category, which can (take a guess) do IVP medication after "certification".

Furthermore, I feel that I can function in the role of an RN since I have attained ACLS (instructor), PALS (instructor), TNCC, ABLS, BTLS, and EMT-B certification.

Dear moderator...please allow this post to serve as introduction to allnurses.com, as well.

Affectionately,

The Kingster

gerry79 · Mar 8, 2005

Kingster, I do understand the scope of practice in the military can be much different than in the civilian sector. I have, and continue to, provide care in the Coast Guard that only a PA/NP or Physician would be allowed to perform in the civilain sector. You are correct in that my Navy training was provided so that I could work independently of a doctor. I guess since litigation is pretty much a non issue when dealing with active duty members, the goverment is taking the "cheap" way out by training unlicensed personnel, and allowing a wide scope of practice (at least in the Coast Guard). The sad part is that all of my training amounts to little if nothing in the civilian world. I guess that is a way for the military to insuring retention. Provide just enough training to get the job done, but not enough to allow the person to become licensed in the civilian sector.

RN34TX · Mar 8, 2005

I plan to challenge the RN board in West Virginia, next year. However, I might return to college via Indiana State University - they have an LPN to BSN program that allows clinical competency to be determined via local preceptor. So..."sniff, sniff" - I am thinking that the days of the Excelsior "cram and get it" on a two-day test are gone.
Steven King

I can assure you that they are not yet gone in most states. Only IL, which has always been the case, and now only recently CA and KS, even though they allowed their graduates to be RN's since 1972.

And I'm not trying to start anything, but I only wish it was a "2 day cram and get it" as you described.

Not quite that simple and easy.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Mar 8, 2005

kingster is correct that certain military training can be used in lieu of rn education program.

west va law: http://www.wvsos.com/csrdocs/worddocs/19-03.doc

also includes following provisions:

3.2.c.1.e.1. copies of certificates of completion for military education; and

3.2.c.1.e.2. course outlines for military education documenting nursing science content in the training program

6.3. in the event an applicant fails the licensure examination two times, he or she may petition the board for permission to repeat the licensure examination. the board may deny approval for an applicant to repeat an examination after two failures if more than two years has lapsed since the applicant graduated from a nursing education program. in addition, the board may deny approval to repeat the examination after two failures if the applicant cannot show in the petition to repeat the examination more than two times that any further education has been taken by the applicant to correct deficiencies in his or her nursing knowledge.

--------------

west va law does not state that lpn's can petition to challenge rn exam.

ny state permits some military healthcare training in lieu of education program for lpn licensure.

http://www.op.nysed.gov/nursing.htm#educ

stevenking, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2005

Kingster is correct that certain military training can be used in lieu of RN education program.

Yes, military healthcare practitioners - e.g. Army LPN, Navy Corpsmen, etc. - can challenge the RN Board in WV. This statement "in no way" implies that ALL LPN's can petition the RN Board to take the NCLEX in WV.

Oh, and I am not an "Excelsior hater"...I have taken many of the EC exams since that was the pathway I was "on," as well. I only meant that with more and more colleges embracing an LPN to BSN type option (where clinicals are completed LOCALLY) will encourage more students to go that route.

But, if not - hey, it's a free country.

The Kingster

stevenking, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2005

The sad part is that all of my training amounts to little if nothing in the civilian world. I guess that is a way of the military insuring retention. Provide just enough training to get the job done, but not enough to allow the person to become licensed in the civilian sector.

Gerry,

I think you've hit the nail right on the proverbial head. The Army limits it's healthcare workers in the same fashion (and I'm sure it's all about retention). If I planned to stay on active duty - I would elect to do the Army's AECP (AMEDD Enlisted Commissioning Program) - which allows people to return to college to pick up a BSN (assuming certain prerequisites are met, of course) - entirely on the Army's dime (full time salary for full time education) - and then you get to give them three years. (Methinks a few trips to "hotter" places in the world is not worth it - especially since I am a single father...).

I have mentally written the Medical Command of the US Army many times to eliminate the LPN program altogether and instead institute an ADN program. Keep enlisted soldiers as RN's (two year) and if you want to finish a BSN, then you can become an offier in the Army Nurse Corps. That would effectively eliminate our scope of practice issues and would be an incredible boon to recruitment.

But alas...who knows?

The Kingster

mattsmom81 · Mar 8, 2005

Kingster is correct that certain military training can be used in lieu of RN education program.
West VA law DOES NOT STATE that LPN's can petition to challenge RN exam.]

Thanks Karen...I didn't think it would be 'as easy' as all LPN's simply heading to WV to challenge trhe NCLEX RN.

rajuncajun · Mar 16, 2005

The only state which I have confirmed that allows an LPN to challenge the RN board is West Virginia - and WV only allows former "military" LPN's to do this.
If they allow it in March 2006, that's what I'll be doing!
Steven King
[email protected]

hey Kingster,

I am currently on active duty working in an icu at a military hospital. My ncoic, another sgt I work with and I would like to find out how to challenge the boards for our RN. I've heard rumors about challenging tha Cali. boards, but I spoke with the state yesterday and they had no idea what i was talking about. You know for sure that military lpns can challenge the W.V. state board? If so how do i do it? Is it as easy as contacting them and telling them what I would like to do or will it take an act of congress to get this done? Thanks in advance for any advice you are able to give us.

This we'll defend!

SPC. G

United States Army