LPN Petition to Take RN Boards

Even within the same state, schools are requiring different criteria to graduate from their programs. Some Associate Degree RN programs require chemistry, others do not, even within the same CUNY (community college) system.

I graduated from a community college that initiated their first LPN to RN bridge program. I was in the first LPN program they had. We take most of the same pre-requisite courses the RNs took, minus Biological Chemistry, ENG 102 and microbiology. I was just reading my friend's information and now, I see that those that transitioned to the bridge program are no longer required to take BioChem, but can take Introduction to Chemistry. Now, what is the difference?? None, from what I see. But, if a student decides to apply for the RN program from the jump has to take BioChem, the bridge students get to take Introduction to CHemistry, which I assume would be an easier class, but they BOTH will be practicing RNs once they pass NCLEX?? I don't understand it... Reasons like this make me say that I really hated school...they are not consistent in their requirements.

I've heard this before, and I gotta admit, it just blows my mind. Even though CNA's are taught and can do many tasks, they really are not taught any theory behind why some of these tasks need to be done. And yet California will not accept Excelsior College LPN to RN graduates even though many are experienced nurses, and it is a difficult program with all the required curriculum. Seems kinda hippocrital to me.

And to all the states that do not accept or have restrictions on Excelsior graduates, I really cannot see them permitting LPN's to just challenge the RN NCLEX without the appropriate schooling.

Like others have said its not just about NCLEX. Call me silly but I feel very confident that I could have passed NCLEX with 3 months worth of independent study and my Saunders book before I ever set foot in a nursing class. Does that mean I would be even remotely competent? Heck no.

I have no desire to wade thru the CA BON website, so I'll take your word for this, unlikely as it sounds. Couple this with the OP's proposition that experienced LPNs be allowed to challenge RN boards, and we create the situation where it would be possible for someone with no more than formal CNA education to become a registered nurse. Absurd, don't you agree?

The inconsistences of nursing education is one of the things that made me hate school with an uncontrollable passion.


What is insane to me regarding scopes of practice is that they have ridiculous policies. For example: Most LPNs cannot perform IV push medications (or are limited to what meds can be pushed), or interfere with central lines. Yes, it is true, the RN is trained for these procedures, however, in reality, what difference would it make WHO did it...meaning that if I, as a human being pushes a drug versus an RN, will the fact that she pushed it automatically stop the process of what is happening because it is a direct hit into the vein? No...but the difference would be that the RN would be better trained to further intervene. Another insane example is that in my hospital, LPNs cannot administer flu or pneumococcal vaccines unless they are screened by an RN first. They ask if the patient has allergies, when was the last time they had a vaccine, and then, is is appropriate to administer, then, they can permit us to do it. While I know that any vaccine (or medication) has the potential for adverse or unexpected reactions, it is relatively lower for flu and pneumonia vaccinations. Basically, it is saying that it is not enough that a doctor ordered these vaccinations...I have to then tell the doctor that I cannot administer them independently because I am not an RN...essentially, I need permission from two people; the doctor (who is supposed to know more) and an RN. And, I have had RNs say that they don't want to screen them for a few silly reasons (such as, it has not been exactly five years since his last one-it is 4 years and 11 months-yes, this has happened, folks).

Meanwhile, when I am working on med-surg, I can hang potassium or magnesium piggies, which are prone to unexpected intervention. I would say that I would only want an RN to hang these medications, if the chance is high that something can happen that needed an RN assessment-intervention. Then, to know that one state will allow a '30 unit option' for a CNA to become an LPN demonstrates that the educational system and requirements are very lax.

I am not an RN basher. I want to support them every way possible, because I am a team player, and I am also a nurse. But, from seeing that so much of this is really so contradictory, I don't want to aggreviate myself with more problems than I already have, and I don't feel like playing their games.

I hear ya but my thoughts are that you are already being forced to play the games my dear Pagandeva2000. We all are really. So join me and have more job flexibility and more money for doing pretty close to exactly the same job you do so skillfully already.

Nah, I pass, but I will join you for coffee!

Hm. For once I didn't read all the replies. I did read the article in the paper version however. I found some parts of it to be a bit too condescending for my taste. Basically my disagreement is over experience versus formal education.

I do believe that learning occurs during work time when experience is gained. It's just that it is difficult to quantify it, it doesn't directly translate into educational credits. Also, while one is working their butt off say, to support a family, pay for a house, etc. they may not have time for school. Online programs can be just as expensive if not more so than college.

Anyone who meets a goal "the hard way" puts some value on the result due to all the hard work that went into it. This doesn't mean other people put the same value on it. I guess I don't understand why other nurses don't come across as valuing an LPN's experience? I do understand regulatory bodies and legislators not knowing their heads from a hole in the ground, but it makes no sense to me that RN's seem to have a lackluster approach to the argument. All nurses are put in the position of having to make decisions, we all occasionally have to assess our patients whether the paperwork says we do or not, and every other department in the hospital would gladly pin the blame on each and every one of our behinds.

Rural hospitals take it further and you're lucky if some of them have more than 1 or 2 RN's in the building at night. That LPN who works OB and has 20 years experience can deliver babies standing on her head; the RN supervising knows it, and gladly just fills out the paperwork. Our sup one night went off muttering "off to OB now, gotta figure out what a dubowitz is..."

I'm rambling, better get back to the topic.

Basically I think the reason suggestions like this cause a bit of a stir is that there are those out there who are afraid if they allow it, LPN's will pass the NCLEX-RN, and then what can of worms have we opened? Oh my. /sarcasm off.

Yes but we all have these things in our lives and if we want to further our education in the form of a degree we need to find time/money to do it.

I absolutely do value the experience of LPNs. I was one however I don't think being one negates the value of more formal education even if it is simply putting in the time. However if someone wants to let me take a test and get my MSN based on my work history I might be pursuaded to change my mind. Unfortunately in our society formal education is the name of the game, not saying its fair just that it is.

I can only speak for myself. I'm a LPN. I went to nursing school for BSN (in AL). Did the whole four years, got to the last year and you have to pass this exit exam (HESI) in order to get degree and do it in limited tries. Well, unfortunately, myself and 5 others were not able to pass and are without a degree.

That was 2006. Some of them have given up, went other careers, and some, like myself, are still fighting for it. And it's not that we were terrible students, most had 3.0 and above. We truly believe that if we sat for the RN boards we would've passed. But b/c our school was covering their butts (protecting accredidation), instead of making sure they put out RNs, 6 out of 11 (small school), walked away with no nursing degree (now they let us get another degree--health science, but not the same).

So, I went back home (SC), and challenged the LPN boards by equivalency (meaning they needed all my syllabus from my former nursing classes-that was no easy task, lol, and my transcript to prove i took those classes; ) and I pass the boards.

Now,I can understand why those who are RNs feel that LPNs shouldn't take RN boards just b/c they have the experience. I went to RN school and now a LPN...it's not the same, 20 years exp. or not.

Now what about those who went for their BSN, have the transcript to prove they took and pass those classes, but b/c of their school's policy's weren't able to pass the exit to obatin the degree?

I'm now trying to do an acclerated BSN program in my hometown and hope to get in the program. I'm also trying to utilize the health science degree from former school and get a masters in health services or hospital admin.
Now everything that happend may have slowed me down, but it won't get me down. I'm determined. You guys have a good day.