Military medic challenging the LPN/LVN board?

libran1984, ASN, RN · May 9, 2013

If its California you're talking about, by George, anything is possible with that state and its board! I mean, if a CNA can challenge with 5 years of experience, why not, right?

In other states, definitely not. There is a very heavy focus on chronic disease management, self-perception, value-belief training, nutrition, and other metabolic needs beyond the curriculum of a medic.

Now, you may say you cover much of those very topics in medic school. As an LPN (an ER LPN for that matter) I can counter and say, I too covered EKG rhythm interpretation in my PN program. Yet, let's be honest. A medic's understanding far outstrips the average LPNs knowledge for cardiac rhythms.

Similarly, a medic will generally outstrip the LPN in terms of trauma and temporary stabilization of an unstable patient.

I feel it is purely apples and oranges. Not similar enough to challenge each other.

However, I repeat, that if you are talking of California.... You very well might be able to do as u wish.

Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B · May 9, 2013

So someone who is both an EMT B and an LPN I can tell you they are completely different schools of thought and practice. It is folly to believe that one is equivalant to another.

Rose2013 · May 9, 2013

I work at a military hospital and most of the LPNs that I work with were medics first who challenged the board. Probably 90% of them.

adambreannejones · May 10, 2013

Big al... I agree with you but EMTB is not my only certification, I have a medical technician certification as well with 9 years of hospital experience behind that (ED3years ICU1year Surgical2years PACU2years ASF1year). I wasn't saying they are equivalant witch is why there is a test to make sure you meet the standard. My question is simply where do I start? I am hoping to run into someone that has already done this and has a good contact. I probably will do the paramedic/nursing bridge program offered at my colleage after medic school. This was just another idea I wanted to check into. The paramedic program that I am currently attending is a graduate program. All the prerequisites that I attended for medic school apply to nursing programs. I am short pathophysiology and microbiology....

mandilynn · Apr 14, 2014

I just challenged the board. If you are still interested in some information I can help. I was a 4N071 when I got out last March 2013.- Mandi

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Apr 14, 2014

There are some positions in a hospital ER that are that of a Medic. Currently, there are not a whole lot of ER or ICU positions for LPNs--especially as a new grad of both, regardless of your past experience. If you are a medic, you can bridge to RN, just the same as if you are an LPN, who can also bridge to an RN. I am not sure what you would do with an LPN, when perhaps that time could be spent doing a bridge to a BSN.

I am both an LPN and an EMT-B. They are like apples and strawberries--they are both fruit, they are both red, but are entirely different in taste. Because of the cardiac and other trauma practices of a paramedic, many go on to PA school at a graduate level.

Unfortunetely, even seasoned LPN's who worked ER's for years (myself included) have had their scope cut to that of a technician as opposed to an LPN. ICU's have grandfathered a number of LPN's, however, the same does apply in the current nursing climate.

However, if the decision is to go the LPN route, I would look at the board of nursing website in the state that you are living. It usually has information on who can challenge the NCLEX-PN. I would, however, look through some of the testing books on the NCLEX. I found the test to be very challenging. As the EMT-B, EMT-P, National--whatever you are testing in has a lot to do with protocol, the NCLEX-PN is an entirely different type of test. So be sure this is something that you could do. The thought process is entirely different between that of a Medic and that of an LPN--so the "2 are right answers, but one is more right" one may be right if one is a medic, but not so much if one is an LPN. Just be mindful and look at the testing books first.

Best of luck!