Anyone here in an RN program eligible for LPN boards?

[Mandarella]

I am now eligible and waiting for the response card to take my NCLEX.

How do your schools/place of employment do it? My hospital will not let an LPN work without a permit in had, but will let an RN work without it until it comes in the mail. Has anyone ever heard of that before? Just wondering what the difference would be. I couldn't seem to get an answer, our state law says that you may practice as long as you have sent your requirements in.

[NurseyTee]

I've never heard of that before. You can't practice without a license in hand, otherwise you're just a graduate. You must show proficiency through the NCLEX exam and those results are available online within a day or so, THEN you can practice. Employers can look the results up on the web and at that point you are a licensed nurse.

[Mandarella]

I've never heard of that before. You can't practice without a license in hand, otherwise you're just a graduate. You must show proficiency through the NCLEX exam and those results are available online within a day or so, THEN you can practice. Employers can look the results up on the web and at that point you are a licensed nurse.

GPN's here need permit in hand to work until boards are taken, but graduate RN's may work immediately after graduation without a permit until it comes in the mail...as long as they have sent in for it.

They say that the difference is because we are from an RN program and haven't graduated from an LPN program, although we still meet all the requirements to take our LPN boards and to practice under the GPN scope. We are eligible 1/2 way into our program to do this.

[uliej21]

I just finished the LPN program and passed my boards. I am waiting to get the actual license in the mail though. My boss is letting me start to orient on the floor as an LPN, I cannot pass meds though until the license has been turned into HR.

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

It probly has more to do with you not having graduated from an accredited program. RN graduates have the diploma in hand,, as do LPN's from a LPN program, you have neither yet. So the facility is going to wait until your license comes in to put you to work to cover their licenses. Otherwise they are at risk of allowing an unlicensed person to practice.

Its unfortuante but that is another reason why i never encourage people to do what you did. It may take 3 months to get your license in hand then at least 6-9 weeks of fulltime orientation at the facility, and if you are going through a ADN program for instance, you will have your RN in 3 more months and you have basically wasted all that money on taking the NCLEX and paying for a LPN license you wont even be using within 6 months. If you are going through a 4 year program are you even going to be able to orientate as a LPN full-time and go to school maybe fulltime? Sounds like a lot to have on your plate to me.

I usually encourage people to be patient and concentrate on getting finished with their program first.

[Mandarella]

yes, actually I will only be working on the permit until graduation. I am so far 95% sure I won't take the LPN boards.

My NM cleared me for the position and by the time I graduate I will be working for about 3-4 months. So it is not worth it unless I do not pass my RN boards...then I will have to transfer to another position until I do pass because I will not have that LPN licesure. At least I will be getting a little more experience. I will be working with a veteran RN who requested the she be the one to precept me, so everyone is comfortable with the decision.

Thanks for the input.

It probly has more to do with you not having graduated from an accredited program. RN graduates have the diploma in hand,, as do LPN's from a LPN program, you have neither yet. So the facility is going to wait until your license comes in to put you to work to cover their licenses. Otherwise they are at risk of allowing an unlicensed person to practice.

Its unfortuante but that is another reason why i never encourage people to do what you did. It may take 3 months to get your license in hand then at least 6-9 weeks of fulltime orientation at the facility, and if you are going through a ADN program for instance, you will have your RN in 3 more months and you have basically wasted all that money on taking the NCLEX and paying for a LPN license you wont even be using within 6 months. If you are going through a 4 year program are you even going to be able to orientate as a LPN full-time and go to school maybe fulltime? Sounds like a lot to have on your plate to me.

I usually encourage people to be patient and concentrate on getting finished with their program first.