nclex rn to nclex pn

Nursing Students NCLEX

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Hi! I am a graduate with a Bachelors degree in Nursing. I have taken the NCLEX RN 3 times, and I have finally decided to try my luck with the NCLEX PN. My questions are:

1] Is the NCLEX PN actually harder than the NCLEX RN as I have heard? (This question is geared toward nurses who have taken both.)

2] Can I use my Saunders NCLEX RN book to review for the NCLEX PN, or is there a significant difference in test content that I would need to buy the NCLEX PN book?

I always come across threads from earlier than 2007, and I would like an updated answer. Any information would be great! :]

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I'm an LVN so I would say no you cannot take use the RN book to study for the PN exam. The scope of practice is very different and if you answer like an RN you won't pass (visa versa if you answer like an LVN for the RN exam).

I personally have not heard that the PN is harder, but I took my PN test 12 years ago so I may have forgotten. What I did NOT forget that studying for it was just as challenging as studying for the RN. I cried the entire way home and was certain I'd failed at 118 questions.

In my opinion you should study more and retake the RN boards. Good luck!

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I review for nclex-rn, i never opened a review book for pn.. i challenge the pn board passed it first time.. i think nclex-rn is much harder than nclex-pn.. cheers!

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I am frequently surprised by those who fail the NCLEX-RN and then treat the PN exam as though it was a consolation prize to be had.

The scope of practice for an RN and LPN are, as you know, quite different. Will you pass the PN exam? Maybe. I don't know if "harder" is the term I'd use; while I have NOT personally taken the PN exam, it is described as hard by those who struggled with it and easy by those who have not. The SAME as those who struggle with the RN exam ("it was so hard!!") and found it easy ("no big deal").

Each person's experience is their own. For instance, if I were to tell you that the RN exam was "no big deal", but you have failed to pass it, how does that help you?

Someone could tell you he found the PN exam easy. How, exactly, does that help you to pass it? And if you can't....how was someone saying this, useful information for you?

If you want a personal opinion, I'd say to study the material for the program you graduated from (RN) and endeavor to pass that.

If you did pass the LPN exam, how does this make the best use of your schooling? And if you don't.....well, not much to say.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

You not be able to take the NCLEX-PN; you did not complete the requirements that may make you eligible to sit for it, depending on your state.

As someone who had completed the NCLEX-PN as a PN student and the NCLEX-RN as a a BSN student; I studied for both equally as much as I needed to; both had questions that required you to think and apply the information BASED ON SCOPE.

To also add my opinion, the NCLEX-PN was MUCH HARDER than the NCLEX-RN...just sayin'

As RNsRWe has stated, the NCLEX-PN is NOT a constellation prize for failing the NCLEX-RN; if you are having serious challenges in passing, it's best to step back and find out WHY you are getting near passing or below passing; how one's approach to the questions may affect it-do you have test anxiety? Are you ESL? How did your program prepare you for answering NCLEX-style questions? did you review NCLEX-style questions while in your program?

Looking at understanding the key elements of the NCLEX in terms of a safe, competent entry level nurse as follows:

1. Safe, effective care;

2. Health promotion;

3. Physiological integrity;

4. Psychosocial Integrity

Will determine WHAT the question is asking you, as well as determine what will be the best answer.

What sources are you using? What are your needs?

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The reason i took the lvn because im living in california and im foreign gradute.. because of concurrency issue i got denied for the nclex-rn.. but im going to take my nclex-rn in different state which i was qualified to sit for nclex. To make my story short ill be lvn in califirnia and rn (the state that i applied) cheers!

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I have taken both the pn and RN and passed both on the first try. My opinion is that the pn is much harder then the RN. Each test is looking for something different. The content is the same, but the way you approach the question has to be different, so no you shouldn't study for the pn with an RN book. My advice though is that you should just take some time to evaluate your study approach and then take the RN again because honestly if you can't pass the RN I don't think you can pass the pn. Good luck.

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First off, thank you everyone for your replies! It is great to know there are people who are willing to help out in a positive manner :] ..Next, I would like to mention that in no way do I think that taking the NCLEX PN is a "consolation prize" for failing the NCLEX RN. I am well aware of the differences of each title and job description, and after working as a CNA my eyes have been opened to what I am actually interested in pursuing a career in. I was always told by my family members that being an RN is the way to go, when in reality, they have no freaking idea what it is like and what I am more interested in doing. (I wish I had someone to mentor me in this waaaaay before graduating; unfortunately, I didn't.) In other countries, there are no LVNs and no CNAs, so naturally older generations from other countries think that becoming an RN is the only way to go. Like I said though, I am more interested in becoming an LVN now as opposed to being an RN after actually getting to see what they do. So please DO NOT tell me that if I cannot pass the NCLEX RN, I have no chance of passing the NCLEX PN. The point of this thread was not to take the easy way out (because we all know it doesn't exist). The point of this thread was to positively converge ideas and strategies and not only help myself to pass this exam, but to help others as well who may be in the same situation as me. Thank you again.

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On another note, I am aware that the NCLEX RN and NCLEX PN have entirely different approaches question-wise, so I am definitely looking into some NCLEX PN question books/reviewers. I currently have Saunders for the NCLEX RN, and I have a feeling that the CONTENT is pretty much the same as the Saunders NCLEX PN? The only difference is the QUESTIONS in it, correct? Any positive info will be greatly appreciated! :]

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Just because the response you received are not to your liking doesn't mean it's negative.

You may or may not be able to sign up for the PN...again, check with your BON.

I will ask again:

How about figuring out what was your below passing?

Knowing WHAT the question is asking you in order to choose the best answer is key.

As far as wanting to become an LPN, before taking that test, understand that depending on your area, you may be limited to the career choices, and again, check with your BON; if you may not be able to take the PN exam, then you WILL have to take the NCLEX-RN; I think you are being hasty to try to jump into another test without at least reflecting on what you got below passing....you may be closer than you think; don't get discouraged and then end up with the would've could've should've situation.

You can always check out the NCSBN learning extension-from the makers of NCLEX for a through review with a plethora of sources for clarifying rationales.

Best wishes.

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Thank you for your best wishes and advice! :] I was not saying that any of these comments are negative. I was simply being appreciative to replies and justifying myself to avoid assumptions of my actual intentions. I have finally decided to take the LVN route because I want to stay in my native city, San Diego. Continuing to pursue an RN license, for me, would mean having to move out of California and I no longer have a desire to do that. For the past times I have been taking the NCLEX RN, it was for licensure in Nevada. When I tried to apply for licensure in California, I was required to retake two of my subjects before being eligible to take the NCLEX RN. Sounds simple, right? Nope! I was only allowed to take classes from a provided list of schools, all of which I have contacted and all of the wait-lists for the nursing programs are currently backed up. So that was not an option. I was advised to alternatively try applying for an LVN license, so I am sure that I am eligible to take the NCLEX PN (I would not even bother if I knew I definitely did not have a chance.) I know that license reciprocity exists, but according to multiple peers of mine, they had no luck at transferring back to California after being licensed in another state, and I don't want to take that risk and spend many years away from home. I am aware of what subject areas I did poorly in, and I am more determined to do a better job at improving my test-taking skills. Now that I have decided (for myself) which career path I want to take, I believe that failing the NCLEX RN multiple times was God's way of saying "You know you don't really want to do that for the rest of your life." So I am more confident that I will do well this time.

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I am sorry if I sounded negative. I didn't mean to. Having taken both tests it is my opinion that the pn is harder. One of the reasons I was so freaked out waiting for my RN results is that I found it so much easier, content wise, than the pn. This is not to say it is impossible for you to pass the pn because as you said god does things for a reason. I love being an LVN and think it is a wonderful career choice. I would advise you to look at review material aimed at pns because it isn't so much that the questions are different but that the way you have to approach them is. There are things that are outside the scope of practice for a pn and the test wants to make sure you understand those limitations. Best of luck to you.

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