How do you challenge the boards as a CNA?

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Hello everyone, I am new to this site and what drew me here was others discussing how to challenge the California LVN/LPN boards as a CNA. I have been a CNA for almost 8 years and it is time for a change. I have attempted in the past to get into nursing school and have failed because of time constraints and math. I have 5 children 3 of them range from 6 to 2yrs old. I really have always wanted to be a nurse since childhood but as a teen I was a mom at 17. I have tried going to community colleges to start my prereq's, and was never able to complete them because I was a single mom at the time and had to quit school to work and it became a challenge to do both because I was working night shift. Just last year, I got into the Healthcare admin/management program for University of Phoenix, and I love it so far however I still would like to advance from CNA to LVN while finishing this degree that will take me another 3 years. I am not in any ADN program I have never been I know you have to have med/surg experience which I have plenty of pediatric experience which I have plenty of from float, and maternity experience which I only got training to be a CNA 8 years ago. The hospital I work for does not allow CNA's On the floors so I don't know how to get this experience and lastly I know I need Pharmocology but no schools offer this unless you in a program can anyone help me with this if so My email is shonaywilliams [email protected]. I don't know If I can do both a degree program and challenge the boards but I need a change if someone is willing to help me in this endeavor I will gladly take the help.

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I'm very confused on your post. I am a mom to 5 children, my kids are 9, 8, 7, 3 1/2, and 1 1/2. I had my 1st in my sr year of high school and graduated with my class on time and got my high school diploma with my 4 month old son in tow. I then started college at age 21. I had 3 kids under 3 at that time. It took me 5 years to finish my pre-reqs for an ADN program. I was accepted for the fall ADN program this year. I work part time nights 7p-7:30a. If you are interested in becoming a nurse you need to look at all the colleges near you and see where you need to start. Which is with pre reqs. I don't know why you need to challenge the board? If you have college classes like the pre-reqs, english 101, english 102, intro to psych, intro to soc, etc they should transfer if they are from a real college. But I truly wouldn't do the program your in if you want to be a nurse. To get into the RN program you just have to take courses, you don't have to have med/surg experience. Some colleges require you to have a CNA while others don't require a CNA. I'm lost on what you are really trying to ask here.

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If you want to do CNA work and you have your CNA apply everywhere. LTC, hospitals, rehab centers, home health.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

I THINK that the OP wants to be licensed as an LPN while she works towards an ADN. She'd like to be able to get her LPN license without the actual LPN degree based on her years of experience as a CNA. I may be mistaken, but in the past that's what "challenging an exam" means---that you believe you can pass the exam without having qualified yourself via the traditional routes ie: LPN school

OP, please correct me if I'm wrong!

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OP, I'm not sure exactly what your state legislation has to say in regards to this but I have never heard of a CNA who can challenge the boards. Licensed Vocational Nurses, firstly must take prerequisites such as: English/Psych & A&P courses. Then they must attend LPN school for 1 year. I am not trying to knock your experience but I personally feel that to be a SAFE & Competent nurse you need to have a degree of academic foundation.

This is my suggestion, look for a GOOD COMMUNITY college - a PUBLIC college ... not a "For-profit" college. Public community colleges often times have programs & childcare to help you along the way. I would begin by taking some remedial English classes, I'm not trying to be rude but based off of your post- I can tell you may need some remediation in terms of English. Now- once you got yourself some basic English education you can begin to obtain your prerequisite education...you need to go to a counselor so you take all the correct classes.

After taking the prerequisites I would apply to the LPN program ... now; there are many many routes to take. SOME schools will let you become an LPN while you're in the ADN program ... halfway through the ADN program you can challenge the boards to become an LPN.

Note: I don't know where you picked up the idea that you need medsurge experience to enter an ADN program- is this a local thing???

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I did my research .... it appears in Cali CNAs with 5+ years of experience can challenge the LPN boards ...

I still don't agree ... a bit scary and bad for the profession.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

At least the experience must be documented and verified hours in acute care inpatient only plus OB and pediatrics Plus it must be paid experience in an inpatient setting. (CNA clinicals don't count) plus a pharmacology class. It's difficult, for the record I don't agree either but the license is not transferable to any other state as it clearly states that this method is only valid in CA. Plus legally all facilities may not hire those who gain a LVN license by this method

http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/licensing/method_3.shtml

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Specializes in Transitional Nursing.
I did my research .... it appears in Cali CNAs with 5+ years of experience can challenge the LPN boards ...

I still don't agree ... a bit scary and bad for the profession.

Holy Crap!

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Holy Crap!

That is scary! Shoot my LPN program is 18 months, the CNA program is 4 weeks. I have never heard of such a thing, and am happy we don't live in CA.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

I'm not sure how you can take the NCLEX without ever performing the skills learned in the LPN classes...

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That is scary! Shoot my LPN program is 18 months, the CNA program is 4 weeks. I have never heard of such a thing, and am happy we don't live in CA.

Actually, you can get your CNA within 2 weeks with an "Accelerated course".

I never knew it was ever possible for a CNA to challenge the NCLEX-PN without the educational background.

This is absolutley astounding to me. (I am going to be going for my LPN) It is wrong on so many levels, and totally unbelievable. O.O

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The OP did state that math has been a challenge in getting into nursing school already. I would REALLY encourage you to brush up on your math skills. As a nurse, LPN/LVN and RN you need to know how to do basic dosage calculations. I am sure you would learn this in pharmacology as well. I hope that if you do take this route and find work as a LPN in California that you are truly prepared to take on that responsibility. A nurse does do so much more than that of a PCT or CNA.

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