After which clinical are we allowed to take the LPN exam?

[jbjints]

I am having a problem finding out from my professors after which clinical I am able to take the LPN exam. I sent an e-mail to the state board of nursing and they told me to ask my advisor whom doesn't know.

My ultimate goal is that of a BSN but I hate my current job and I think it would be a great idea for me to obtain my LPN license and get out of my current job and gain some hospital experience.

I am a Molloy College student in New York and I'd just like to be proactive and plan my attack. I work full time and live I tight schedule, the only way I can get things done is by pre-planning. Can anyone help me?

www.molloy.edu

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

I have researched this question for a couple of posters over the past few months. In general, the state board sites I have looked at regarding this only issue what is called educational equivalency credit to take the NCLEX-PN which is the LPN licensing exam under very specific circumstances. It often involves an RN who has either completed RN training and has been unable to pass the NCLEX-RN after multiple attempts, an RN student who has had to drop out of nursing school and been unable to complete the RN program, or someone who received equivalent training in another venue such as the military or a foreign school. These LPN boards usually have specific requirements that have to be met and they involve sending them not only a transcript of your schooling, but often a letter from the dean of the nursing program that details the training you received. I often found this information in the instructions for the applications to take the LPN licensing exam.

I would suggest that you go to the NY state board website. You can get a link from here. Run your mouse over the "Links" button at the top right of this page. A drop down menu appears. Click on "Boards of Nursing". A page of states comes up. Click on NY. A link to the NY Board of Nursing will come up. That will take you to their site. Investigate the rules and instructions for taking the LPN licensing exam and particularly licensing through educational equivalency. I would encourage you to pull up the application for LPN licensure and read the instructions that go with it as the information you are looking for may be included there.

I will tell you, however, that I've read posts where some deans of nursing schools have refused to provide the required letters for their current RN students that some of these LPN boards require. Some states will outright refuse to allow RN students to sit and take the LPN exams. My advice has always been that it is not a good idea to be a newly licensed LPN learning an LPNs job and continue going to RN school--too much stress. New graduate LPNs go through the same on-the-job stress as new nurses just as new grad RNs do. I don't think that students can handle that and still continue to do their RN studies at the same time. Either the patients or the student end up paying the ultimate price.

[amowvu96]

Hi,

I transferred from Molloy to another college but I can tell you Molloy really isn't happy when you try and go for your LPN Certification.

If I remember right you can try after taking Adult 1 but I'm not sure. I would totally clear it with the Chairperson of the department before you even schedule the test.

Good luck :)

[jbjints]

Hello,

Daytonite has said all the right things and I am going to take her advice. It makes sense to me now about Molloy's staff not giving me the answer that I have been searching for hehe. I am going to stick with my original and ultimate goal. I am going to stay the course. Did you enjoy your time at Molloy?

[RN Zeke]

Is it possible for all ADN students in all states to take the PN/NCLEX after a certain semester? If so it would really help many of us financially and clinical skills wise. I'm in NC. where it is very cold now.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

Is it possible for all ADN students in all states to take the PN/NCLEX after a certain semester? If so it would really help many of us financially and clinical skills wise. I'm in NC. where it is very cold now.

I understand, but it depends on the program. Be sure to talk to your Director or an advisor.

My program is not set up for people to just go and take the exam after any given semester without taking an additional semester. My program is set up where after 2 semesters you can "op-out" of the RN program and take an additional semester to prepare you for the LPN exam so you can obtain your license. The logic we were given is that my program wants to graduate RNs and not LPNs. Plus if anyone decides to become a LPN my program wants him/her to pass the exam the first time around!