Allowed to enroll in BSN program while in IPN?

[ReturningNurse23]

Hi, I'm glad I found your site. I have found a great deal of useful information here. I'm hoping someone might be able to help me with my particular situation.

I graduated with a ASN in 2001. I had to join IPN in order to get my license. I wound up failing my first try at the NCLEX then after about 18 months of the IPN I walked away from nursing and never got my license.

I am Bipolar and I maintained my treatment program after I left the IPN. My family wants me to try to get my license again. The psychiatrist I see is an approved IPN dr and says I should try and he'll write me a good eval.

He says I should have no problem getting my license, which is fantastic.

I sent a letter to the IPN yesterday and I'm hoping to go in front of the board on their Dec 3-5 meeting. I'm feeling pretty confident about meeting them and being allowed back into the IPN and being authorized to retake the NCLEX.

Here's my problems though.

1. I am in school right now working on a bachelor's in Technology and Management. I want to switch the the bachelor Nursing program.

• Will me being in the IPN prevent me from enrolling in the program?

• Am I able to have the IPN state in my contract that I am allowed to go to school?

2. I haven't worked as a nurse for 5 years. I was a certified clinical research coordinator from the ACRP and the only medical work I did was drug studies for a psychiatrist.

• Any recommendations for work I should look for? I would prefer not to work as a research coordinator but I have no doubt my options will be extremely limited.

• I want to try to get a job at a hospital but it sounds kinda laughable just writing it. I know some people at some hospitals that would recommend me but I just feel I might be wasting my time to even try. Should I try to apply for some lower level job than an RN and try to show my worthiness through time? If so what type of hob should I apply for? Make sense?

Thank your in advance for any feedback.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Since you already have an ASN you're not going to qualify for BSN programs, since ASN to BSN programs require a license.

I would not worry much about getting a BSN or worrying about the job you're going to get until you pass NCLEX and the state gives you a license. What type of job you get is really going to depend on what restrictions you have. Are you going to have a narcotic restriction? However, you are going to need to find new grad entry level positions. Some contracts I think are stricter than others and they may nor may not allow you to go to school - especially if they think it's going to stress you out to the point you might relapse into what got you into the IPN in the first place.

First order of business - get permission to sit for NCLEX and pass NCLEX. Then make your plans then.

Good luck to you.

[ReturningNurse23]

The NCLEX is very important to me. Thank you for your advice, I need to focus most on getting permission and passing.

If I were able to meet the Board in Dec and be allowed to sit. My plan was to study the whole next semester at the school and try to pass the NCLEX around April or May.

I was asking so I could get some ideas of questions I should ask the IPN & board. Like the restriction on narcs and ask them about school. Whatever they will let me do is fine, I'd just be happy with the opportunity at this point.

Thank you.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Good questions to ask though. Good luck!