Can RN student take the LPN test?

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Hello Everyone!

Im a RN student about to graduate in January 2009, but im a curently facing some tough personal issues so I had to drop my class last week. I was thinking about challenging the LPN test until I could get back on my feet and finish the RN. I am curently in NJ, I called the board of nursing unfortunately they do not allow that. Does anyone have an idea which state would allow me to test for the LPN as a RN student? I already completed my OB and Peds rotation. Please let me know, I am facing some difficult financial situations and I am running out of options!

Thanks,

There are not many states that allow this anymore. HCKELLY is right, I think 2007 was the last year to allow this in NY. Here is the info on NY if you are interested in the reasons why:

http://www.op.nysed.gov/nurse2EQelim.htm

I heard before that Excelsior allows you to finish your RN is you have more than 50% of the program done.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I would check with your state's BON to see if you are eligible to sit for the exam, as they're the ones with the final say in it.

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Specializes in IMCU.

I don't know if it is to do with my state or my program but I can take the LPN after 2nd semester of clinicals...and I am going to because I will be flogging myself to get experience.

I just don't want to graduate and be in the "oh you have no experience" scenario.

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I don't know if it is to do with my state or my program but I can take the LPN after 2nd semester of clinicals...and I am going to because I will be flogging myself to get experience.

I just don't want to graduate and be in the "oh you have no experience" scenario.

That makes sense, and sounds like a great idea!

What state do you live in, and is it an ADN or BSN program?

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wow, that is so rude to say "it would be like going backwards"! I just completed my LPN and joined my RN class in their 3rd semester. I assumed we would be in about the same place knowledge-wise, but I actually covered far more in my LPN, than this RN class has so far. I've actually been quite shocked at some of the concepts they don't know yet like what DIC is, basic meds, and other things like that, but they haven't done advanced med-surg, OB/Peds, geri, or psych and I have so it makes sense that they don't know this stuff yet. LPN's learn all the same concepts that RN's do, it's just an abbreviated version. So far (I'm halfway through 3rd semester RN) we haven't covered a single concept we didn't learn in LPN. Some of it is more detailed, but nothing's new yet. RN's and LPN's have different roles and responsibilities but there is a standard to provide nursing care that all nurses have to meet, regardless of what type of nurse you are.

In my state, as well as many others, you can sit for LPN boards halfway through your school's program if it meets the BON's standards. For my RN school, you can if you've completed 3rd semester. I think it's a great thing to do because you can get soooo much more hands on nursing experience if you're actually working as a nurse, as opposed to just doing clinicals (and all the restrictions that come with being a student providing care).

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Specializes in IMCU.
No state that I no of would allow it. Its like you are going backwards. You may not want to do this, but you could work as a CNA or PCA. I live in the Phila area and work at temple university hospital, If you had at least 1 semester of medsurg you can work as a PCA. Good luck 2 U

Backwards? Um no, not really. LPNs do more advanced skills than CNAs.

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the only skills I can't do as an LPN in my state are an initial assessment, draw ABG's, and write care plans. Some hospitals allow us to hang blood, but others don't. I can do everything else an RN can in my state. CNA is a 2-3wk program and LPN is 11-14mo. Totally different.

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First you need to check with your state board to see if it allows this practice. Then you need to check with your school. There are some schools that refuse to sign off on the paperwork for their students in spite of the stance that the state takes concerning the issue. If your school refuses to cooperate in this instance, you are out of luck. Most schools will not do this type of service for those who did not attend there or for out of state applicants.

Noted that OP was in 2008. Hope that this has been resolved satisfactorily.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I'm in an RN program but we have the option to take the NCLEX PN after the first year if we take an additional "Transition into Practical Nursing" class. Some students opted out of the class and are just waiting until graduation to take the NCLEX. A few took the class to sit for the NCLEX PN to get an idea of what the test will be like and also to get some nursing experience in the meantime. This is in Colorado. The class is really easy, but requires 100 or so clinical hours.

I am in CO and I know they offer this at my school as well. A classmate of mine plans on doing that this summer because her employer is more willing to work with her school schedule if she is an LPN rather then what she is doing now. For us as well if you complete the first year you just have to take that class in the summer (if you plan on staying in the RN program) or I suppose whenever if you're not staying in.

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I finished 99% of an R.N. program in NJ and want to take the LPN test. I was told today that NY no longer allows students to take thelLPN test. I am actively seeking any state that would allow this. If i get the information I will post it .

This isn't true. I am a nursing student in Ny and my neighbor is a charge nurse who just hired a girl who was mid way through the RN program but got pregnant so sat for the NCLEX-PN and is now working as an LPN.

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This isn't true. I am a nursing student in Ny and my neighbor is a charge nurse who just hired a girl who was mid way through the RN program but got pregnant so sat for the NCLEX-PN and is now working as an LPN.

She had to have done this prior to 2007 or was grandfathered in. But you cannot do this anymore as of June 2007.

This is to notify you that as of June 1, 2007 the State Education Department will no longer accept applications for licensed practical nursing based on completion of Form 2-EQ. This option permits students in programs for registered professional nursing (RNs) to apply for Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) licensure after having:

  • Completed at least three semesters of a registered professional nursing program,
  • Completed clinical components in each of the three semesters completed,
  • Earned 20 semester hours in nursing courses which include a clinical nursing component, and
  • Received a grade of “C” or better in both clinical and classroom components of each nursing course

http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/nurse/nurse2EQelim.htm

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Wow, sorry... It was just last week my neighbor was telling me this. I'm a little frustrated now, since this was my plan also. I should have known, NY does nothing logically. We plan to move to Denver when I graduate. Sorry for the mis information. I will let my neighbor know SHE is wrong.

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