Can you take the LPN Exam while you are a RN program

[m2736185]

I am a RN student in Florida. Does anyone know the process of taking the LPN NCLEX while you are in a RN program.

[caliotter3]

First find out from your State Board if this practice is allowed in your state. Then approach the school to see if they will cooperate. Not all schools will sign off on the application paperwork for their students. They are not required to cooperate and some do not.

[m2736185]

Well, according to the Floridas DOH website ;

Applicants Applying for the Practical Nurse Exam (NCLEX-PN) Based on Practical Nursing

Education Equivalency (PNEQ): Applicants who have successfully completed courses, equivalent

to practical nursing education in a registered nursing program, may qualify for NCLEX-PN based on

practical nursing equivalency. All professional courses taken must have been successfully completed

with a grade of “C” or better and must have included theory and clinical instruction. Courses required

to meet the education equivalency include: Fundamentals of Nursing, Geriatric Nursing, Medical and

Surgical Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, Obstetric Nursing, Pharmacology and Nutrition.

PNEQ Applicants must have the Practical Nurse Equivalency (PNEQ) Application Letter (form found

in forms section of application) submitted directly from the director of your program stating that you

have met all necessary requirements to sit for the LPN exam, an official current transcript and course

descriptions for all nursing courses in the curriculum must be submitted directly to the Florida Board

of Nursing by the school(s) attended. Documentation must include demonstration that the applicant

has been educated on the difference between the scope of practice of a Licensed Practical Nurse

and a Registered Nurse

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

some states allow this. It will require $ and documents from your school.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

At my CC which is in md, you can sit for LPN boards after first year of RN school in addition to another 8 week class that covers more med surg, emergency nursing, peds and psych.

[m2736185]

Is it at the discretion of the school? Does it count against their passing rate if you fail?

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

In my program after the first year you can sit for a 3 day class and do a 96 hr clinical and sit for the LPN exam. About 10 students in my program did this.

[caliotter3]

Is it at the discretion of the school? Does it count against their passing rate if you fail?

Yes, it is at the discretion of the school. That is what I said in my original post. My school stopped the practice of allowing early testing for RN because of the black mark of students who did not take NCLEX seriously and were failing it too often. The school then backtracked to allowing students to take the NCLEX PN early instead of NCLEX RN.