challenge examination for becoming a registered nurse?

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I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology. Additionally, I have worked four years in the blood bank at Vanderbilt University. Additionally, I also have experience running IV's at home(for husband). Does anyone know if there is a challenge examination for becoming a registered nurse? I currently live in Kentucky but would like to be able to work in Tennessee. Any comments are welcome.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology. Additionally, I have worked four years in the blood bank at Vanderbilt University. Additionally, I also have experience running IV's at home(for husband). Does anyone know if there is a challenge examination for becoming a registered nurse? I currently live in Kentucky but would like to be able to work in Tennessee. Any comments are welcome.

There is no state in the U.S. where you can challenge the RN licensing without completing a curriculum in professional nursing. You would not be eligible to challenge the nclex-PN in CA for an lvn license valid only in CA and not endorsable to any other state. (BVNPT will consider a CNA with 60 months experience working inpatient with specific hours in pediatrics, obstetrics, mental health, geriatrics, med-surg and a pharmacology course). You don't have pharmacology education or patient care clinical education as a medical technologist. It's more than venous access and blood banking. Neither TN nor KY permit challenging of RN or LPN. You could look into a direct entry MSN or an accelerated BSN program

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Welcome to allnurses.com

We moved your post to its own thread in the Pre-Nursing forum and retitled it.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

To be blunt: You clearly do not know much about nursing to ask such an insulting question.

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Lol no.

I don't even think you know what nurses do. Starting an IV is a task anyone can do.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology. Additionally, I have worked four years in the blood bank at Vanderbilt University. Additionally, I also have experience running IV's at home(for husband). Does anyone know if there is a challenge examination for becoming a registered nurse? I currently live in Kentucky but would like to be able to work in Tennessee. Any comments are welcome.

Short answer--NO! To sit for NCLEX you must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing.

Nursing isn't just about tasks. I shake my head in despair when I read questions like this, because it makes me wonder if non-nurses really think this job is so easy one can walk in off the street and get licensed.

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Med technologists can make decent money, why don't you stick with that?

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Specializes in Progressive Care.

Nursing is a completely different field than what your background is in, but your background will certainly help you in nursing. My classmates were EMTs, paramedics, nursing assistants, phlebotomists, medical assistants and more but we all started with Nursing 101. I think you'll find it's much more challenging than you're imagining, but it's also a very rewarding career.

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I think this may be a troll post.

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I think it's a fair question from someone who doesn't know.

Can't you challenge the bar in some states to become a lawyer? I think I have heard that before....? So it's a valid question to ask before putting in the time and work for school!

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

I think people may be a little quick to be offended. This person admits they are seeking information, i.e., they don't know. Especially in a profession like nursing where one can enter with either 1 (LPN/VN) or 2 (ADN) years of education.

You (the OP) could be eligible for an accelerated BSN program but depending on what you took for your prior degree, you could be out in about 2 years with a BSN.

There actually is a "kind of" test out option available in some States but only if you have specific prior clinical degrees and experience. Excelsior College out of NY State will accept people with previous LPN, RT, Paramedic (maybe some other professions?).

Also look around and be informed on the job market in your area. I think I just saw another posting by some new graduate nurses talking about working at Vanderbilt for something like $19-20/hr. I'm sure the wages will increase eventually, but be aware.

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

For Excelsior only a currently licensed LPN or licensed/certified paramedic are eligible for the ASN program. Medical technologist are not eligible and they no longer admit partial completion of RN program or respiratory therapists.

The OP's options are traditional (diploma/ASN/BSN), ABSN or direct entry MSN if they wish to become a registered nurse

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