Challenging LPN boards as an RN student

[Winston SN]

I'm currently enrolled in a BSN program (just completed my first year) and have the opportunity to challenge the LPN boards after next year. A few questions:

Does this seem like a good idea?

How difficult do you think it will be (of course boards are difficult, but compared to taking the RN boards after graduation ... will it be a lot harder, since I haven't actually graduated from a nursing program?) In theory, I will have covered everything that is covered in LPN school ... but is this really true?

Do I stand to loose anything (other than the fee) if I fail? Would it make it harder for me to become an RN?

[Plucker]

I could have written that post almost word for word. I'm in the ADN program and the time has come for me to challenge the LPN boards if I would like to. My decision?

Yep. I'm gonna do it because right now I work as a CNA. At my job they want to hire me as an LPN asap. I work while in school so why not get paid more and get some good experience.

As far as difficulty, get this. We have a combined PN-ADN program. The PN students are with us for three semesters and then graduate while the ADN students finish another two semesters. In the school's reputation ADN student's who challenge the LPN boards do very well. I am waiting for a response to when I can sit for the boards.

And I don't think it will have anything to do with your Rn degree. Infact, it would maybe help you with the RN boards because you would have already taken a computerized test and you wouldn't be as freaked out, I wouldn't think.

Good luck on your decision....I'll be interested to see what others say.

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

In Pluckers case maybe it wouldnt be difficult to pass LPN boards if their programs are combined. However, if you are a BSN student i would think real hard about it. Im not saying DONT, just think about all the options.

Consider your orientation process to LPN in the workplace. Will you be able to do a full-time orientation while still attending school? Most places want a orientee to work fulltime until the orientation is over.

Consider that even though they allow the challenge of LPN boards, the BSNs clinical experience is still very limited. See if you are fairly comfortable with the clinical skills you have at the end of next year.

And,, you have to consider cost, but i guess that is an individual thing. I never knew a student that could stand to lose that much.

I dont think you have anything to worry about if you dont pass them though, there shouldnt really be an issue regarding Rn boards or your continuation in your program.

If you do decide to do it,, just make sure you do it soon after the end of next year so you have most of the summer to orientate to a job. And just remember an LPN focus and critical thinking process is different than an RN. You have to be able to know what has to be reported and what a LPN can legally do and not mix the two scopes. Working out of your scope of practice as an LPN is about the only thing i could think of that may cause a problem later for your RN boards. JMO ( I was an LPN before RN).

good luck!

[ZASHAGALKA, RN]

I didn't 'challenge' the LVN boards, but I was given the opportunity to take them in between clinical years of my ADN degree (I backdoored into the last 10 weeks of a LVN program).

My advice, absolutely do it!

1. I cannot underestimate the relief of knowing I had a backup in my back pocket. School is very stressful, but I have to admit my last year was much less stressful knowing that I was already a nurse, no matter what.

2. Working as a LVN instead of a CNA my last year of school was the difference between 15.00/hr and 6.20/hr. It was a much more productive use of my time to make the same amount of money while reserving half the time I used to be at work for study.

3. I was much more prepared to take the NCLEX-RN because I took the NCLEX-PN. Although I took the paper boards for both, I imagine there'd be nothing like a real-time, 'it counts' shot at nursing CAT test before the NCLEX-RN.

Go for it. You have nothing to lose but a fee.

~faith,

Timothy.

[pendragon1980]

Actually I researched this and it isn't possible in PA.

[suzanne4, RN]

I am going to throw my 2 cents in for the ---- time here.

Unless you are going to get a significant increase in pay, there is no reason to take the time out to prepare for the LPN Boards when you should be focusing on your other studies. And as stated before, you are going to need to go thru an orientation to work as the LPN, you just don't jump into the position. When are you going to have the time?

Your training would get you further by doing a nurse externship where your focus will still be as an RN. There are differences in the focus between the two roles. In my opinion, this will give you the most benefit and get you foot in the door for a better position, than stating that you worked as an LPN while you were in school. Two different trainings, two different jobs.