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Discussion

Challenging the LPN

Good day everyone

I trying to find out if it is possible for me to challenge the LPN exam. I am a nursing student who was in a BSN program and i failed by a narrow margin (0.1%) and as we all know nursing courses do not round up. I would have finished the program next semester, therefore i have all the knowledge but no certification. So, is it possible for me to take the LPN exam? Btw I am in Maryland.

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    • Experts

    Have you asked the Maryland BON? That's the only answer that really matters.

    There may be something on the website in the section about qualifications for LPN licensure in the state. Have you looked?

    Sorry to hear about your school problems. Best wishes --

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    when you find out this answer, you need to share with me. I read on one of the thread it's done in Utha, I've not have the time to inquire...keep me posted...good luck.

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    While all BON have different criteria, it seems unlikely that you could circumvent the requirement that you graduate from an approved LPN/LVN school in order to sit for the NCLEX. I believe graduation from an accredited school is one of the standard requirements of each and every state. Otherwise, the BON would have appeals from nursing assistants who want to take the LPN/ NCLEX, med school drop-outs who want to take the RN NCLEX, etc., etc.

    Is retaking the class you failed an option? Can you transfer your successful credits to a different nursing school? There is usually some way to find success in an unfortunate situation--taking the LPN exam is certainly a creative approach, but it probably won't work. I hope you are able to find a way into nursing; it's such a disappointment to fail, but to fail by 1/10 of a percent is heartbreaking. Good luck!

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    when you find out this answer, you need to share with me. I read on one of the thread it's done in Utha, I've not have the time to inquire...keep me posted...good luck.

    Out of curiosity (and doubt!) I just checked Utah's BON's rules and regulations. Yes, you do need to graduate from/ complete an approved nursing program in order to apply for a license (and proof is required directly from the nursing school). It seems this is a minimum requirement for licensure in all states.

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    • Experts

    California will allow one to challenge the boards to become an LVN without having completed an actual program. You simply need experience as a CNA or military medic in order to qualify.

    However, Excelsior College is a distance-based school that will accept your credits as long as you have completed at least 50 percent of your clinical component at the last school you attended. You can finish up your RN education and licensure through Excelsior and bypass the LPN altogether.

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    Excelsior changed their policies in Jan 2012 and they no longer automatically accept RN students with 50% completion. It's on a case by case and they are not accepting students who failed to pass a diploma, ADN, or BSN program (or dropped due to failing a course for whatever reason).

    "Effective January 1, 2012, applicants who have completed 50% of the clinical credit hours in an associate, bachelor's, or RN diploma nursing program are no longer eligible for direct admission to the School of Nursing. Individuals who have completed at least 50% of the clinical nursing credit hours with a minimum grade of C within 5 years of enrollment into Excelsior College will be reviewed on a case by case appeal basis. This appeal process requires submission of the undergraduate application, fee, official transcripts, and letter of appeal indicating where and how clinical skills are being practiced in a health care setting. Only applicants who are currently employed in a clinical capacity and maintained good academic standing (minimum grade of C in all nursing courses) throughout their nursing program will be considered in this appeal process."

    Source: http://www.excelsior.edu/special-requirements-associate-degree

    Also, Excelsior's distance learning is not accepted for initial or endorsement licensure in Maryland for anyone who graduates after 12/31/2007. http://www.excelsior.edu/state-board-requirements

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    Interesting little tidbit, Commuter! I was skeptical, but checked California's website and found that there are three paths to LVN licensure (cut and pasted from CA's DON website)...

    **********************************

    Methods of Entry-level Access as a Vocational Nurse[/h]Requirements for vocational nurse licensure are specified in the Vocational Nursing Practice Act. There are four (4) methods by which one may qualify for the licensure examination. Each method is designed to provide an individual access into the job market as an entry-level practitioner.

    Method #1: Graduation from a California "approved" Vocational Nursing Program.

    Method #2: Graduation from an Out-of-State "approved" Practical/Vocational Nursing Program.

    Method #3: Completion of equivalent education and experience.

    • Pharmacology - 54 Hours
    • Paid Bedside Nursing Experience - 51 Months
    • Verification of Skill Proficiency

    *******************

    The third criterion (skill proficiency verification) sounds vague, but apparently they have a system to do so. The next question is, can an LVN who obtained his/ her credential this way transfer that license to another state by endorsement? Most states have virtually identical licensure requirements, so transferring may be difficult.

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    • Experts

    Thank you for this update! :)

    Excelsior changed their policies in Jan 2012 and they no longer automatically accept RN students with 50% completion. It's on a case by case and they are not accepting students who failed to pass a diploma, ADN, or BSN program (or dropped due to failing a course for whatever reason).

    "Effective January 1, 2012, applicants who have completed 50% of the clinical credit hours in an associate, bachelor's, or RN diploma nursing program are no longer eligible for direct admission to the School of Nursing. Individuals who have completed at least 50% of the clinical nursing credit hours with a minimum grade of C within 5 years of enrollment into Excelsior College will be reviewed on a case by case appeal basis. This appeal process requires submission of the undergraduate application, fee, official transcripts, and letter of appeal indicating where and how clinical skills are being practiced in a health care setting. Only applicants who are currently employed in a clinical capacity and maintained good academic standing (minimum grade of C in all nursing courses) throughout their nursing program will be considered in this appeal process."

    Source: Admission Requirements for Associate Degree in Nursing Programs - excelsior.edu

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    • Experts
    The third criterion (skill proficiency verification) sounds vague, but apparently they have a system to do so. The next question is, can an LVN who obtained his/ her credential this way transfer that license to another state by endorsement? Most states have virtually identical licensure requirements doing so may be difficult.
    Since most other states require that the person complete a practical or vocational nursing program at a state-approved school, people who attained their licensure by simply challenging the boards in CA would not be able to endorse their licenses into any other state.
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    You failed the bscn program so you think you should be able to write the LPN exam? What an insult to LPNs!

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    • Experts
    While all BON have different criteria, it seems unlikely that you could circumvent the requirement that you graduate from an approved LPN/LVN school in order to sit for the NCLEX. I believe graduation from an accredited school is one of the standard requirements of each and every state. Otherwise, the BON would have appeals from nursing assistants who want to take the LPN/ NCLEX, med school drop-outs who want to take the RN NCLEX, etc., etc.

    Unless this has changed fairly recently (and I'm happy to be corrected if that's the case), some states (not all) have policies allowing people who have completed some specified amount of an RN program to write the NCLEX-PN and be licensed as LPNs. This would be available either to people who want to get an LPN license and start working while they complete their RN program, or to people who, for whatever reason (including failing) are not going to complete their RN program. The state I've practiced in for most of my career allows this, and many RN programs in the state encourage their students to seek licensure and get some experience as an LPN during the RN program (I'm not saying I agree with that, and have actively discouraged students from doing it when I've taught), but it's definitely a possibility and everyone in nursing education in the state knows that.

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