Challenging the Nursing Board

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello everyone, first time poster here. I've been reading around for a while on this website and everyone has been extremely helpful.

I am currently waiting for the spring semester to begin in order for me to complete the 7 credit hours I need to receive my bachelors. I was in a discussion with other nurses in California and they talked about CNAs audaciously challenging the nursing board to become LVN/LPNs.

Taking into account that I am but 7 hours shy of my bachelor's degree, would I be able to take my case to the state nursing board, show them the classes I've completed, and ask to be given a seat in the NCLEX RN exam before my date of graduation from my university?

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Specializes in ER, Infusion therapy, Oncology.

My suggestion would be to contact the State Board.

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Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.

Wow. I didn't know that taking a 5-week course on body mechanics and bed baths made you eligible to challenge the PN boards. If I'd known that, I would have skipped nursing school!

But really, as mianders said, the BON is the best source of advice for challenging exams.

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Beware...things that sound great often are not! California does things a bit differently, but unless you plan to practice ONLY in California, don't go by their rules, as it will haunt you forever. I teach in Georgia, and we have plenty of students who come here to practice (usually part of a military move with their military husband) and they are shocked to find out that Georgia does not recognize their RN license form California because they took boards before they finished the BSN coursework. Even though they finished the coursework eventually, it doesn't matter. We do not recognize a license issued in that way.

These people end up going back to our program to get the degree before they can work in this state. You can only transfer in a few hours of nursing coursework, so it's almost like doing nursing school over again, eventhough you've already practiced in California.

So, bottom line, my advice is complete the BSN in cAlifornia, then take boards. Don't do it out of order unless you plan to never leave CA.

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

contact the BON and please keep us posted...

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