CNA to LPN/LVN

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California gives us long term CNA's a chance to challenge the LVN exam through work experience and 54 hours of pharmacology. I am ready to start studying for the exam. Any advice on what I should be concentrating on? Please help. I am a soon to be divorced mother of two and I am very determined to pass! Any one who was a CNA or not trying to pass the Ca. state boards please respond thank you so much.

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Specializes in Postpartum, Antepartum, Psych., SDS, OR.

Check with a local LVN school for the test books they use and also Barns and Noble. Is this expensive? Good luck!! Cay

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California gives us long term CNA's a chance to challenge the LVN exam through work experience and 54 hours of pharmacology. I am ready to start studying for the exam. Any advice on what I should be concentrating on? Please help. I am a soon to be divorced mother of two and I am very determined to pass! Any one who was a CNA or not trying to pass the Ca. state boards please respond thank you so much.

That sounds very strange to me. I guess the reqs in CA are MUCH different from VA. When I took my CNA and then took my LPN there was certanly a HUUUUGE difference between the two. Good luck.

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I just want to know how your CNA experience and education would enable you to know the wound care and other areas that you have no experience working in (ie: peds, maternity, mental health) required to to write the NCLEX.

Not being critical, just wondering???

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I just want to know how your CNA experience and education would enable you to know the wound care and other areas that you have no experience working in (ie: peds, maternity, mental health) required to to write the NCLEX.

Not being critical, just wondering???

Well the state of Ca. also requires that you have a certain amount of time in each field such as peds, maternity, mental health but mostly in long term care where I have plenty of experience with wound care and mental health and med surg.!!!

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Well the state of Ca. also requires that you have a certain amount of time in each field such as peds, maternity, mental health but mostly in long term care where I have plenty of experience with wound care and mental health and med surg.!!!

I think that having the extra time in those areas would be benificial to anyone entering the field as a licensed/registered nurse. However, there is still a lot of material inbetween CNA and LPN as there is from LPN to RN. My personal feeling is that unless you have had the professional training (by an instructor) on how to do wound care and such - then I probably wouldn't feel comfortable doing it. When I began nursing school I was amazed at how complex each procedure could be..and keeping your sterile hands..and all of that stuff.

However, your CNA class could have involved more regarding your scope of practice for your state - where as VA has different scopes for their CNA's. In either case, I would be mindful of what your scope is as far as BOTH licenses/certifications go =) Either way..good luck with everything!!!

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I think that having the extra time in those areas would be benificial to anyone entering the field as a licensed/registered nurse. However, there is still a lot of material inbetween CNA and LPN as there is from LPN to RN. My personal feeling is that unless you have had the professional training (by an instructor) on how to do wound care and such - then I probably wouldn't feel comfortable doing it. When I began nursing school I was amazed at how complex each procedure could be..and keeping your sterile hands..and all of that stuff.

However, your CNA class could have involved more regarding your scope of practice for your state - where as VA has different scopes for their CNA's. In either case, I would be mindful of what your scope is as far as BOTH licenses/certifications go =) Either way..good luck with everything!!!

Thank you, and I have planned if I do not pass I have all the preq's to enter the nursing program :) And Ca. is one of the tougher states when it comes to training CNA's and testing them.

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we do not have cnas doing wound care...i once worked in a place where the cna supervisor did the treatments..ltc where i work now has an lpn, many ltc have rn tx nurses...i am glad that you have the pharmocology but i believe that you will need more than that to feel comfortable taking test for license..wish you luck i have been in a postion of supporting my children and not having the skills to do it...not an eviable position

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California gives us long term CNA's a chance to challenge the LVN exam through work experience and 54 hours of pharmacology. I am ready to start studying for the exam. Any advice on what I should be concentrating on? Please help. I am a soon to be divorced mother of two and I am very determined to pass! Any one who was a CNA or not trying to pass the Ca. state boards please respond thank you so much.

Wow I would think that would be a hard chew, but sure it could be done if you have an exceptional memory. My thoughts would be to get ahold of any and all PN books I could, and all the review books for any state exams. You need to concentrate on everything cause they question lots but hit some things harder than others.

Good luck to you

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Specializes in Postpartum, Antepartum, Psych., SDS, OR.

We were taught see one do one and teach one in our surgical technologist progran. Having much experience in wound care, yes it is different, but don't you think it was new for all at one time? Some states aren't the teachers that others are just as the particular instution you are working in. I appreciate the training of CNA1, CNA2, and Med. Tech's along with the LPN, LVN and RN's. Realize the different scopes of practice in each instution ( states also) and go from there. We must keep the blinders off as we advance our career's and speek harshely to others of what we might think is not doable and be supportative of each other. We all continue our education as we work and at college as I do and learn to respect what others do as team work. Never stop learning and teaching for tomorrow is a new and different day. Cay

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I am as you are a CNA w/ experience. As a CNA that has worked in long term care too I know where you are comming from. I think you will do just fine. I am not as lucky as you as far as being able to take my test without 12 months of school, but if I had the chance that you have I would take advantage of it. I take my NET this week so I guess I have to go about it a different way. As a CNT you see and learn alot so you will do great! Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :rolleyes:

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I am as you are a CNA w/ experience. As a CNA that has worked in long term care too I know where you are comming from. I think you will do just fine. I am not as lucky as you as far as being able to take my test without 12 months of school, but if I had the chance that you have I would take advantage of it. I take my NET this week so I guess I have to go about it a different way. As a CNT you see and learn alot so you will do great! Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :rolleyes:

Thank you for your positivity. I don't know why I am getting so much negativity, but any way I have worked with great nurses over the years that if I ask a question about something they are glad to answer or show me. Just because I have not had the experience of going to LPN school I feel I have had enough on the job training that I feel I am ready to take the next step. Working in a nursing home you know how many wound cares I have assisted with visually watching of course. I am a fast learner quick on my toes and a motivated woman so watch out!! :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

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