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.

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.!!!

That's just it I do have experience in those areas fortunetly I have worked in nursing homes where Certified Nursing Assistant means assisting the nurse literally. I've worked mental health in a top hospital I do one on one home health care for children of all ages and disabilities. And I'm always asking questions and observing.

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

Thank you for your positivety!!!!!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
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!! :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

As a former nurse assistant and a recent LPN grad, I want you to not take the quotes as negativity but reality. nursing assistant and the acutal nurse is different by was of not only technical skill but why do you need to perform a skill and when is it appropriate, plus when should another skill be in place to complement a skill, and the right way to perform procedures w/o "short cuts" as well as the exposure to not only rotate in LTC but maternity, med-surg, peds, etc.

I understand you might not have a desire to move on from LTC, but what if? There might be a maternity, OR, med-surg job with your name on it and you won't have the exposure to experience that you need if you take the LPN exam. I hope you decide to take a course instead of the test only to expand your horizons;

If you decide to take the test: there are several books I am using to prepare to take my boards: Nursing Incredibly EAsy Series, and Saunders. Mosby book is good also.

Good luck.

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Just my 2 cents and remember that is all it is. I was a CNA before getting excepted to the LVN program here in TX and I am over half way through, there is no comparison, none at all.

Good luck, let us know how you do.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

This is true .Being a LVN requires a certin depth of knowledge and critical thinking that only developes as you go to nursing school. Nobody should want to cheat thereself on a education. A CNA with 54 hours of Pharm ,no way can compare to the knowledge a LVN must have. I know the board of CA requires anyone who is a LVN to attend a accrediated school of nursing, plus they require x amount of clinical time. However, they do give a good amount of credit to qualified CNA's toward nursing school. Once again though this is at an accrediated school. All this is on the CA BVN website. I truly am not trying to be negative but, the original poster needs to think about some other things. You may have experience as a CNA but it is not nurse experience. You also would not want to put your patients at jeopardy. Plus if something did happen the medical malpractice lawyers would have a field day with you. This is why I have a hard time believing this could be allowed, the CA-BOVN job is to ensure the public that they are being cared for by qualified individuals that practice within their scope of practice. I am not trying to offend anyone but this is just reality.

Just my 2 cents and remember that is all it is. I was a CNA before getting excepted to the LVN program here in TX and I am over half way through, there is no comparison, none at all.

Good luck, let us know how you do.

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Minnay Institute offers CNA to LVN review program and they pharmacology is accredited by the board of CA. The website is http://www.minnay.com

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Good luck with your endeavors :up:

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