Difference between the LPN and RN Nclex Exam

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Feb 5, 2012

In my opinion the LPN exam was harder. The RN exam was much easier for me. I knew what to expect and what to focus on. My practicing as a LPN really helped too. I was way more familiar with a lot more medications and diseases and nursing interventions. No, nclex is not "real world" but it did help that I have experience.

You will do fine. I passed both LPN and RN boards first time and min. questions.

Sanie07 · Feb 5, 2012

nurselovejoy88 you just made me cringe, lol! i took nclex-rn last year but failed. i got 265 mostly infection control (w/c i should have mastered) prioritization & delegation and some other stuff, didn't make it. and now that you said that, i am kinda worried w/ the pn. i am gonna take nclex-pn (this feb 23rd) thought its easier than the rn. no? how was your exams?

sharpeimom · Feb 5, 2012

i've never taken the lpn exam, but had to take the rn version again when i moved to a new state, and the biggest difference when i took it the second time four years later, was that i wasn't so panicky and i could actually concentrate on the questions. i was dean's list in college but have always panicked when faced with an objective test instead of an essay exam, and the nclex was no exception. passing it with a decent score the first time bolstered my confidence plus i'd had some experience, so the questions weren't strictly academic.

unfortunately, my mom's suggestion for another answer choice has never been added... darn it! it was "run like h*ll!"

Mm3p4 · Feb 5, 2012

Thanks. That makes me feel better. I keep hearing all this panic going on. I remember thinking after taking the test. Wow! Why did the computer just turn off soo quickly?? It was about an hour or so after starting and I was expecting to be there for several hours. I thought that I had either done really really bad or very well. It turnes out that I did pass, can't even remember my score now. It is funny how you can walk out after takng a test like that and just not know, because some of the questions can go either way. I really think that sometimes it is more about understanding the question and what they are really asking rather than all the knowledge stuffed in your head.So I am going to try and relax, relax and relax!!!!

caliotter3 · Feb 6, 2012

My classmates who took both versions all said that the LPN test was more difficult, but I believe that was because it was their first experience taking the test. When they took the RN version, they had a more solid confidence base to work with as well as most likely a better knowledge base because of more study. Just prepare for the exam. That is enough to be concerned with.

Mm3p4 · Feb 6, 2012

Thanks! It is starting to sound that way and it makes a lot of sense. I don't think I am going to be a jummble of nerves this time because I know what to expect and it is NOT that bad! :nurse:

mommynurse25 · Apr 13, 2012

Does anyone know what the differences are in the Nclex/RN and the Nclex/LPN exam? I don't remember the Lpn/Nclex being that bad. The hardest part was trying to relax so I could think straight!

HELLO... ive taken my rn board 3 times and failed i thought it was hard hard... i sat for lpn boards and only studied for 3 weeks using the ncsbn learning extension.. i had the min number in 50 min.. and i passed. i really dont know what was different i was more relaxed and confident and just answered questions. im taking rn again soon.. hoping i can rock it like i did llpn!!

Selene006, BSN, LPN · Apr 13, 2012

I've taken the LPN Board once and the RN Board once. I prepared more for the LPN exam because I was anxious and wanted to do well. I didn't prepare very much for the RN exam, probably because I was already a practicing nurse and was mentally tired from being in nursing school!

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Apr 13, 2012

I think it is all relative. Scope of practice & proper delegation is a difference. M

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Apr 13, 2012

i've never taken the lpn exam, but had to take the rn version again when i moved to a new state, and the biggest difference when i took it the second time four years later, was that i wasn't so panicky and i could actually concentrate on the questions. i was dean's list in college but have always panicked when faced with an objective test instead of an essay exam, and the nclex was no exception. passing it with a decent score the first time bolstered my confidence plus i'd had some experience, so the questions weren't strictly academic.

unfortunately, my mom's suggestion for another answer choice has never been added... darn it! it was "run like h*ll!"

sorry, i'm going ot for a minute, but....why did you have to take the nclex again? why couldn't you simply get an endorsement to your license for the new state?

sharpeimom · Apr 13, 2012

i had taken it four years before but hadn't had a nursing job that entire time. nursing was my second career and i worked at my old proofreading/copyright job waiting for my dream job to appear. dumb move, i know. the second state suggested it, treating me more

or less as a newer grad.