Failed out of RN program, Getting head straight for LPN exam

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jul 21, 2015

Are you certain that you are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN? Some states mandate that you graduate from a PN program, some states will permit an RN student in good standing (not one that did not pass) to take the NCLEX PN if they passed clinical/theory in adult med surg, geriatrics, pediatrics, obstetrics and mental health/psych. States that require LPNs to graduate from a program will not accept a LPN license for endorsement from a state that has alternate requirements (ie if you take the NCLEX-PN in NH as a partial completion of an RN program you cannot endorse your license yo TX, PA, or NJ that require you to graduate from a PN program )

There are similarities but scope of practice is pretty different. You would have the potential do better with an NCLEX PN book since you were not educated as a PN.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 21, 2015

I cannot think of a State that would allow someone who has not successfully graduated from either an RN or PN program to take the NCLEX-PN. I suspect the OP would be ineligible based on his failure from the RN program.

Seems the OP has some research to do.....

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Jul 21, 2015

Why don't you figure out where you failed/what tripped you up then apply back into the program instead of trying to take the NCLEX-PN (if you can).

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jul 21, 2015

Here ya go - OK rules will allow OP to take NCLEX-PN. The guidelines (in the link) and process seem pretty clear.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jul 21, 2015

Here ya go - OK rules will allow OP to take NCLEX-PN. The guidelines (in the link) and process seem pretty clear.

How did you figure out OP is in OK? I know CA will let you..

OP is not eligible as you must have a 2.0 GPA and a C or better in all nursing classes. They failed a class fourth semester so therefore are not eligible.

pixiestudent2 · Jul 21, 2015

Florida will let him too.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jul 21, 2015

Florida will let him too.

Even if he failed a nursing class? OK says a C or better in all nursing classes. Dismissed for failing a nursing class = not eligible.

pixiestudent2 · Jul 21, 2015

Even if he failed a nursing class? OK says a C or better in all nursing classes. Dismissed for failing a nursing class = not eligible.

I'm pretty sure, I emailed their BON before and they told me I'd be eligible to take it under similar circumstances. I ended up finishing my rN program, so I didn't actually try it.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jul 21, 2015

I'm pretty sure, I emailed their BON before and they told me I'd be eligible to take it under similar circumstances. I ended up finishing my rN program, so I didn't actually try it.

Interesting. CA has a similar set up.

Grizaptimus · Jul 22, 2015

Thanks for all the responses!

At least how it was explained to me (on multiple occasions by many different people), as long as you pass your 3rd semester classes you are good to go. It was explained to me as follows, 4th semester is considered "above" the level of LPN, so therefore as long as you can pass everything that is considered important for practice as an LPN you are good to go. Now failing 4th semester does hurt my GPA and will make it more difficult to get back into another RN program, but as at least all the competing programs start in the fall and the deadlines for those were before i even took my final, the earliest i could get back into one is fall of 2016. Having minions to feed necessitates less perfect but more expedient solution.

I just need advice on the best/most efficient method of changing my mindset to that of the LPN. As i said previously while we learned a good deal about the role and responsibility of the LPN, the fact remains that I was being trained to think as an RN. Perhaps I am just being overly cautions, but I just want to make sure I am not missing anything blindingly obvious.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jul 22, 2015

Thanks for all the responses!
At least how it was explained to me (on multiple occasions by many different people), as long as you pass your 3rd semester classes you are good to go. It was explained to me as follows, 4th semester is considered "above" the level of LPN, so therefore as long as you can pass everything that is considered important for practice as an LPN you are good to go. Now failing 4th semester does hurt my GPA and will make it more difficult to get back into another RN program, but as at least all the competing programs start in the fall and the deadlines for those were before i even took my final, the earliest i could get back into one is fall of 2016. Having minions to feed necessitates less perfect but more expedient solution.
I just need advice on the best/most efficient method of changing my mindset to that of the LPN. As i said previously while we learned a good deal about the role and responsibility of the LPN, the fact remains that I was being trained to think as an RN. Perhaps I am just being overly cautions, but I just want to make sure I am not missing anything blindingly obvious.

First, confirm with your BoN (not just what others tell you) that you are eligible. In OK you would be not as you did not earn a C in all your nursing classes by failing even though you completed three semesters. You must have successfully completed adult,geriatric, pediatrics, obstetrics, and psych/mental health plus pharmacology. You did not state which course you failed that resulted in your dismissal.

Many schools spread the required course work across all four semesters so if you didn't cover all areas you won't have been exposed to all required content areas.

Second, if you are eligible you often need approval from your RN program director, ensure that he/she will sign off on the paperwork.

Third, look at the OK application linked above. The last set of pages is relative to LPN practice & scope. It's a good base to start. Check if your BoN has an online link to LPN scope of practice. Go to the library and look at NCLEX-PN prep books (most book stores keep these behind the counter now due to abuse by people "studying")