I just feel that I'm going to get a lot of flak on this, but here goes...Since there's such a nursing shortage, why not let LPN's take the RN test with some parameters? I just thought of a few:
5 years minimum experience
letter of recommendation from supervisor
must be IV certified ahead of time
More?
They would take the same test, study from the same study guides that are available. If someone felt especially weak in say, med conversions, they could take an algebra review or brush upon on what they learned in school beforehand.
If they didn't pass, well, do what the other students do and try, try again.
You're not going to pass the test if you're not up on the latest information, and it would happen whether or not you were an RN or LPN or BSN or MSN for that matter!
I just think it makes sense in light of the nursing shortage. There won't be a tremendously long wait to get into an LPN-RN school. It would make a hugh difference in patient care. It would also help to keep jobs from being filled from overseas workers. We really should try to hire citizens first, anyway. It seems the RN organizations would be diametrically opposed, but I don't understand why. After all, they are the ones that are crying the most about a nursing shortage and demanding action.
And, BTW, why don't state nursing organizations allow LPN's to joint?? They are nurses, right???
Just a thought..
mc3:nurse:
Kind of simplistic, I know, but I've always wondered about it...