I am an Australian and I do not understand the American levels of Nursing

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2006

There is a stickie somewhere let me go find it and I'll be back

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2006

Ok back here is the link I hope

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/glossary-nursing-medical-degrees-certifications-113134.html

bethem · Jun 19, 2006

From what I know:

RN = RN

LVN/LPN = EN (regular and med. endorsed)

CNA = AIN - but the AINs employed in hospitals are generally nursing students, while AINs in aged care or disability care have usually done a TAFE certificate.

Hope this helps.

nambour51 · Jun 19, 2006

Thanks for this thread. I too have been difficulty following some threads beacuse I do not understand the American levels.

I would also like some info about the various tests that seem very important. Why are they so important?

TazziRN, RN · Jun 19, 2006

Thanks for this thread. I too have been difficulty following some threads beacuse I do not understand the American levels.
I would also like some info about the various tests that seem very important. Why are they so important?

Which tests? You mean the NCLEX? That's the one that determines whether or not we get our licenses.

nambour51 · Jun 21, 2006

Thanks. Does that mean after you graduate from uni/nursing school you still have to do the NCLEX? Why are some posters concerned about the number of questions they get? Is this a once only exam or do you have to sit it again if you want to register in another state? Just curious.

AussieTina · Jun 21, 2006

Thanks. Does that mean after you graduate from uni/nursing school you still have to do the NCLEX? Why are some posters concerned about the number of questions they get? Is this a once only exam or do you have to sit it again if you want to register in another state? Just curious.

Do we do the NCLEX here in Aussie land? Or is it after we have finished our 3rd year at Uni and have passed the exams that we are able to get our registration?

This is something that i wanted to know, but kept forgetting to ask someone at UNI.

Tina

meme39 · Jun 21, 2006

Tina we do not do the NCLEX test here in Australia. I have never even heard of it before I came here. I just graduated from University and got a job on a transition program, no more tests. Hope this helps

swatch007 · Jun 21, 2006

Tina we do not do the NCLEX test here in Australia. I have never even heard of it before I came here. I just graduated from University and got a job on a transition program, no more tests. Hope this helps

Meme39, thank you for sharing info. Keep reading different posts and topics on this website because they are very informative, and our fellow members here are very helpful and willing to share their knowledge. I have learned a lot from this site.

Keep sharing

lindarn · Jun 21, 2006

Hello,
I am a RN and I live in Australia and I am unfamiliar with the various levels of nursing in America which makes it hard when I read a thread. If anyone could help me I would appreciated very much.
feeling confused.

Don't feel confused about the differant levels of nursing here in the US. Everyone else here is confused as well. Nurses, doctors, patients, visitors, etc. In spite of this, the ANA can't see to get its act together to agree on a uniform, educational, entry into practice. It is the main cause of disunity here among nurses, and gives the hospitals a reason to de- value our professional practice. And underpays us, as well. They would rather keep nurses, "barefoot and pregnant", and undereducated, as compared to the other health care professionals in this country.

Other health care professionals here, (Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Pharmacists, Social Workers), increased thier entry into practice to a Masters, and now, some, Doctorate. Who, by the way, have achieved financial success by increasing their educational entry into practice. They easily earn two to three times than an RN makes. But no one can seem connect the dots, and break the log jam that makes up the ANA. That is why I no longer work as a nurse, I exclusively do Legal Nurse Consulting, and work for attorneys.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Jun 22, 2006

The minimum # of questions you have to answer in the NCLEX is 75. Max is 265. The number of questions depends on your answers to the ones that you are given. Therefore any number can be a pass or a fail, and you won't find out for days to up to a month. The test can be repeated if you fail, I think 3 months later. Some people take it several times before passing. It doesn't mean they are bad nurses, though. I know some excellent nurses who had to retake the boards.

You don't have to retake to work in a different state, but you have to apply to the BON of that state for a licence.