what do I do? failed hesi have to settle for lpn!!

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I just completed a four year BSN program but because I can't pass Hesi, I was told by my proffesors that I could either get my LPN or go to accelerated program. I'm very dissapointed but I'm trusting that God has a better plan for me and it doesn't stop here. I'm interested in taking the LPN test because I have spent so much time studying for my Hesi Exam, that I feel like that knowledge shouldn't just go down the drain. However, I'm from MD and I've been told by several people that LPN are very limited in their work and mostly just work in nursing homes. I really would like to work in a hospital setting if possible. I'm also interested in knowing what the LPN test is like, because this is all new to me. Please share your thoughts and any advice, I would greatly appreciate it.

Specializes in LTC.

What bugs me here is they were straight forward with the fact that passing the HESI was essential for you to pass nursing school. I know there are quite a few schools out there that do this. They let you take the test EIGHT times, and you failed each time. Most nursing schools you get two shots and your out when it comes to failing a course. I can't see how you'd be able to appeal this any further.

Maybe studying for the NCLEX-LPN if you are qualified to take it and then find an LPN-RN bridge. Otherwise check with other nursing schools in the area and see how your credits transfer to their nursing programs.

Best of luck to you.

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Well, I hate to add fuel to the fire but there are more than a few Candian BscNs who have failed our CRNE three times and are unemployable. That's right three strikes and it's all over, re-education time.

They don't even get a shot at "settling" for an PN permit. That's a two year diploma education.

Why do you keep failing a test? After the second attempt, shouldn't you have an idea of what the questions are?

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Specializes in Ortho and Tele med/surg.

My heart cries for you! Hugs and kisses for you. I feel for you because I know how you feel. Do as much research as possible and see if you can get into a program that will accept most of your credits. Do you know exactly what the problem is? Are you just really bad at taking standardized tests? I wish that I could help you because you've worked so hard to get here. Wish you all the best!

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Specializes in IMCU.

Although I stand by my previous posts -- I do wonder what is going on that you took this 8 times and you still did not pass.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I think that your school has to still release papers to the Board of Nursing that you successfully completed their program to even sit for NCLEX-PN, so, I believe you have to ask your school whether or not they will send in the paperwork so you can sit for the LPN exam. They may or may not.

Regarding these ATI and Hesi exams, they seem to slowly emerging into a mandatory requirement for graduation. I have friends that got caught in that situation around 2006 because they failed one semester BEFORE Hesi was a requirement, but because they had to repeat, suddenly, they were faced with the Hesi Demon.

I was in the first class of an LPN program that used ATI, but because they were new, we took the ATI exams but they didn't hold anyone back who failed it. Now, I am hearing that it is mandatory for them.

I do comprehend the OP's frustration and dilemma...I don't believe it is so much that she is 'settling' for LPN, or thinks little of LPNs, but she invested a great deal of time and money to become an RN-BSN. It is almost the equivilent of trying to attend an LPN program, can't pass for some reason, and then having to work as a home health aide. Again, same difference. It is not about looking down on another in this case...it is trying to get over this last hump for sit for NCLEX-RN or what to do in order to at least sit for NCLEX-PN. Best of luck to you!

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There is a school in this area that requires the students to take tests similar to the HESI every semester. If you fail it you cannot progress further until you pass. They also have a limit to how many times you can retake a class.. Schools are becoming more and more ridiculous. It is all a number game to them... Good luck to the OP, but if they knew this was a requirement, I do not think the school has to release any paperwork to the BON allowing them to take NCLEX. They have not completed their course yet technically. At least the OP has the chance to sit for the LPN boards.. Better to have that than nothing like some student nurses I know currently. Let this be a warning to others. If you are having a hard time and fail it a few times make sure you get help.. Don't wait until it is too late! Of course this is just my :twocents:.

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I am sorry to hear that. They should have let you pass. Is so much draining. Talk to them one more time. I am hoping everything works out for you. Don't give up on your dreams. In this life everything and anything is possible.

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Specializes in LT, skilled, IV, pediatrics.

As an LVN, I'm disappointed that you feel this license is "settling" as if it's lower than you are willing to work. I work in a Rehab and there are many, many types of positions that LVN/LPNs work. Clinics, hospitals, medical centers, dr. offices, and of course LTC and Rehabs. I understand you worked hard for your RN and I hope you do get that soon, but please don't call an LPN "settling", there really isn't that much of a difference in the scope of practice.

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I agree with you PM Nurse!!

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As an LVN, I'm disappointed that you feel this license is "settling" as if it's lower than you are willing to work. I work in a Rehab and there are many, many types of positions that LVN/LPNs work. Clinics, hospitals, medical centers, dr. offices, and of course LTC and Rehabs. I understand you worked hard for your RN and I hope you do get that soon, but please don't call an LPN "settling", there really isn't that much of a difference in the scope of practice.

I don't think any one is trying to be disrespectful to you or your license, but I do agree with her sentiment that it would be settling. And I think anyone who has completed nursing school would agree. And in my hospital there is a huge difference in scope of practice.

Beyond that you have to consider the financial aspect as LPN's do make quit a bit less than RNs. As an RN, if a nurse who went for the additional education to be an ARNP and didn't make it I would understand if they expressed that they would be settling to go back to the floor as, "just an RN." I myself would not take offense to this because I would agree.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
As an LVN, I'm disappointed that you feel this license is "settling" as if it's lower than you are willing to work. I work in a Rehab and there are many, many types of positions that LVN/LPNs work. Clinics, hospitals, medical centers, dr. offices, and of course LTC and Rehabs. I understand you worked hard for your RN and I hope you do get that soon, but please don't call an LPN "settling", there really isn't that much of a difference in the scope of practice.

I don't think any one is trying to be disrespectful to you or your license, but I do agree with her sentiment that it would be settling. And I think anyone who has completed nursing school would agree. And in my hospital there is a huge difference in scope of practice.

Beyond that you have to consider the financial aspect as LPN's do make quit a bit less than RNs. As an RN, if a nurse who went for the additional education to be an ARNP and didn't make it I would understand if they expressed that they would be settling to go back to the floor as, "just an RN." I myself would not take offense to this because I would agree.

I agree with Preeps...I don't think that the OP or anyone else in a similar situation is disrespecting the title of LPN. The BSN and LPN programs are like apples and oranges in the sense that the LPN program takes a year or sometimes two tops, while the BSN is about 3-5 years. The OP put time into this with the expectation that she receives the accolades and earnings of a BSN nurse.

I remember when I started LPN school. I was a Patient Care Associate working at a hospital that granted a leave with pay to either become an LPN or RN. I was not interested in the RN route, so, I choose the LPN program. As stated, we had a leave with pay, tuition and books paid to become licensed nurses. I had come with 15 letters of recommendation from several administrators. We were told that if we failed out, we would have to repay not just the tuition, but the salary paid during our leave. Well, there were many students that failed out because since we were on campus and not being supervised by our administration, they were tempted and unwisely succumbed to creating short schedules and then getting second jobs, etc... They came back to the job with egg on their faces and didn't become nurses AT ALL. So, they didn't even get to 'settle' for anything. I felt their pain, and it made me even more determined to at least get my LPN license, or the entire exercise of getting recommendations, anticipating the salary and opportunity increase a total waste of time.

If I were the OP and I had a chance to take NCLEX-PN, I would certainly do it, with the plan to somehow fight this demon and move on to my BSN if I could. To me, a person is more disrespectful when they say the common things; that we are not nurses, we are fools to settle for the LPN route to begin with, that we don't contribute to the health care team...

One of the reasons why we LPNs are, in fact so sensitive to comments like this is because we hear it every day.

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My BSN program changed their curriculum and decided to no longer approve the early NCLEX RN after completion of 75% of the program. Although this was obviously unfair to change the rules without grandfathering everyone that the old rules pertained to, they put out to the students this affected, "You will be allowed to take the NCLEX PN instead". Therefore the students who needed to work got LVN licenses instead of their RN licenses early. They did not choose to "settle" for LVN licenses. The school forced them into this option by not following through with the same rules of the ball game that were in place when the students started their program. Sometimes you have to take what you can get under the circumstances.

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