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 Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
and i think anyone who has completed nursing school would agree.
both programs are forms of nursing school. one is a practical/vocational nursing program, and the other is a professional registered nursing program. therefore, all of the lpns in society have completed nursing school, as did all of the rns.
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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Both programs are forms of nursing school. One is a practical/vocational nursing program, and the other is a professional registered nursing program. Therefore, all of the LPNs in society have completed nursing school, as did all of the RNs.

I think that is the issue that hits a sore spot for most LPNs...we did attend a nursing school, had to take a licensure exam in order to practice and can lose our licenses the same as an RN. And, then, many LPNs are taken advantage of by having cheaper nurses to do the similar skills.

I hope that the OP can settle her dilemma...these schools really do play games.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

The good news is that in MD there are more opportunities for LPNs than many other states and the money isn't bad. Last I knew it was low 20s with health benefits and high 20s for PRN. The bad news is that schools have different requirements for graduation although I don't find that illegal or unethical. Personally I disliked HESI and didn't feel it was even close to NCLEX but no one asked me. Without even commenting on ridiculous fact that some people were allowed to take it 7 times I don't think it is unreasonable to expect students to meet certain guidelines for graduation. Of course it is a ploy to ensure good NCLEX pass rates but despite how unpopular this line of thinking might be it is equally important to be adept at processing test material as it is to be clinically proficient. I've worked with both types and neither makes a safe nurse, imo.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
The good news is that in MD there are more opportunities for LPNs than many other states and the money isn't bad. Last I knew it was low 20s with health benefits and high 20s for PRN. The bad news is that schools have different requirements for graduation although I don't find that illegal or unethical. Personally I disliked HESI and didn't feel it was even close to NCLEX but no one asked me. Without even commenting on ridiculous fact that some people were allowed to take it 7 times I don't think it is unreasonable to expect students to meet certain guidelines for graduation. Of course it is a ploy to ensure good NCLEX pass rates but despite how unpopular this line of thinking might be it is equally important to be adept at processing test material as it is to be clinically proficient. I've worked with both types and neither makes a safe nurse, imo.

To be honest, I don't believe there is a system, school or exam that can really assure the public of a safe and competent nurse. The usual case scenerio is that if you get in, play the game and pass, the license is added to your name and the public may be at risk. There is an RN I know that said one time it doesn't make a difference which insulin you give someone when questioned why she's administering Lantus rather than Aspart. And, she's still walking around, folks...:confused:

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The good news is that in MD there are more opportunities for LPNs than many other states and the money isn't bad. Last I knew it was low 20s with health benefits and high 20s for PRN. The bad news is that schools have different requirements for graduation although I don't find that illegal or unethical. Personally I disliked HESI and didn't feel it was even close to NCLEX but no one asked me. Without even commenting on ridiculous fact that some people were allowed to take it 7 times I don't think it is unreasonable to expect students to meet certain guidelines for graduation. Of course it is a ploy to ensure good NCLEX pass rates but despite how unpopular this line of thinking might be it is equally important to be adept at processing test material as it is to be clinically proficient. I've worked with both types and neither makes a safe nurse, imo.

Hi Jules, That was an interesting well communicated post, but I do have a question. I was interested in your last comment regarding working with both types and neither make a safe nurse. I'm not sure if I follow, what two types, one being the one that isn't adept at test taking, but what is the other type you are refering to?

I was suprised in nursing school how many times test questions were thrown out in order for more people to pass. At my school we started with 80 students and went down to 28. After that they started making a lot of exceptions because they couldn't afford to lose any more.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Hi Jules, That was an interesting well communicated post, but I do have a question. I was interested in your last comment regarding working with both types and neither make a safe nurse. I'm not sure if I follow, what two types, one being the one that isn't adept at test taking, but what is the other type you are refering to?

I was suprised in nursing school how many times test questions were thrown out in order for more people to pass. At my school we started with 80 students and went down to 28. After that they started making a lot of exceptions because they couldn't afford to lose any more.

Hi, thanks for asking for clarification and I'll see if I can explain. In school there was quite a bit of heart ache as someone who was excellent in clinicals, great with the patiets and procedures failed a course and was kicked out of the program. We did a lot of lamenting about the ones with "book smarts" that were being pushed through despite barely being able to give a bedbath to keep the NCLEX pass rates high. I can remember complaining to a professor who said their goal was to graduate the complete package and that book knowledge was equally important. Now I understand what she meant as I work with different nurses. If I had to pick I would still rather work with someone with good skills over someone who aced NCLEX and can't give an injection but I do see how comptetency in both are ideal. For example I work with a nurse who is great with the patients, works like a machine and her work is accurate however she lacks the drive and possibly intellect to continue gaining knowledge especially about medication that would make her an exceptional nurse.

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To be honest, I don't believe there is a system, school or exam that can really assure the public of a safe and competent nurse. The usual case scenerio is that if you get in, play the game and pass, the license is added to your name and the public may be at risk. There is an RN I know that said one time it doesn't make a difference which insulin you give someone when questioned why she's administering Lantus rather than Aspart. And, she's still walking around, folks...:confused:

I worked with her clone, up here in Canada. Truly a scary, scary, nurse in more ways than one.

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I worked with her clone, up here in Canada. Truly a scary, scary, nurse in more ways than one.

Well, that is horrible and I blame the institution for that.

And I agree, an exam that has 90% pass rate is probably not very hard but up until recently the demand for nurses must have had some play in the decision. I went to nursing school with a nurse that always stated, I never passed a cardiac exam in school but I work on a cardiac PCU floor. Scary.

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contact the attorney general of your state and also the better business bureau.

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