I was LPN in the Army but never took Nclex

U.S.A. Illinois

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Hello everyone my name is Calvin. I attended LPN school in the Army 13 years ago, but I never took the NCLex. I am now interesting in getting into nurse, Does anyone know if I would have to take PN course from scratch, or can I take a review course. Please help.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Were you ever licensed in any state?

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Were you ever licensed in any state?

I was never licensed in any state.

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Thirteen years ago and never licensed? How long ago did you last practice as an PN? Would not be LPN since there was never any license issued.

Most states are going to require that you attend school again, especially if you have been away from the field for that long. So much has changed. And to take a refresher course requires that you have a license. A review course? You would be better off with a new course for the year.....just too much information, unless you just got out of the service.

At least in my opinion.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I was never licensed in any state.
In that case, it is truthfully looking as if you will need to start all over and attend a nursing program from scratch. I wish you the best of luck. :)
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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

Im pretty sure you will have to go through the LPN course at the school of your choice from scratch. You may get some special consideration for placement since you were in the military, but to license in the state you have to have completed the course and attended a specified number of clinical contact hours and graduated from an accredited school. Unfortunatly the military doesnt get accreditation.

Good luck

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

I do not know that you can legally refer to yourself as an LPN if you have not been licensed anywhere (LPN=LICENSED practical nurse). And in most places, GPN status expires within 6-24 monthes after graduation.

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Thanks a lot for the help. Since I have do the LPN program from scratch, I have decided to go and get a BSN.

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Have you applied for your transcripts from the military training you recieved? Some colleges accept them and count that experience as credit towards some classes, at least that is what I was told from my counselor.

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I submitted them to the College of Lake County, and they gave me credit for First Aid and Sports. Which school evaluated your transcript.

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Hello everyone my name is Calvin. I attended LPN school in the Army 13 years ago, but I never took the NCLex. I am now interesting in getting into nurse, Does anyone know if I would have to take PN course from scratch, or can I take a review course. Please help.

Hi Calvbee,

You may also want to ask in the military nurse forum here too.

Possibly you could challange to take the NCLEX PN based upon your transcripts from your training...not sure, worth a shot?

Gen

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I spoke to the director of the Rn program, and said I can challenge the 1st two classes.

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