Is a physical exam required before being licensed as an LPN

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2015

Since this thread contains an inquiry about LPN licensing, it has been moved to the LPN / LVN Corner forum. We wish the OP's daughter the best of luck.

Whispera, MSN, RN · Oct 9, 2015

I'm concerned. A physical exam and direct questions about physical and emotional status will probably be required at some point, either to get into nursing school, to get into clinicals, or to get a job. Pretending there aren't any issues isn't going to help your daughter. The exam as well as questions asked on forms are intended to make sure candidates can perform their duties without any interference from physical or emotional conditions. It wouldn't be fair to your daughter or the money she would spend to become an LPN to find ways to avoid the physical or answer the questions in a questionable manner.

Nursing school is physically difficult, as well as emotionally overwhelming for many. Loading that on top of back problems or emotional problems, if they aren't stable, could make your daughter fail in her goal as well as overwhelm her and make her ill.

Please reconsider what you're thinking...

enuf_already · Oct 9, 2015

OP, are you sure an LPN is the correct career path for your daughter to reach her goal?

You keep mentioning patient advocate/navigator and a university certification. You are aware that an LPN is not a degree? As others have mentioned, LPNs primarily work in extended care facilities (not all) which can be back breaking for those with no back issues.

LPN sit down jobs would be a rarity. Case managers and patient navigators typically require a minimum Bachelors degree and experience or a Master's degree.

As far as physical...her LPN program will likely require a history and physical exam to prove fitness for the program. If your daughter cannot perform the physical duties required for the program, she will not be granted admission--or she won't pass the program. The same goes for a pre-employment physical.

You seem quite focused on the mental health question and access to previous health records. My interpretation of the question regarding whether you have a mental illness where you are safe to practice doesn't matter that she's never been a nurse. Is she safe to practice? Does her mental health issue affect her ability to make sound clinical judgements and care for her patients on a daily basis? If there is any question to this she can ask her psychiatrist.

nurs4kids · Oct 9, 2015

OP, I just acquired a job as a case manager....after twenty years RN experience, AND a BSN. I think others are trying to be nice, but I am going to be blunt to try to save your daughter from wasting tons of money, AND the mental anguish of nursing school. Nursing school is no place for someone who is mentally OR physically fragile; it is hard as hell, period. And if, by some chance, she made it past that, then her chances of obtaining a case manager job as a LVN/LPN with little or no experience is almost impossible. They want degrees, AND experience as a floor nurse. Also, a position as a case manager is mentally taxing; I am not sure she really wants to do that either!

Kudos to your daughter for continuing to push in spite of her health issues!!! Good luck!

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Oct 9, 2015

My concern is the parent asking this. As an adult, shouldn't the daughter be asking? I have seen ads for the pt advocate cert.....money scheme. No guarantee of job. As others have said, LPN is a tech certificate. An actual case management job or other desk job requires higher level of education, and experience on the floor. And even with education, no guarantee of job. Many markets flooded with grads physically and mentally able to get the experience and education needed with no questions asked. Most hospitals do not even consider LPNs for hire due to credentialing status. I'd think the money would be best spent on another degree that can meet her needs.

JerseyTomatoMDCrab, BSN · Oct 9, 2015

The reality of the situation is twofold:

1) Regardless of the sort of job she hopes to get after licensure, your daughter is going to have to make it through the very physical aspect of nursing school clinicals before she even has a chance at applying for one of the "desk jobs" you are referencing. Nursing students are highly utilized on clinical floors for turning, transfers, bed baths and assisting with OOB, not to mention to physical exam to enter the program to begin with. I'm not saying her preexisting back problems will absolutely stop her from getting into the program, but it's possible.

2) The likelihood of her getting a "desk job" at all is very uncertain. What happens if she passes her boards and the only offers she is getting are at LTC facilities? Those jobs are the very epitome of physical. Is she going to turn down a job there holding out for a patient advocacy position? Those type of clerical nurse jobs are few and far between and, like so many PP mentioned, often require years of experience and at least a BSN.

I would hate for your daughter to put all of her eggs in one basket only to find that she chose the wrong path to get to her desired goal. I for one have never heard of an LPN working in any type of advocacy, case management or leadership role. I'm not entirely certain an LPN is the right route for someone who wants to work in these types of positions.

As far as not wanting to spend a lot of money for a degree, the reality of the job market in America today is you have to spend money to make money. Those highly coveted "desk jobs" have a lot of perks and with good reason: you need education and experience to snag one. These jobs pay well because those who work them have spent a great deal of money and time working for the degrees that qualify them. Furthermore, there are candidates with the degrees and the experience to qualify for these jobs and even THEY can't get hired. It's just the way things work, unfortunately.

I think your daughter needs to be the ones asking these questions. It's a little strange that she isn't venturing these questions herself. Are you going to go on school or job interviews with her, too? I don't want to sound rude but if she is so set on a career path, it's time to start making connections and networking on her own. You can be her cheerleader at home

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Oct 9, 2015

The reality of the situation is twofold:
1) Regardless of the sort of job she hopes to get after licensure, your daughter is going to have to make it through the very physical aspect of nursing school clinicals before she even has a chance at applying for one of the "desk jobs" you are referencing. Nursing students are highly utilized on clinical floors for turning, transfers, bed baths and assisting with OOB, not to mention to physical exam to enter the program to begin with. I'm not saying her preexisting back problems will absolutely stop her from getting into the program, but it's possible.
2) The likelihood of her getting a "desk job" at all is very uncertain. What happens if she passes her boards and the only offers she is getting are at LTC facilities? Those jobs are the very epitome of physical. Is she going to turn down a job there holding out for a patient advocacy position? Those type of clerical nurse jobs are few and far between and, like so many PP mentioned, often require years of experience and at least a BSN.
I would hate for your daughter to put all of her eggs in one basket only to find that she chose the wrong path to get to her desired goal. I for one have never heard of an LPN working in any type of advocacy, case management or leadership role. I'm not entirely certain an LPN is the right route for someone who wants to work in these types of positions.
As far as not wanting to spend a lot of money for a degree, the reality of the job market in America today is you have to spend money to make money. Those highly coveted "desk jobs" have a lot of perks and with good reason: you need education and experience to snag one. These jobs pay well because those who work them have spent a great deal of money and time working for the degrees that qualify them. Furthermore, there are candidates with the degrees and the experience to qualify for these jobs and even THEY can't get hired. It's just the way things work, unfortunately.
I think your daughter needs to be the ones asking these questions. It's a little strange that she isn't venturing these questions herself. Are you going to go on school or job interviews with her, too? I don't want to sound rude but if she is so set on a career path, it's time to start making connections and networking on her own. You can be her cheerleader at home

This^^^^

not2bblue · Oct 13, 2015

I am an PN instructor in the State of Florida. Since you have stopped answering, I am not sure if you are still interested, but.... There are only so many disabilities that will stop someone from becoming a nurse; it is illegal to state specifically that a disabled person can't work because of the ADA. Mental illness is not necessarily a reason not to allow someone to be a nurse, but if she is medically unstable, than that is different than someone who simply needs a prescription daily for a disease (similar to a person taking a medication for a thyroid disorder every morning, this doesn't by itself make someone unable to work) so no, unless she has been hospitalized or suicidal, then depression alone doesn't mean she can't be a nurse. She may or may not get into nursing school with her back injuries. It depends on if she can handle the demands and if a physician will sign off on her. In reality, the NCLEX is not the concern. It is getting into school. (I laughed about the comment it "isn't the BON business". You both should research the penalty area of the Nurse Practice Act, passing the NCLEX is not the end of the relationship with the BON- they do intervene if a person is considered unfit to be a nurse.)

In all honesty, your daughter's goal is really NOT LPN related. The fact is, she has about a 1% chance of geting a case management job as an LPN- and even then they DO pull them to work on the floor when they are short staffed in some facilities. Although LPN is a great career for many people, they are on the bottom rung of nursing (A CNA is not a nurse). Pretending that the LPN has the same education as someone with a Masters or Bachelors is insulting to those who put in 6 or more years of education to 1 year of training.

I would say that she should discuss MA with someone since they do work in an office and although she will be on her feet, it is not the same demands as caring for bed bound patients. Bonus, they usually only work M-F, no weekends or holidays, and few evenings. Also, they get paid almost the same as an LPN. Otherwise, she needs to enroll in a college at the BSN level- minimally. Don't let the price or time put in confuse you. If you want to have a high quality job in health care, you need to get a higher level of education.

kenny_longtin · Nov 25, 2015

Thanks for all the answers! So it looks like BSN is the way to go if she wants to do case management (desk job) type of nursing. I have seen patient advocate positions with agencies with one of the requirements being LPN, however. Though maybe these are bogus...

one thing to clear up: To work as a nurse in a hospital---is it the same as for nursing school? You go through a physical exam and a doctor signs off on you? Or do they also request all past medical records to see what physical ailments (back problems) you've been treated for in the past?

Whispera, MSN, RN · Nov 25, 2015

She will probably have to have a physical when she gets a job. It will include answering questions about her medical and psychiatric history. It will also include a drug test. Usually this is done wherever the employer requires, not at a person's family doctor's office. The physical might be a really simple thing. The drug test will show if she takes any medications for anxiety if they are benzodiazepines. That will alert people that she has anxiety. If she doesn't disclose that she has the disorder on questioning, it will be a problem.

I'm very concerned that the pressure of nursing school, both emotional and physical (both are extreme at times), will hurt her, even if her back and emotional conditions are stable now.