LPN boards while in RN program-Help

CRNAsoon · Apr 23, 2004

I am in a BS program and took the LPN boards last summer between my junior and senior year. I wasn't going to study at all beforehand, but about two days before the test, I started cramming because I felt a little guilty. I focused on growth/development, lab values, and general med-surg for about 8 hours and then just gave up thinking, "If I don't know it by now then I'm not going to master it in two days". I shut off at 80 something questions and I felt the test was extremely easy. It was so easy, in fact, that I walked out of the test thinking that I must not know anything. How could it be that easy? Anyway, I passed and it really pumped up my confidence level. I would do it again in a minute.

Hello,
New to the board and love it. I am a nursing student (RN) but will challenge the LPN boards this summer. The problem is I graduate in Dec and a lot of people are saying it is not worth it, but I need to make more money because I have to pay tuition. Am I making the right choice or wasting my money? I also need to remember that there is no guarantee I will pass the LPN boards.
If anyone has done this please let my know what you did to study and if you were successful. I have a lot of confidence in myself @ least for the LPN boards because I am a very good student and always get between 70-80 out of 100 when I practice on Saunders, but I am very nervous about the RN boards, haven't really practiced for those yet.
Thanks,
Tamara
Can't wait to graduate "DECEMBER 2004"

Erin RN · Apr 23, 2004

Hi

I took my LPN boards in Oct of my last year of RN school, I graduated in June. I didn't study for the LPN boards at all and I passed. Are the LPN boards on the computer now also? I took them at the Tacoma dome with several hundred other people..If I remember correctly there were 200 plus questions. I went there with a friend who was in my nursing program, she didn't pass. It was worth it for me, at the time I was working as a nursing technician at 10.00/ hr the LPN increased my pay up to 13.50 and then the RN up to 15.50. Of course this was over 10 yrs ago..I don't remember the test being all that hard though..

amanda44 · Apr 23, 2004

Well honestly I wish I would of took them when I was in college. I have taken my boards 3 times and still have not passed, and I got a 4.0 every semester in college. If you happen to fail the boards, it will give you something to fall back on. I wish I had done it..........

danaRN2b · Apr 23, 2004

The program I will be entering in the fall requires its students to take the LPN board after the first year, before we can start the second year to get ready for the RN boards.

teelaticeNY · Apr 24, 2004

Thanks for the great advice. I really wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing. Did any one study for the LPN before taking it?

You guys are quick the other sites I go to no one ever answers my questions.

Tamara

Erin RN · Apr 24, 2004

Tamara

I didn't study but it couldn't hurt to get a review book to go over what usually is covered on the test..it seems like I had a lot of psychosocial, caretaking kind of questions versus meds and patho stuff..It was a long time ago but I remember thinking this is common sense as I was going along. It is worth your time!! If you work as an LPN even for a few months you will have a leg up when you take the RN boards. I worked sub acute long term care for that 8 months and when I sat for the RN boards I had many questions on COPD, CHF, Diabetes..I was very comfortable with all of those illnesses, treatment, meds etc..One thing strange when I took my RN boards..I had 5 questions on Meneire's disease..I think it took up a small paragraph in my nursing book..I was lucky, my mom has Meneire's so I knew the answers. I just thought it was strange since it is not common and many nurses will never even be faced with it in their lifetime..Good Luck! Erin

Erin RN · Apr 24, 2004

Tamara

I didn't study but it couldn't hurt to get a review book to go over what usually is covered on the test..it seems like I had a lot of psychosocial, caretaking kind of questions versus meds and patho stuff..It was a long time ago but I remember thinking this is common sense as I was going along. It is worth your time!! If you work as an LPN even for a few months you will have a leg up when you take the RN boards. I worked sub acute long term care for that 8 months and when I sat for the RN boards I had many questions on COPD, CHF, Diabetes..I was very comfortable with all of those illnesses, treatment, meds etc..One thing strange when I took my RN boards..I had 5 questions on Meneire's disease..I think it took up a small paragraph in my nursing book..I was lucky, my mom has Meneire's so I knew the answers. I just thought it was strange since it is not common and many nurses will never even be faced with it in their lifetime..Good Luck! Erin

teelaticeNY · Apr 24, 2004

Erin,

I just bought 2 review books: Saunders PN and Mosby's PN. I personally like the Saunders better because it gives better rationale. I am hoping that if I pass I can work in a Subacute area because I was thinking the same thing you were saying in your posting. Only thing in Buffalo, NY most of the Nursing homes that have subacute hire RNs but I will start networking because I know alot of nurses. Thanks for the great advice!!!

teelaticeNY · Apr 24, 2004

Erin,

I just bought 2 review books: Saunders PN and Mosby's PN. I personally like the Saunders better because it gives better rationale. I am hoping that if I pass I can work in a Subacute area because I was thinking the same thing you were saying in your posting. Only thing in Buffalo, NY most of the Nursing homes that have subacute hire RNs but I will start networking because I know alot of nurses. Thanks for the great advice!!!

Erin RN · Apr 24, 2004

You are welcome and good luck to you!!

Erin RN · Apr 24, 2004

You are welcome and good luck to you!!