Lpn challenging NCLEX RN

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

Hi all,

I am an LPN of 5 years that has been working in Georgia in acute care since graduation. 

I just found out there's a challenge exam to challenge boards to sit for NCLEX RN as an LPN. Does anyone know about this? Has anyone ever done this?

I'm currently in school again for my RN and will continue to be unless I get approved to sit for NCLEX RN then I will reconsider. I just don't know what to think of this. 

While it appears possible, have you considered that it might not be endorsable outside of GA? 

Best wishes.

2 Votes
Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.
chare said:

While it appears possible, have you considered that it might not be endorsable outside of GA? 

Best wishes.

Exactly this. I've been a nurse for a long time and when I had to get a second license across the state border one of the questions on the application was what school I graduated from and when. Even with 20+ years of experience the state of MN wanted to know where I went to school and when I graduated. If I didn't have that answer for them I would not have been able to get a nursing license in that state. 

2 Votes
Specializes in kids.

Just because you can, I'm not sure you necessarily should. My own personal opinion is that the journey of education is what builds your foundation as you further your career. I have a ton of respect for the LPNs I have worked with over the years. So this is not a dumping on an LPN post. I've been a nurse for 40 + years, so I do have some skin in the game here.

You don't know what you don't know.

There are two different educational processes between LPN and RN. I think in the long run, you're cutting your nose off despite your face.

3 Votes
chare said:

While it appears possible, have you considered that it might not be endorsable outside of GA? 

Best wishes.

There are very few states that do this and I think they all make it very clear on their BON website that this is not a compact license, and will likely not be transferable. So I think you're right on the mark on that one.

NutmeggeRN said:

Just because you can, I'm not sure you necessarily should. My own personal opinion is that the journey of education is what builds your foundation as you further your career. I have a ton of respect for the LPNs I have worked with over the years. So this is not a dumping on an LPN post. I've been a nurse for 40 + years, so I do have some skin in the game here.

You don't know what you don't know.

There are two different educational processes between LPN and RN. I think in the long run, you're cutting your nose off despite your face.

I agree. But I also think we can all agree. You don't know a dang thing when you get out of school. You don't know until you have worn those shoes for several years LOL.

1 Votes
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

See GA 43-26-7. Requirements for licensure as registered professional nurse; requirements for nontraditional nursing education program.

Quote

If the applicant entered the nontraditional nursing education program as a licensed practical nurse, had an academic education as a licensed practical nurse that included clinical training in pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, medical-surgical, and mental illness, and has at least two years of experience as a licensed practical nurse in any setting, although such experience shall be exclusive of night duty in a skilled nursing facility, but less than two years of experience in the five years preceding the date of the application in an acute care inpatient facility or a long-term acute care facility, as approved by the board, have completed a 320 hour postgraduate preceptorship...

One cannot just take NCLEX-RN exam with LPN experience.  GA  BON Nursing Regulations require one to graduate from an approved  registered nursing program or non-traditional program (like New York's Excelsior University) with 2 +years hospital experience.  You need to contact the GA board for further clarification.

 

2 Votes

These generally seem to be rumors. So many people talk about hearing about it and heard that someone did it. 

Let's examine the logic though...

Why go to RN school if you can just go to LPN and then take the NCLEX after s few years? Why pay the extra tuition when you could instead be making money and get the same result? Doesn't make sense.

Obviously the schools are going to be against this because they are going to lose money. They'd lobby any such law out of existence. 

And I'm saying this as an LPN. 

I want to be an RN too but I'm going back to school to make that happen!

2 Votes

I've been an LPN for 15+ years and I went through the entire program of LPN-RN bridge last year (2023) in NC. I made it until the very last semester and our final exam 3 days before pinning. Two days prior to the final I was hospitalized. I still got up on that Mon and took my final exam to finish the program. I failed it by ONE point, yes one point. Although I had extenuating circumstances and provided evidence of my hospitalization, the program director would not budge. One of my professors was willing to give students back some points but my director had already put in our final grades (even though they weren't final yet because of the professor willing to give back 2 questions) and would not allow me to even take the final exam over. My clinical instructors gave me high marks and I went into the program with a 4.0 GPA.  I am heartbroken and devasted. There should be some way of experienced nurses to be able to sit for the NCLEX especially after completing a whole program. NOTE: I also passed 2/2 times on our MOCK boards at the end of the final semester furnished by the same company who does the NCLEX.

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