Can I challenge the RN boards?

Nurses LPN/LVN

Updated:   Published

Specializes in L&D.

I heard long ago about an LPN who challenged and passed her RN boards. This was back in the 80s...can you do this still, and how would I find out about it?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'd be curious about that too. Does anyone know more about this. Or is it just wishful thinking?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I heard long ago about an LPN who challenged and passed her RN boards. This was back in the 80s...can you do this still, and how would I find out about it?

Your best bet is to contact the state that you live in or where you plan to work as an RN. But that was the 1980s. You know, things are more strict now. I am graduating with like 5 LPNs and they had to go back to school for 2 years in a nursing program and graduate to be allowed to sit for the RN board exam. But hey, still see if you can challenge it. Worth a try.

-Sophia

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I do not believe you can "challenge" the NCLEX-RN as an LPN. I have been an LPN for ten years working in a variety of settings. I used to think that just being an LPN and using the knowledge I was exposed to in my working environment was enough to make me able to take RN boards...unfortunately it really isn't the case. I just completed a bridge program and have learned so many things that I didn't know even with all my experience. All the pre-reqs come in to play--the english, math, sciences, social sciences, & humanities. I do not think anyone should be allowed to "challenge" boards to be RN's. Bottom line if you wish to be an RN then go to school and take the courses like the rest of us. I am sorry if this sounds harsh but it really is true. "Challenging" the board does not give you the knowledge that is a set of standards needed to take the NCLEX-RN and work as an RN.

Karen

Your best bet is to contact the state that you live in or where you plan to work as an RN. But that was the 1980s. You know, things are more strict now. I am graduating with like 5 LPNs and they had to go back to school for 2 years in a nursing program and graduate to be allowed to sit for the RN board exam. But hey, still see if you can challenge it. Worth a try.

-Sophia

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I do not believe you can "challenge" the NCLEX-RN as an LPN. I have been an LPN for ten years working in a variety of settings. I used to think that just being an LPN and using the knowledge I was exposed to in my working environment was enough to make me able to take RN boards...unfortunately it really isn't the case. I just completed a bridge program and have learned so many things that I didn't know even with all my experience. All the pre-reqs come in to play--the english, math, sciences, social sciences, & humanities. I do not think anyone should be allowed to "challenge" boards to be RN's. Bottom line if you wish to be an RN then go to school and take the courses like the rest of us. I am sorry if this sounds harsh but it really is true. "Challenging" the board does not give you the knowledge that is a set of standards needed to take the NCLEX-RN and work as an RN.

Karen

Karen,

what bridge course did you take, please?

Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I took all of the pre-reqs at my local community college. English, algebra, humanities, sciences, social sciences, and nutrition are the main courses needed for pre-regs. I kept a very high grade point average so that I could be accepted into the local bridge program. I was accepted into the program to start January 2004 but found out about the Excelsior college program. I opted to go with the Excelsior program so I could keep my three year old daughter at home with me thus avoiding daycare. I had all the generals done when I started the nursing courses in late 2003. It has taken me 13 months to complete the program. I also was enrolled with Excelsior prior to the December 2003 cut off date for California. The program was tough and there was tons of material to cover. The clinical is just that--expected to be completed with 100% accuracy. Any bridge program probably covers similar content. I think Excelsior is a great way for LPNs to move up in their careers without leaving their jobs and family responsiblities. My official graduation date is on the 18th of this month and I will be graduating with honors. Everyone can reach their goals of becoming an RN through traditional or non-traditional education--but merely "challenging" boards is not enough in my opinion.

Karen

Karen,

what bridge course did you take, please?

Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I heard long ago about an LPN who challenged and passed her RN boards. This was back in the 80s...can you do this still, and how would I find out about it?

I have checked on a bunch of states BON sites and all that I looked at require graduating from an approved school. That means not an LPN school but an RN school for the NCLEX-RN and LPN school for the NCLEX-PN.

Sorry, I didn't look at every state but I would venture to say they all require graduation from an accredited school for that licensure.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice/Palliative Care, Critical care, Burns.
I have checked on a bunch of states BON sites and all that I looked at require graduating from an approved school. That means not an LPN school but an RN school for the NCLEX-RN and LPN school for the NCLEX-PN.

Sorry, I didn't look at every state but I would venture to say they all require graduation from an accredited school for that licensure.

The only state which I have confirmed that allows an LPN to challenge the RN board is West Virginia - and WV only allows former "military" LPN's to do this.

If they allow it in March 2006, that's what I'll be doing!

Steven King

[email protected]

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Inpatient Acute Rehab.

I was an LPN for 20 years. I was not able to challenge the RN boards. I went the LPN to RN fast track.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice/Palliative Care, Critical care, Burns.
I was an LPN for 20 years. I was not able to challenge the RN boards. I went the LPN to RN fast track.

I plan to challenge the RN board in West Virginia, next year. However, I might return to college via Indiana State University - they have an LPN to BSN program that allows clinical competency to be determined via local preceptor. So..."sniff, sniff" - I am thinking that the days of the Excelsior "cram and get it" on a two-day test are gone.

Steven King

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Back in the 50's nursing assistants could challenge the LPN program, but as far as I know the LPN to RN stuf is pure wishful thinking. I was an LPN in the 70's and I had to go back to school for my RN. Everyone does.

Even the Excelsior LPN to RN bridge involves online college credits/CLEP..towarda a AS or BS....with a 2 day clinical exam at the end. No free ride there either.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice/Palliative Care, Critical care, Burns.
...but as far as I know the LPN to RN stuf is pure wishful thinking.

I assure you...if you have military corpsmen, LPN, or paramedic experience you can CURRENTLY challenge the RN board in West Virginia. I have the packet on my desk at home.

Former military? Interested?

Email me:

Steven King

[email protected]

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment