LPN Petition to Take RN Boards

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · May 24, 2008

Jules A, MSN · May 24, 2008

There were many things that the CNAs in my LPN class thought were a huge waste of their time also but sucked it up and got through it because they wanted their LPN license.

I would like to hear more from students that actually completed a bridge program. Please keep in mind also that it isn't even a full year, only 2 semesters and included in that small investment of my time comes a large increase in responsibility, opportunities and income. I feel it was worth it.

I enjoyed it even though as already stated most of the skills were old hat I liked the fact that I could take a deep breath, focus on more indepth assessments, delegating and learning more details about the disease process and medications than we did in LPN school. We did rotations in really interesting areas of the hospital that we didn't see during LPN school and there are specialities that I never would have considered but ended up loving. While I got really good grades, I worked my butt of to get them so I don't think that qualifies as a total waste of time.

:)

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · May 24, 2008

Well, I take my clinical exam for Excelsior next week. LPN to RN. I sit the boards after I pass that. Does that count?

And yes, I'm learning. A lot. That wasn't remotely MY point, anyway.

Jules A, MSN · May 24, 2008

Well, I take my clinical exam for Excelsior next week. LPN to RN. I sit the boards after I pass that. Does that count?
And yes, I'm learning. A lot. That wasn't remotely MY point, anyway.

Absolutely and please don't think that all my responses were directed at you. I think this has been a great discussion for the most part and I'm just doing some rambling. :wink2:

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 24, 2008

Not to argue...but I respectfully disagree that there is no difference between an LPN and a RN program. That would be silly....and it is not true. Actually, I have never even heard that rumored before. If it were a bridge program, it should be covering what was *not* covered in the other program. Doesn't make any sense, I am afraid. If it did happen, those students were shorted an education.

What I was quoting was what my friends who attended the bridge program stated. I am not sure if it is true or not, as I have not sat through it for myself to compare. I also believe that it should cover what was not in an LPN program-no argument there. But, from what they said, and reading a very limited portion of their material, it looked similar to me. Yes, I would also say that if this observation made by the students that attended is true, then, I would have to say that essentially, they have wasted their time. You attend a higher program to build and expand upon current knowledge, but not repeat.

tferdaise · May 25, 2008

One of the biggest problems facing LPNs who want to go back to school is time. Many (like myself) have bills to pay, and to go back to school full time is not an option. Here in PHX, there are 2 part time LPN to RN programs. They take 18 months to complete, you only go 2 days week. The University of Phoenix has a LPN to BSN program which is 2 yrs (once you have completed all of the Gen Ed courses) the program is one day a week unless we have clinicals then it 2 days a week. For me, it was a no brainer, an extra 6 months and I have BSN (since I want to move on to a FNP.) My employeer pays $5200 tuition a year. I have noticed more and more university are offering the LPN to BSN program.

I don't disagree with anything you've said. I have many problems with how all levels of undergraduate nursing education are organized and implemented these days!
I agree with your concerns about experienced LPN (RN) students having very different needs than "generic" nursing students. I think the issue is, though, that there aren't enough returning-LPN students to justify having separate, "free-standing" programs, and, as we all know from reading these boards, the students want the programs as convenient and close to home as possible and most would not be willing to travel a longer distance to attend a separate, specialty LPN-to-RN program that was centrally located for a larger area (in order to have a larger student body to justify/support a "specialty" program). I've taught in an ADN program that accepted LPNs into the second year, and it was basically to do the local LPNs who wanted to continue their education a favor, to provide them a way to become eligible for RN licensure; but there were only a few LPNs (per year) in our area who wanted to do that and there was no way it would ever be practical or cost-effective to try to create a separate, LPN-only program ... Maybe the situation is different in larger, urban areas.
Also, I would draw your attention to how many people post here about how they're only going into an LPN program because their local "bridge" program is easier to get into than the generic RN programs, and how many people post here about how they're already applying for bridge programs before they even complete their LPN program -- apparently, many of the LPNs applying for these programs are brand new LPN grads and aren't any more experienced than the RN students they will be joining.
I freely admit there's no perfect answer that will do a good job of meeting every individual's needs. But I don't think the answer is to water down the educational and licensure standards and requirements; we've done more than enough of that already, IMHO.

withasmilelpn · May 25, 2008

I don't disagree with anything you've said. I have many problems with how all levels of undergraduate nursing education are organized and implemented these days!
I agree with your concerns about experienced LPN (RN) students having very different needs than "generic" nursing students. I think the issue is, though, that there aren't enough returning-LPN students to justify having separate, "free-standing" programs, and, as we all know from reading these boards, the students want the programs as convenient and close to home as possible and most would not be willing to travel a longer distance to attend a separate, specialty LPN-to-RN program that was centrally located for a larger area (in order to have a larger student body to justify/support a "specialty" program). I've taught in an ADN program that accepted LPNs into the second year, and it was basically to do the local LPNs who wanted to continue their education a favor, to provide them a way to become eligible for RN licensure; but there were only a few LPNs (per year) in our area who wanted to do that and there was no way it would ever be practical or cost-effective to try to create a separate, LPN-only program ... Maybe the situation is different in larger, urban areas.
Also, I would draw your attention to how many people post here about how they're only going into an LPN program because their local "bridge" program is easier to get into than the generic RN programs, and how many people post here about how they're already applying for bridge programs before they even complete their LPN program -- apparently, many of the LPNs applying for these programs are brand new LPN grads and aren't any more experienced than the RN students they will be joining.
I freely admit there's no perfect answer that will do a good job of meeting every individual's needs. But I don't think the answer is to water down the educational and licensure standards and requirements; we've done more than enough of that already, IMHO.

Over the years, I've heard enough LPNs express the wish that they could get their RN, but didn't because of the time/$ factor. Lets face it, once you are practicing, a nurse's schedule can make it difficult to return. What I've found is that in my area, the programs that have flexible hours with weekend and evening programs have no shortage attracting LPNs. We have one school 45 miles away with this that is always full. The rest are like I've mentioned before, either no bridge, or shortened hardly enough to make it worthwhile. Which explains why by far and large the bulk of LPNs I know returning to get their RN are going through Excellcior. So there is a need and someone else is meeting it. Not the schools, which is unfortunate in my opinion. And I am not suggesting that anything be 'watered down' for the LPN. Test me, that's what you do in school, to see if you know the material. Why not test the applicant for each requirement and place them in the classes that they show weakness in? They have AP for your prereqs, why not specific nursing skills? You should have to study, maybe pass the HESI and the NCLEX and do a clinical to prove it? It doesn't matter. I really think I will go the Excellcior route anyway. I was curious what people thought of the petition that I found. Now I know!:)

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 25, 2008

I also believe that time is a factor for LPNs. Most work weekends and evenings, are mandated to work an additional shift or have to stay late for varying reasons such as updating documentation or emergencies with patients. Also, many facilities do not support the student by allowing flexible shifts to release them to go. I've had friends who have paid their tuition only to hear from their nursing supervisors or powers that be at the last minute that they cannot or will not accomodate them. It is only the favorites who get to go.

A particular friend of mine was told by her ADN that she will 'have to find another program to accept her because (they will) no longer accomodate her leaving an hour early". She is still going, because she kind of worked it out with the head nurse. Now, they transferred her to a different clinic, where I almost know for a fact will not and she has one more semester left. Sometimes, we are our own worst enemies. They will say out of their mouths "Become an RN', but in reality, some may not really want to help you during that path.

Thornbird · May 26, 2008

I am an experienced LPN who had 3 years of college in an unrelated field before LPN school. I planned on getting my RN years ago, but a child with special needs put the brakes on that for years. I DO have more clinical knowledge and experience than many RN's I have worked with. But, I DO NOT believe LPN's should be allowed to challenge the RN Boards. There are programs like Excelsior (my plan) that give an LPN a way to gain credit for experience. But, if you ask anyone who has done it, there is still a lot to learn. An LPN may be great at the area in which she or he is working but there is a whole world of knowledge which just hasn't been accessed. I also believe in the notion of college level education for nurses. We need to have a thorough knowledge base in other areas besides patient care. We need the more advanced science courses to truly understand what is going on with things like lab values and blood gases. We need the English Comp skills to document in a professional, literate manner. I don't want to go on and on. I DO believe there should be more programs available that truly give credit for the knowledge that an LPN has accumulated, which I find most so called "bridge" programs do not. :twocents:

MentalRn · May 26, 2008

Well I for one think it is a good idea. Experienced LPNs should be able to petition the board. Some of the smartest well trained nurses are LPNs. Some of the dumbest, with zero clinical skills have been the BSN grads. I would rather work with nurses with good clinical skills any day.

NursesRmofun, ASN, RN · May 26, 2008

I have known some smart LPNs and BSNs, some dumb LPNs and BSNs, and also some smart ASNs and dumb ASNs...How about that? LOL :bugeyes:

kayakgirl58 · Jun 29, 2008

Excelsior College is a wonderful option.....that is how I got my RN.

Hi there,

How accepted was the Excelsior grad RN in the working community or different states? I have heard conflicting comments.