LPN Petition to Take RN Boards

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 26, 2008

I hear ya but my thoughts are that you are already being forced to play the games my dear Pagandeva2000. We all are really. So join me and have more job flexibility and more money for doing pretty close to exactly the same job you do so skillfully already.

Nah:no:, I pass, but I will join you for coffee! :heartbeat:redbeathe:redpinkhe

Indy, LPN, LVN · Jul 28, 2008

Hm. For once I didn't read all the replies. I did read the article in the paper version however. I found some parts of it to be a bit too condescending for my taste. Basically my disagreement is over experience versus formal education.

I do believe that learning occurs during work time when experience is gained. It's just that it is difficult to quantify it, it doesn't directly translate into educational credits. Also, while one is working their butt off say, to support a family, pay for a house, etc. they may not have time for school. online programs can be just as expensive if not more so than college.

Anyone who meets a goal "the hard way" puts some value on the result due to all the hard work that went into it. This doesn't mean other people put the same value on it. I guess I don't understand why other nurses don't come across as valuing an LPN's experience? I do understand regulatory bodies and legislators not knowing their heads from a hole in the ground, but it makes no sense to me that RN's seem to have a lackluster approach to the argument. All nurses are put in the position of having to make decisions, we all occasionally have to assess our patients whether the paperwork says we do or not, and every other department in the hospital would gladly pin the blame on each and every one of our behinds.

Rural hospitals take it further and you're lucky if some of them have more than 1 or 2 RN's in the building at night. That LPN who works OB and has 20 years experience can deliver babies standing on her head; the RN supervising knows it, and gladly just fills out the paperwork. Our sup one night went off muttering "off to OB now, gotta figure out what a dubowitz is..."

I'm rambling, better get back to the topic.

Basically I think the reason suggestions like this cause a bit of a stir is that there are those out there who are afraid if they allow it, LPN's will pass the NCLEX-RN, and then what can of worms have we opened? Oh my. /sarcasm off.

Jules A, MSN · Jul 29, 2008

Also, while one is working their butt off say, to support a family, pay for a house, etc. they may not have time for school. Online programs can be just as expensive if not more so than college.

Yes but we all have these things in our lives and if we want to further our education in the form of a degree we need to find time/money to do it.

Anyone who meets a goal "the hard way" puts some value on the result due to all the hard work that went into it. This doesn't mean other people put the same value on it. I guess I don't understand why other nurses don't come across as valuing an LPN's experience? I do understand regulatory bodies and legislators not knowing their heads from a hole in the ground, but it makes no sense to me that RN's seem to have a lackluster approach to the argument.

I absolutely do value the experience of LPNs. I was one however I don't think being one negates the value of more formal education even if it is simply putting in the time. However if someone wants to let me take a test and get my MSN based on my work history I might be pursuaded to change my mind. Unfortunately in our society formal education is the name of the game, not saying its fair just that it is.

BestSweetGal · Jul 29, 2008

I can only speak for myself. I'm a LPN. I went to nursing school for BSN (in AL). Did the whole four years, got to the last year and you have to pass this exit exam (HESI) in order to get degree and do it in limited tries. Well, unfortunately, myself and 5 others were not able to pass and are without a degree:banghead:.

That was 2006. Some of them have given up:cry:, went other careers, and some, like myself, are still fighting for it:smiley_ab. And it's not that we were terrible students, most had 3.0 and above. We truly believe that if we sat for the RN boards we would've passed. But b/c our school was covering their butts :down: (protecting accredidation), instead of making sure they put out RNs, 6 out of 11 (small school), walked away with no nursing degree (now they let us get another degree--health science, but not the same).

So, I went back home (SC), and challenged the LPN boards by equivalency (meaning they needed all my syllabus from my former nursing classes-that was no easy task, lol, and my transcript to prove i took those classes; ) and I pass the boards:up:.

Now,I can understand why those who are RNs feel that LPNs shouldn't take RN boards just b/c they have the experience. I went to RN school and now a LPN...it's not the same:nono:, 20 years exp. or not.

Now what about those who went for their BSN, have the transcript to prove they took and pass those classes, but b/c of their school's policy's weren't able to pass the exit to obatin the degree:confused:?

I'm now trying to do an acclerated BSN program in my hometown and hope to get in the program. I'm also trying to utilize the health science degree from former school and get a masters in health services or hospital admin.

Now everything that happend may have slowed me down, but it won't get me down. I'm determined. You guys have a good day.

**SKM-NURSIEPOOH, BSN, RN** · Jul 29, 2008

i can only speak for myself. i'm a lpn. i went to nursing school for bsn (in al). did the whole four years, got to the last year and you have to pass this exit exam (hesi) in order to get degree and do it in limited tries. well, unfortunately, myself and 5 others were not able to pass and are without a degree:banghead:.

that was 2006. some of them have given up:cry:, went other careers, and some, like myself, are still fighting for it:smiley_ab. and it's not that we were terrible students, most had 3.0 and above. we truly believe that if we sat for the rn boards we would've passed. but b/c our school was covering their butts (protecting accredidation), instead of making sure they put out rns, 6 out of 11 (small school), walked away with no nursing degree (now they let us get another degree--health science, but not the same).

so, i went back home (sc), and challenged the lpn boards by equivalency (meaning they needed all my syllabus from my former nursing classes-that was no easy task, lol, and my transcript to prove i took those classes; ) and i pass the boards:up:.

now,i can understand why those who are rns feel that lpns shouldn't take rn boards just b/c they have the experience. i went to rn school and now a lpn...it's not the same:nono:, 20 years exp. or not.

now what about those who went for their bsn, have the transcript to prove they took and pass those classes, but b/c of their school's policy's weren't able to pass the exit to obatin the degree:confused:?

i'm now trying to do an acclerated bsn program in my hometown and hope to get in the program. i'm also trying to utilize the health science degree from former school and get a masters in health services or hospital admin.
now everything that happend may have slowed me down, but it won't get me down. i'm determined. you guys have a good day.

oh my stars! i *am* truly sorry :sniff:

to read this story of yours bestsweetgal!!! this just makes my blood boil :angryfire!!! this university knows all too well that you'd had to start all over again at another university cause *none* of your previous nursing courses will transfer - none!!! :argue: jez...even those who failed a course (or two) are given a chance to set-out a year & return to retake that failed course over (most universities allow x2 failures before throwing the students out for good :rolleyes:

).

this school should make provisions for such occasions...may be a refresher course or a course on taking the hesi/nclex - *something* :mad: ! my god...all that time & money down the drain to protect their accreditation status...that just bs!!!

i do hope things go well for ya - keep-up the positive attitude - you'll prevail in the end :kiss:

cheers :cheers:,

moe

platinum_garb · Jul 29, 2008

I would like to offer what may be unpopular opinions, but here goes...I think there is a good chance that I could walk into the RN boards and pass the exam cold. However, that is because I am an excellent test taker. I personally felt that the LPN exam was too easy.

Now to my point...just because you can pass the test does not mean you have all the required knowledge to perform the job. I feel that the exit exams are sort of like "if you don't know this bare minimum, we don't want you near a patient".

The reason that LPNs are able to bridge to RN is because we *do* have some nursing knowledge base and our reward is being able to bridge. It could be way worse and we could be made to do the whole 2 year ADN program from scratch!

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Jul 29, 2008

i can confirm what is posted here about the cna challenging the lvn exam in ca is very true. i have researched this, argued this point until i have been blue , pink then red in the face on more than one occasion.

they are required to have at least 54 months of cna experience and a pharm course... please add people if i have missed something..

i have no desire to wade thru the ca bon website, so i'll take your word for this, unlikely as it sounds. couple this with the op's proposition that experienced lpns be allowed to challenge rn boards, and we create the situation where it would be possible for someone with no more than formal cna education to become a registered nurse. absurd, don't you agree?

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 29, 2008

I first heard about CNAs in California challenging the boards here in this forum. I would think, then, that if they are allowing them 5 some odd years of experience (I heard it has to be in med-surg) and a pharm class, then, the exam must be rigged...really. What about psych, OB and pediatrics? If they didn't get experience there, how can they answer those questions? Sounds fishy to me.

BestSweetGal · Jul 29, 2008

(I feel that the exit exams are sort of like "if you don't know this bare minimum, we don't want you near a patient". )....well, I truly feel that if my school had prepared us better, we would've done well on our exams...don't wait till the final semester of our senior year to start preparing for exit exams and NCLEX...this is something that should be implemented throughout the entire program..and it wasn't that we didn't know the materials, it was pretty much just test taking skills, etc.

LuvtoHeal · Jul 31, 2008

Jules A

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Re: LPN Petition to Take RN Boards

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I'll be honest since I have just taken my RN bridge I think there is quite a bit of value in the extra formal education. My program was a pretty painless short summer mostly independent study class and then the last two semesters of the RN program. I worked the entire time and it only cost just over $1,000 a semester so imo that isn't an unbearable sacrifice if LPNs want to get their RN. I would be infavor of testing out or skipping some of the mundane clinical skills depending on which area the LPN has experience with but I think the theory classes really expanded on what I learned in LPN school.

1,000$ I need to know what school you went to? That wouldn't even cover the cost of the books and uniforms for a semester. I wish it would be that cheap. I'd enroll right now.

I agree with you on one thing though. Depends where the LPN has their experience at. If it's in a hospital, med/surg..etc they are doing the same things RN's do and not getting paid for it. At least, that's my situation. I think if you can pass the same test, you should be able to wear the tag that says RN. Afterall, that's what nursing school seems to be all about. Passing rates for the boards!

Cinthyaisabel · Jul 31, 2008

I am currently in the process of getting my RN and I think that extra education is valuable, however there are some LPNs that have been nurses longer than I've been alive and have a lot of knowledge and experience and I believe that it would be fair for them to sit for the RN NCLEX. Especially since it is hard to get into a bridge program. However for someone like me even if taking the RN boards was an option I would never do it, one because I am still a new nurse, and two because I like school and I feel that the more knowledge I have the better nurse I will be.

:nurse:

:jester:PROUD to be a pediatric nurse........WHY?because the kids are as silly as me.:chuckle

Jules A, MSN · Jul 31, 2008

1,000$ I need to know what school you went to? That wouldn't even cover the cost of the books and uniforms for a semester. I wish it would be that cheap. I'd enroll right now.

I agree with you on one thing though. Depends where the LPN has their experience at. If it's in a hospital, med/surg..etc they are doing the same things RN's do and not getting paid for it. At least, that's my situation. I think if you can pass the same test, you should be able to wear the tag that says RN. Afterall, that's what nursing school seems to be all about. Passing rates for the boards!

The $1,000, actually about $1,100, was just tuition per semester for two semesters. The summer bridge class cost maybe $500. I went to a community college, bought all my books used/resold them and only had 2 scrub uniforms that cost $40 each. I would guess that I probably spent about $3,500 all told. With my wage increase I made that back in about 7 weeks after getting my RN.