LPN Requirements for BSN Student in Illinois

[cubs1977]

I am a nursing student at a school which offers a 3 year BSN program. I am near completion of med/surg and pharmacology and will be entering peds and OB at the end of this month. I would like to find out the requirements to sit for the state of Illinois LPN exam, however, the only information I can find online speaks about LPN programs, and don't specifically state credits and/or classes required that are needed to take the exam.

Junior colleges in the state of Illinois offer their students a chance to sit for the LPN exam after the completion of the first year of their clinical rotation, but how do know if I qualify for this with the specific classes I have taken?

How would I go about doing this and applying for since I don't have an actual degree yet? Everything I read on the State of Illinois websites reference a degree. My school is of no help since they frown upon the students working while in the nursing program, but some of us have families to help support.:heartbeat:twocents:

Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated! :heartbeat

[DeeAngel]

I would call and speak to someone at the Board of Nursing for the state you live in. It's the best way to get an answer you know to be accurate.

[cubs1977]

Thank you...I called them and it's not possible without earning the actual LPN degree

[red2003xlt, LPN]

I believe you can challange for your CNA without completion of a formal training program.

Good Luck

[psysn]

Who at your school have you asked? Your academic advisor should be able to answer questions like that, or go to the nursing program's administrative assistant (secretary). If the admin assistant at your school is anything like the amazing one at my school, she will be able to magically produce the information you need or at least tell you who else to check with.

When one of my classmates was removed from the BSN program halfway through junior year she was told by the dean she could sit for the LPN, but she didn't follow through in getting the letter from the school. So either she misinterpreted what she was told, or it is possible.

If you aren't able to sit for your LPN, consider working as a patient care tech or a student nurses aide. Several Illinois hospitals will hire on a nursing student after their first semester of clinicals as an SNA. And rumor has it some of those hospitals offer tuition assistance after working there for a year.

[OldNurseEducator]

To all posters: The Board of Nursing in your state is the ONLY place to get answers questions like these. It's a no-brainer.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

True.

http://nursing.illinois.gov/feedback.asp

They usually email you back in a day or two.