LVN school or not?

[Cindee]

Hi all, this is my first post here. I am a medical asst. I have worked in an orthopedic office for 2 yrs now, and I want more!! A friend of mine said I can "challenge the board" to become an LVN. My first question is...Is this realy a good option? And, will I be looked down upon by my co-workers who have attended the riggors of schooling? Are there alot of nurses out there who have recieved their LVN this way? One more question!! I want to become an RN, where will I go from LVN to RN, how is that accomplished?

Thanks in advance....Cindy

[Cindee]

I am bumping my post in hopes of someone, anyone please helping me with an answer!! Thanks! Cindy:o

[shodobe]

I'm not sure you can just "challenge" the LVN boards. I could be wrong, but it would seem you would have to have some pre-reqs out of the way before doing so. I was just curious why you wouldn't just go ahead and go get your RN. I would check the LVN board web site and get an idea what you would need. As posted in other threads even people who thought they could just challenge the RN boards found out they couldn't. Once you do get your LVN you can go through "bridge" programs at colleges or through some on-line programs such as Excelsior. I would still suggest you look into an RN program if this fits your time schedule. Good luck, Mike

[cbrnbloompa]

i am an RN and to tell you the truth I think that getting your RN rather than going for your LVN is a much better route...The respect and the pay are much better!!! Good luck with your decision!!!!!

[Cali]

If your ultimate goal is to get your RN then you should definitely go directly into an RN program. Why even waste your time and money taking an LVN program and then having to take an RN program. Medical Assistants cannot challenge the LVN boards. I challenged the LVN boards in 2001 but I was only allowed to do that because of my military courses and training. I am presently in an RN program.

[PRad]

I was a med asst also- and actually you could "technically" challenge the NCLEX- however, and this is a big however, the requirements to challege are huge- 9 years of bedside care- as a med asst who gives "bedside care"? Also, you have to do every specialty area they list for a specified amt of time- it ends up being prohibitive. I am actually in LVN school now and doing a transition course in the fall- and I am glad I did. I in no way would have passes the NCLEX- and I had worked in peds, OB, urgent care, Pulm and Cardiac. We just didn't need the whole nursing process to do our jobs, or the amt of meds. However, my work Hx was a huge advantage when it came to school- I have the highest average in a class of 40 and am also taking additional classes at night., to finish my pre-reqs for RN. Also, one more thing they don't mention when challenging- is that you can not transition to RN you would have to do a 30 unit option- which means you are not a fraduate of the RN program- you can just sit for the boards- and other statesmay not recognize your license- which means you are limited to CA. and should you ever move you are SOL (s--- out of luck). Much better to bite the bullet and take the class

paige:eek:

[Cindee]

Thank you! I do want to attend school, I do want to do this the right way. I just wish it didnt take so long!! I am just going to jump in and do it. Like I said above, I am having back surgery in 6 weeks now, and my recovery is first and foremost. Thanks again for all the info, and steering me in the right direction!!!

Cindy