Military Challenging the Boards

donsterRN, ASN, BSN · Dec 17, 2008

However, practicing health care at the level of an RN or LPN isn't just about the doing, it's about the understanding and figuring out. And you can't understand or figure things out unless you have a solid foundation in physiology, pathology, anatomy, and pharmacotherapies.
These things you don't learn through experience, you learn them in a classroom.

Very well stated. Thanks for that.

un2gsus, RN, EMT-P · Jul 18, 2012

I was a Navy Corpsman for five years and California is the only state that will accept my training to challenge the board. I took the boards about a year ago and failed. I was much more confident the second go the other day. However, when it shut down at 85, I still felt overwhelmed with some of the questions. Does anyone know why California is the only state to let military challenge the board? Veterans with medical experiance and bedside care should be able to challenge the boards in every state. These states are losing out on such great people with great skills.

I was a Military Medic in the USAF at a large medical center - David Grant. I did not get a valid letter to verify my bedside care and could not take the exam. I wonder if I can still take the exam now that I have a Bachelors in Science (Medical) and twenty plus years as a Registered Respiratory Therapist?

OCNRN63, RN · Jul 18, 2012

i was a navy corpsman for five years and california is the only state that will accept my training to challenge the board. i took the boards about a year ago and failed. i was much more confident the second go the other day. however, when it shut down at 85, i still felt overwhelmed with some of the questions. does anyone know why california is the only state to let military challenge the board? veterans with medical experiance and bedside care should be able to challenge the boards in every state. these states are losing out on such great people with great skills.

because you don't get the structured education and clinical experience that you get from an accredited nursing program. maybe you should be asking why california allows still allows this, when every other state in the union does not. it's not just about hands-on experience. graduates of an accredited program have proof that their education has met the minimum standard needed to take nclex. while it's true that military medics get plenty of experience, there's no way of guaranteeing consistency from one vet to another.

paramedics get great experience and skills. maybe they should be allowed to challenge the boards. medical students get plenty of experience and education. maybe they should be allowed to challenge the boards while they work toward their medical degree. police and firefighters are often put in the position of delivering emergency care. maybe we should let them challenge the boards. examples go on ad infinitum.

not to mention that nursing jobs are scarcer than hen's teeth these days, and the last thing this profession needs is even more people flooding the market looking for jobs.