Navy Hospital Corpman to LPN

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I live in Connecticut and I'm in the Navy reserves. I have an opportunity to change my navy rating (my job) to Hospital Corpman and attend the Navy A school for Hospital Corpman in Great Lakes, IL. Here's my question. Could I go directly from being a Navy Hospital Corpman to challenging the Connecticut boards for LPN? I once knew a guy in San Diego California who went from Navy Hospital Corpman to LPN. He was working at Mercy Hospital in San Diego. Now I know that Connecticut and California rules and laws must certainly differ. Even though I'm a guy, I have considered nursing for a while. I know RN is the way to go but it's much easier to get into LPN at first. Then, maybe move up to RN. Does anyone know what LPN's make in CT? I hear they are phasing LPN's out. Is it hard to find a job as an LPN in CT? Any help would be greatly appreciated . Thanks, Rob

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I live in Connecticut and I'm in the Navy reserves. I have an opportunity to change my navy rating (my job) to Hospital Corpman and attend the Navy A school for Hospital Corpman in Great Lakes, IL. Here's my question. Could I go directly from being a Navy Hospital Corpman to challenging the Connecticut boards for LPN? I once knew a guy in San Diego California who went from Navy Hospital Corpman to LPN. He was working at Mercy Hospital in San Diego. Now I know that Connecticut and California rules and laws must certainly differ. Even though I'm a guy, I have considered nursing for a while. I know RN is the way to go but it's much easier to get into LPN at first. Then, maybe move up to RN. Does anyone know what LPN's make in CT? I hear they are phasing LPN's out. Is it hard to find a job as an LPN in CT? Any help would be greatly appreciated . Thanks, Rob

CA is the only state I am aware of that allows hospital corpsmen to challenge LVN boards.

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Wow! Thanks for your help! I do appreciate it!!

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You would need to check with board of nursing for the state that you plan on living/working in to get all the details to ensure that they accept A-school as equivalent to civilian school. At one time corpsmen and 91-Charlies (Army) came out and could challenge the LPN exam in all the states that I have worked in. You would also need to check and make sure that if you could be licensed in one state, if you decide to move that state's BON would need to accept your Navy training in lieu of civilian school.

Normally I don't advocate going for RN by way of LPN, but in your case, I think this is an excellent way to go. All the LPNs that I have worked with who were ex-military corpsmen had much better training than the average civilian trained LPN.

You might post on the CT state board and see if anyone can get you info about LPN salaries and job opportunities there.

CT BON link:

http://www.ct.gov/dph/site/default.asp

Best of luck!

GO NAVY BEAT ARMY!!!!!!

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Specializes in corrections, LTC, pre-op.
CA is the only state I am aware of that allows hospital corpsmen to challenge LVN boards.
Sorry not true.

Depending on the training! Ask the recruiter!

Larry RN in Florida - former Army Medic to LPN to RN

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Taking the exam in CA and then transferring his license to CT through the interstate compact is probably an option....

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Taking the exam in CA and then transferring his license to CT through the interstate compact is probably an option....

CA is not a compact state. Actually, neither is CT.

Also, if CT requires you to graduate from an LPN program, they will not recognize the license. Many RNs from CA who did the 30 credit option find their licenses no good in other states.

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.....

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Sorry not true.

Depending on the training! Ask the recruiter!

Larry RN in Florida - former Army Medic to LPN to RN

I don't think I'd ask a recruiter, but I would definitely check with the BON of the state in which I was planning to work. Every state has different rules. My state (and at least two others I have worked in as a travel nurse) allows former medics/corpsmen to be certified as CNAs, but not as LPNs.

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Way back in the early 70's I was a 91C in the ARMY and we took the LVN boards. I also took the CA state boards and got my RN, then moved to Mississippi and got my RN license. When I moved to Louisiana, I had to drop back to LPN until I officially finished nursing school!

Had to take the state boards again and actually did slightly worse after going to the "official" nursing school. Go figure, lol!

The BON rules in your state.

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Thank you all for the helpful info! I think the best thing for me to do at this point is to contact the BON in Connecticut and find out from them directly. If I can challenge the LPN test then it would be a great deal for me. The class is a little over 3 months long. But, being in the military of course, the school is free. I get my pay, place to stay, meals, etc. So it's a free education. Actually, they pay me to go. So that's why I'm strongly considering this option. Maybe the CT BON will say the school is not quite enough to challenge the test. But, if I then take this, this, and this class, I would then be allowed to take the test. In that case, it would still be worth it for me. Anyway, I'll check it out, and when I get the scoop from CT, I'll let you all know what they said. Thanks again to you all! Rob

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