Nclex eaxm rn or lpn??

hotnurse408 · Mar 11, 2012

you can only take the LPN nclex, to take the RN nclex you must go to RN school. Shouldn't your lpn program instructors tell you that before hand?

Where did you get the idea to take the RN nclex as an option without completing the RN program?

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2012

Unless you completed an RN program, you cannot sit for the NCLEX-RN.

When you graduate from LPN school, you get an Licensed Practical Nurse Degree. When you graduate from an RN program you get either an Associates or Bachelors of Nursing degree. You need the ADN or the BSN to take the NCLEX-RN, regardless of now many credits, classes and certifications you have.

There are many differences between an LPN program and RN school, and it's not just the classes. The scope of practice of an LPN is much different than an RN. RN programs will include more clinical hours, and is at least two years.

So if you want to sit for the RN exam you have to go back to school.

Rayisa · Mar 12, 2012

Ok. Let me rephrase my thread. The question is shouldn't a candidate who completed the LPN program AND who have completed all of the courses required for the RN program be allowed to sit for the NCLEX -RN. I am well aware of the requirements, the issue I am bringing up is the Boards or whoever set this system up is having college graduates who have alreaday completed these courses to go through entire programs and repeat the same courses they have already taken to get

to sit for the RN. That's just an opinion. And I think at some point those who this applies to, should write to the schools and the boards to get these credits/courses transferred and accepted w/o having to duplicate these courses again.

Rayisa · Mar 12, 2012

The questions on the Kaplan NCLEX RN Review and the NCLEX LPN Review 2008 edition are the same. I have compared them. So....???? They seem to have changed the 2010 edition to insert lpn in the questions since. What is the difference in the scope of practice? LPN can't hang blood and start IV?? Please enlightened me. and I am trying to educate myself.

Rayisa · Mar 12, 2012

@hotnurse408. I am talking about college degreed LPNs who have taken the required courses at other colleges, prior to become LPNs.

Rayisa · Mar 12, 2012

@hotnurse408. I am talking about college degreed LPNs who have taken the required courses at other colleges, prior to become LPNs.

sara42975 · Mar 12, 2012

Oh dear. There are countless differences between the role of an RN and an LPN and if you had taken those RN classes you mentioned, you would know. The actual nursing courses are different -- has nothing to do with college core courses. LPN's don't teach, assess, or delegate to other nurses. It is not legally within there scope of practice. Many nursing programs offer abbreviated courses as part of the "LPN to RN option." Perhaps you should look into something like this if you're interested in becoming an RN.

Rayisa · Mar 12, 2012

sara42975 thx for your reply. Yes I am considering LPN-RN bridge program. I just want to say the program I'm referring to was an excellent program which comprised 54 credits (68 for AAS). This program entailed writing a 3-5 page paper on a disorder for each nursing course (8!). One professor who thought there said it was like the NYU program, where she thought. We wrote several care plans every week @ clinical while using the nursing process APIE. So those skills that you mentioned, Sara, are exactly my point. LPN w/ degrees in management or the like, have delegation skills and can teach. So what I am saying is the Boards are not giving enough credit to students who already have those skills and who have taken the AAS courses (psychology, sociology, management, math, etc....) to transition into Nursing, as second career nurses. Thank you all for your feedback.

hotnurse408 · Mar 12, 2012

Bottom line is you must go through an RN program to sit in a RN NCLEX exam. Thats it. It doesn't matter what other degrees bachelors, masters, ph d you have. A person can have a PH D in business, graduated from LPN school, but he/she cannot take the RN nclex because he/she must go through a RN program first.