Pennsylvania does not accept license from RN program

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Apr 6, 2015

Hi. Ok why is PA so stringent?? if you have Lpn license for NY keep it current. Finish RN program. Commute

A better question is "why is NY so lax?" This is also a State that allows 6,000 attempts at the NCLEX (or until your money runs out, whichever comes first). Those who require umpteen attempts certainly don't complain when it comes to that!

There's a leniency regarding taking the NCLEX-PN in NY; if a candidate has completed 3 semesters of an RN program, it is deeemed sufficient (as the last semester is primarily focused on the RN scope of practice, at least that's how I understand it to be permitted).

There's all kinds of loopholes that permit people to obtain licenses that are not recognized elsewhere. How about California allowing an LPN to challenge the RN exam for licensure....granting RN license....but it's not recognized anywhere outside of CA? To gain an RN license in another State, one must have completed the RN course of education.

Pennsylvania makes it clear what their requirements are, so.....there ya go.

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 7, 2015

What if I have been working as LPN for the past year? Will that still not give me PA LPN?

The only way you will receive a LPN license in PA is by completing a PN program. There are no loopholes or ways around it.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2015

How about California allowing an LPN to challenge the RN exam for licensure....granting RN license....but it's not recognized anywhere outside of CA? To gain an RN license in another State, one must have completed the RN course of education.

I simply wanted to elucidate California's non-degree pathway that allows LVNs to attain RN licensure because it is not a true challenging of the NCLEX-RN board, per se. Locally it is known as the '30 unit option' because the LVN must have completed 30 credits of a professional registered nursing program to qualify for this path to RN licensure.

Students who pursue no further nursing education after earning the 30 nursing credits are deemed nongraduate RNs if they successfully challenge and pass NCLEX-RN. The RN license is only valid in California since all other state boards of nursing will not grant licensure to a nongraduate RN (read: RN with no diploma, associate, bachelor's or direct entry master's degree in nursing).

The OP is a nongraduate LPN because (s)he has no certificate, diploma or associate of applied science in practical nursing. Most state boards of nursing will not grant licensure to nongraduates. The only way to permanently resolve this issue is to graduate and obtain a certificate, diploma, or AAS degree.

PMFB-RN, RN · Apr 7, 2015

I simply wanted to elucidate California's non-degree pathway that allows LVNs to attain RN licensure because it is not a true challenging of the NCLEX-RN board, per se. Locally it is known as the '30 unit option' because the LVN must have completed 30 credits of a professional registered nursing program to qualify for this path to RN licensure.

To further clairify, the required 30 units are not just any 30 units. They require the entire 2nd half of the nursing program, minus the classed required for an associates degree to be granted. Usually gen eds.

California also allows military coprsmen to challenge their LVN boards. That is what i did, then LVN to RN program in 2 semeters, plus CLEPing classes.

lovinglife2015 · Apr 7, 2015

Cut your losses, PA isn't that great. Relocate to NY and work as an LPN. You can also attend classes part-time and get your degree then return to PA to work as a nurse if you choose.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Apr 7, 2015

I simply wanted to elucidate California's non-degree pathway that allows LVNs to attain RN licensure because it is not a true challenging of the NCLEX-RN board, per se. Locally it is known as the '30 unit option' because the LVN must have completed 30 credits of a professional registered nursing program to qualify for this path to RN licensure.
Students who pursue no further nursing education after earning the 30 nursing credits are deemed nongraduate RNs if they successfully challenge and pass NCLEX-RN. The RN license is only valid in California since all other state boards of nursing will not grant licensure to a nongraduate RN (read: RN with no diploma, associate, bachelor's or direct entry master's degree in nursing).
The OP is a nongraduate LPN because (s)he has no certificate, diploma or associate of applied science in practical nursing. Most state boards of nursing will not grant licensure to nongraduates. The only way to permanently resolve this issue is to graduate and obtain a certificate, diploma, or AAS degree.

Thanks for posting; I'm sure that those who need the additional information will be happy to have it. I just took the lazy way out and left it with "can't get there from here if you did this"! :)

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Apr 7, 2015

I think the fact that some states allow you to sit for the NCLEX as an LPN is crazy. The OP did not attend an LPN program. The OP did not graduate from any nursing program. :speechless: This is crazy.

PMFB-RN, RN · Apr 8, 2015

I think the fact that some states allow you to sit for the NCLEX as an LPN is crazy. The OP did not attend an LPN program. The OP did not graduate from any nursing program. This is crazy.

Why is it crazy? Competence isn't the issue. With so many very good nurses practicing who challenged we have ample evidence of that. So what is it that you find crazy>

BrandonLPN, LPN · Apr 9, 2015

Why is it crazy? Competence isn't the issue. With so many very good nurses practicing who challenged we have ample evidence of that. So what is it that you find crazy>

I think it's fine for someone who completed corpsman training in the military to challenge the PN boards. The key there is that they completed the training which, let's be honest, is likely more rigorous than many a civilian PN program.

What I take issue with is RN students who flunk out of the RN program being able to challenge the NCLEXPN on the basis that they completed "enough" of the RN program to qualify. Saying that a failed RN student is "good enough" to challenge the PN boards is an insult to LPNs.

And for the record, I'm not a fan of California CNAs being allowed to challenge LVN boards under certain circumstances, either. That would make me pretty angry if I were a CA LVN.

lovinglife2015 · Apr 10, 2015

@ BrandonLpn

Why would you be angry over another person's success? I'm glad that there are alternative career routes for non traditional students. Not everyone can follow a cookie cutter educational trajectory, if life circumstances don't allow it. If they can pass NCLEX, I see no problem and neither does the state, apparently.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Apr 11, 2015

@ BrandonLpn
Why would you be angry over another person's success? I'm glad that there are alternative career routes for non traditional students. Not everyone can follow a cookie cutter educational trajectory, if life circumstances don't allow it. If they can pass NCLEX, I see no problem and neither does the state, apparently.

I'm usually on the side that leans toward "experience trumps education", but not in this case. Anyone who sits for the NCLEX RN/PN should only be allowed to do so if they passed an accredited nursing program. Or a program that is equivalent, such as someone who completed military corpsman training challenging the LPN. And that particular scenario is really just the exception that proves the rule.

If given the chance, I am very confident I could pass the NCLEX RN. But this doesn't mean I should be allowed to do so, not even with my experience as a LPN. If I want to take the NCLEX RN, then I need to take and pass an approved professional nursing program. It's just that simple.

And, in the specific cases of failed RN students or experienced CNAs challenging the NCLEX PN.... yes, I do find that offensive. In the case of the failed RN students, it sends the message that someone who couldn't complete an RN program is somehow nonetheless qualified to sit for the LPN boards. In the case of CNAs in California, it sends the message that all a LPN amounts to is basically no more than an experienced CNA with some pharmacology class thrown in the mix. How can a LPN not find that at least a little offensive?

Fiona59 · Apr 11, 2015

LPN does equate to a consolation prize for failed RNs.