Question

suzanne4, RN · Sep 18, 2006

NCLEX-PN is not handled by the same Board that handles the RN applicants in CA. If you do not have a visa that will permit you to work in the US, then taking the PN exam will be of no use to you. The material covered on it is quite different from the RN exam, and will require completely separate preparation for you.

Please take the time to read the "Primer" at the top of this International Forum.

Rep · Sep 18, 2006

hey everyone,im a new nursing graduate,graduated from the philippines and i was wondering if any of you guys would happen to know if im eligible to take the NCLEX-PN even though i didnt take up the Practical Nursing Course? does my BSN degree qualify me to take the examination? i wanted to start as a PN first before embarking into becoming a full pledge RN in california..hope any of you guys can help me out on this one.thanks

Your BSN degree will make you eligible to take the NCLEX-PN. I took my LPN last week and I tell you its also difficult and that is according to my experience. But if you are going here on an LPN through an employemnt based visa then that would not happen since US immigrations rules say that only RNs can get a EB3 visa.

I know some would disagree me on this but I did it on a practical approach. I came here with out a US licensed, I was petitioned because I have a CGFNS certificate. I am already eligible to take the RN but when I started working in LTC under an interim permit, I found out that most of the Filipinos there have both LPN and RN licenses and they are BSN graduates in the Philippines.

The reason why I applied for the LPN here is that I can keep my job at the facility with either of the two licenses. As long as I passed one of the exams then I can work there as a nurse. Otherwise I would find myself looking for a job at some of the grocery stores here.

And for me there is nothing to lose If I take the LPN before the RN. By the way, the questions that I encountered in NCLEX-Pn were similar to the questions found in the Q and A books that I have for the NCLEX-RN. Except there were no questions related to delegation and leadership.

Also, in the center where I took my NCLEX-PN, I met several Filipinos with BSN and some were taking NCLEX-PN and other NCLEX-RN and I asked those for the RN if they take the LPN already and they said yes. I think it is also a matter of survival for us incase we failed on one. To me, passing either the LPN or RN means I can put food on the table and pay the bills on time.

If you want to take the LPN then it's your choice. Good luck!

pinoy_guy · Sep 18, 2006

I know some would disagree me on this but I did it on a practical approach. I came here with out a US licensed, I was petitioned because I have a CGFNS certificate. I am already eligible to take the RN but when I started working in LTC under an interim permit, I found out that most of the Filipinos there have both LPN and RN licenses and they are BSN graduates in the Philippines.

my friend also went via this route.

he took & passed the LPN exam but flunked the RN exam.

he's also working in an LTC, but in NYC.