"Allow LPNs to challenge the Board of Nursing to obtain RN licensure" viral post

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Have any of you seen this petition/post going around?

Petition * National Board of Nursing : Allow LPNs to challenge the Board of Nursing to obtain RN licensure * Change.org

If so, what are your thoughts?

Personally, I am an RN. I work in a rural emergency department with one LPN who could run circles around many RN's... I also work with another who does the minimum in her scope, and prefers to work that way. One thing both of them seem to have in common though, is they will approach me about the "why" behind things. Also, there are some things I feel they may not understand about IV push medications, but I could be wrong.

I know the likelihood of this ever happening is slim, but I've seen many LPN's behind this idea. I've not seen any RN's in support though. Please keep this discussion friendly and professional!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

As far as I know, there are no states that allow you to sit for the NCLEX-RN without graduating from a recognized RN program or equivalent, so no, LPNs can't challenge the NCLEX-RN. This is determined at the state level, so sending this petition to the federal government is rather pointless.

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People want what they want RIGHT NOW ...with minimal to no effort expended. It's the modern way of thinking.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

No. RN-equivalent Education first. THEN challenge.

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I can't take seriously a "petition" on this topic that states that it would help address the "national nursing shortage" and also talks about submitting the petition to the "National Board of Nursing." Clearly, whoever wrote it doesn't really understand what (she) is talking about.

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As far as I know, there are no states that allow you to sit for the NCLEX-RN without graduating from a recognized RN program or equivalent, so no, LPNs can't challenge the NCLEX-RN. This is determined at the state level, so sending this petition to the federal government is rather pointless.

Well, there is the California "30 unit option."

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I've heard rumors about this for years, I don't agree with it and wouldn't support it.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.
Well, there is the California "30 unit option."

I thought of the same thing when I saw the petition on FB. Then I looked up the 30 unit option. It seems to still require 30 "units" of education to be completed in addition to so many years experience as an LPN/LVN. I looked at the courses required and they seemed appropriate to educating on RN scope of practice.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

I've been reading some books related to my coursework. All about primary care nursing. There is a great statement from Mary Manthey regarding primary nursing. She is discussing LPNs caring for patients in a hospital that practices primary nursing. She talks about how this can be done very reasonably. The statement I really liked though was she wrote something to the effect of: There is a difference between skill and preparation. Many LPNs have a lot of skill. I thought that was great. I'm not going to write out the whole reference but it was her 2002 book: The practice of primary nursing.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

Does the National Board of Nursing even exist? I've never heard of them. They don't have a website. There is a National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Maybe when you start a petition you should at least know whom it is you're petitioning.

This whole thing is hard to take seriously. Did some bored troll start this up to make life interesting? Otherwise, I'm going to petition to be an NP. I've been a nurse over 30 years. What could go wrong?

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Does the National Board of Nursing even exist?

No, there's no such thing. There's no national entity that has regulatory, statutory authority over nursing licensure and practice in the various states. Even the NCSBN (which, at least, does exist) is a voluntary organization formed by the various state BONs joining together to work on issues and questions common to all the states.

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Specializes in Cardicac Neuro Telemetry.

"Challenge" the NCLEX-RN when you have graduated from with an ADN /BSN. That is the most polite thought I have to offer.

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