"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!

I'm late to this party but maybe a bump on this topic is what this needs.

I'm an LPN and I think this is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. By the logic of this "petition" no one should have to go to school right? Just any Joe blow Google doctor should just be able to take their boards LPN or higher and if they are smart enough just get a license to practice. I'm sorry but that sounds ridiculous does it not? I don't want some nurse that thinks that because they worked in a cardiac unit for 10 or 15 years to decide that they've watched a doctor do enough bypass surgeries to be my surgeon. Or some random person that got a boob job to give me one because they've had one so they know what it's like. There is a reason why there are different education levels and scopes of practice!!!Do I agree that there are some crappy RN's out there? Yes; but that doesn't mean that there aren't crappy LPNs also. I do think that the RN population could work on not bashing LPN so much because we "stopped" after one year of nursing school . When it comes down to it yes I made the choice to only go to school for one year while some of my friends decided to go for two. I know I don't know as much as they do just the same as they don't know as much as a BSN or more. I don't expect handouts and I also don't argue with jobs that require me to need more training even if something is within my scope of practice such as IVs yes in my state LPNs don't need to take a course anymore but a lot of jobs still want you to take a course and I'm totally fine with that because when it comes to more "advanced" stuff that I have very little experience in because I don't want to be responsible for injuring that patient or killing them. We all have our roles and if somebody doesn't like it they should do something about themselves to change it, not expect laws to change for them.

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Never having practiced in another state, in Florida, there is such a thing as a Bridge LPN to RN. My ADN program (this was in 2003, also known as the Bronze age, ha ha) started in Summer with the Pharmacology and Nutrition, Fall semester was Fundamentals of Nursing. In January when nursing Process I began we had a couple of LPNs who had several years of practice under their belt join us and spend the next 4 semesters with us and go on to graduate with their ADN, then test for their NCLEX-RN.

Basically a slightly abbreviated RN course, skipping the basics that an LPN should know anyhow BUT still needing to take the RN courses and clinical time required for an RN. That I think is an acceptable route. Skipping all of it in favor of on the job training via LPN work? Oh **** no.

I wish there were more bridge programs in each state. Not just for the LPN to RN, but also LPN to BSN, RN to BSN and so on. But, those programs are limited by the same forces that limit every other nursing program, the lack of experienced Nursing Educators.

But, hey I'm okay with just testing out of a few classes if a person is qualified to do so. But, not a whole year or more of a nursing school. But, I'm just a silly little nursing student, so what do I know.

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I am a LTC/SNF LPN, I love it, and I definitely do not consider my self a pill passer. I definitely make it a point to know baselines, and watch for changes.

:)

I am attending an LPN to BSN bridge program for working Nurses at my local state university!!!! No student loans. It will take me 3 years because it is part time, BUT it is worth it!

Never discount the extra education needed to be an RN.

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LPNS have to take an NCLEX like RN's do. Interestingly, during this Pandemic, LPNS are working on the same units, and floors with covid patients, performing the same duties as an RN. In my hospital, LPNS were taken off the floor just weeks before the pandemic, and had to be sent back to help out. Why all of a sudden is education and license no longer important? Seems hypocritical to me.

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2 hours ago, virgomoon said:

WLPNS have to take an NCLEX like RN's do. Interestingly, during this Pandemic, LPNS are working on the same units, and floors with covid patients, performing the same duties as an RN. In my hospital, LPNS were taken off the floor just weeks before the pandemic, and had to be sent back to help out. Why all of a sudden is education and license no longer important? Seems hypocritical to me.

I'll agree with your assessment that this is hypocritical. I also found it hypocritical that an LVN I met on the job was doing home health start of care assessments and the RN was signing her assessments. We were taught in my BSN program that RN's assess and LVN's 'gather data'. Pounded into my little head. I don't know if that was supposed to say something about the skill set of the LVN or was it supposed to say something about the integrity of the RN who was taking advantage of the situation. Have yet to meet an LVN who can't open a book to look something up or open their mouth to ask a knowledgeable person a question. Same as an RN.

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I think they should allow the challenge. I worked some excellent graduate nurses, same difference. Here is the thing if they would decide today to do that. The wheels of change in nursing is an OLD RUSTY gear. By the time they would actually implement it you could be finished with the RN program and we'll on your way to retirement.

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I have my AS degree. Took first quarter of the RN program and started the second and withdrew. I did not like the way they instructed the course. All through lecture they say"highlight that it is important." I listen to this for 3 days of lecture, study and take the exam and not one damn thing they had me highlight was on the exam. Really, why did I have to waste all of that time. Only way I would consider it is to CLEP it.

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