RN student - can I challenge the LVN/LPN NCLEX?

HisHands, ASN, RN · May 9, 2007

1 - I think it's bunk that RNs who FAILED school are trying to become LPNs. If you FAILED nursing school obviously you missed something there. There must have been concepts that you didn't understand. I'm sorry but I would NEVER let you anywhere near my family or friends. There are always other programs you could go through. You should not just be granted the ability to take the same boards as me just because you failed your higher classes.

2. Tell me that the LPN who owns her own accredited HH agency isn't practicing autonomously. On that note, I don't think I know one new RN who is qualified to practice autonomously. Pretty please help me see the light.

suzanne4, RN · May 9, 2007

The CA school I attended would let students do this. After completing 75% of the nursing program you could take the RN boards or the LVN boards; all prior to graduation. Your school should provide you with the info. Also contact the BVNPT for info on this subject. Good luck.
I just went back and looked at the dates of the posts. For the person in Alabama, you need to contact the licensing agency in Alabama for the answer to your questions.

This is late for me to respond to, but you cannot sit for the NCLEX-RN in CA until you have graduated from the program. There is no way that you can write that exam after completing 75% of the RN program.

You may write the PN exam since you will have completed the required coursework and clinicals by the time that you have finished 75%.

But definitely not the RN exam for regular nursing programs. For the direct entry MSN, then you would be able to write the NCLEX exam when you have completed the required courses. But not for regular nursing programs.

Hoping LVN2BSN · May 10, 2007

This is late for me to respond to, but you cannot sit for the NCLEX-RN in CA until you have graduated from the program. There is no way that you can write that exam after completing 75% of the RN program.
You may write the PN exam since you will have completed the required coursework and clinicals by the time that you have finished 75%.
But definitely not the RN exam for regular nursing programs. For the direct entry MSN, then you would be able to write the NCLEX exam when you have completed the required courses. But not for regular nursing programs.

CA BRN allows students that haven't graduated to take the NCLEX-RN. National University allows you to take the RN exam without graduating, only problem with that is when you do that you'll be a non-grad RN even after you graduate (verified with the CA BRN.) Similar to the LVN-RN 30 unit option, you'll only be able to work in your state and your license most likely won't transfer to any other state. Some schools do it, I guess not all because it's not very wise. But you have to finish all the nursing portion first.

caliotter3 · May 11, 2007

suzanne4

The CA school that I attended allowed RN testing after 75% of the program. I no longer have the document stating this policy. Since they changed their policy in 1995 or 1996 to allow only LVN testing (and not RN testing) it is a moot point today. However, the application from the BRN to test for RN includes the non-graduate option. I do not know how this plays into the equation at that particular school. If a person has completed 80% or 90% of their program and does not finish, I do not think the school can go back and change grades to failing just to prevent that person from testing as an otherwise qualified "non-graduate".

suzanne4, RN · May 11, 2007

CA BRN allows students that haven't graduated to take the NCLEX-RN. National University allows you to take the RN exam without graduating, only problem with that is when you do that you'll be a non-grad RN even after you graduate (verified with the CA BRN.) Similar to the LVN-RN 30 unit option, you'll only be able to work in your state and your license most likely won't transfer to any other state. Some schools do it, I guess not all because it's not very wise. But you have to finish all the nursing portion first.

Sorry, but in essence that have completed all of the required course work needed to meet the requirements for the RN license. There is a big difference with that, then saying that you can take the exam without graduating for the RN. All required coursework for that license must be completed. Even the same for the RN student that wishes to take the PN exam, they must have all coursework completed to meet the requirements. That is one reason that not all two year programs are able to do this after finishing the first year. Not all have all of the required areas in the first year.

And most programs have the final classes that are required at the end of their program, they are not front loaded. And National University is not the one that grants permission to sit for the NCLEX-RN. All approval comes thru the BRN and the required courses must be completed. That simple.

Soup Turtle · May 11, 2007

2. Tell me that the LPN who owns her own accredited HH agency isn't practicing autonomously. On that note, I don't think I know one new RN who is qualified to practice autonomously. Pretty please help me see the light.

I don't know how it works in the real world because I just started school this past semester. What we're taught, however, is that some things cannot be delegated to LVNs. LVNs are not supposed to do initial assessments, for example. We've been told that RNs often sign off on LVN's assessments, but that if something goes wrong, the RN will be in trouble because initial assessments cannot "officially" be done by an LVN.

Fiona59 · May 11, 2007

I think you need to learn the scope of practice for YOUR state. Hell, half of what I do here in my province would be illegal in some states.

Donde · May 13, 2007

Hello Nurses!
I have just recently failed my fourth semester as an RN student at a community college here in CALIFORNIA.
I would like to take LVN boards so I can work in the summer while waiting to get back in to RN program again in the fall so I can graduate already.
Since I have finished three semesters already, am I qualified to take the NCLEX LVN here in CALIFORNIA?
What do I need to do to apply to take the NCLEX?
How long does it take for the boards to notify you when you can take the test?
How long does it take to receive your test results?
I have so many questions, and I apologize for that.
But I've been so stressed out after failing that I don't know what to do.
I appreciate all the help I can get.
Thanks you guys!

I am currently reviewing for my NCLEX-RN with America Healthways Education in Artesia/Cerritos, CA and asked your question to one of reviewees and I was told that, if you have a year left before you graduate, you may qualify to challenge the LVN. Application may take 3 months to process. In your case, you have one semester left and it should be no problem. Good luck on your NCLEX-VN.

khrissi17 · May 17, 2007

1 - I think it's bunk that RNs who FAILED school are trying to become LPNs. If you FAILED nursing school obviously you missed something there. There must have been concepts that you didn't understand. I'm sorry but I would NEVER let you anywhere near my family or friends. There are always other programs you could go through. You should not just be granted the ability to take the same boards as me just because you failed your higher classes.
2. Tell me that the LPN who owns her own accredited HH agency isn't practicing autonomously. On that note, I don't think I know one new RN who is qualified to practice autonomously. Pretty please help me see the light.

:madface: Not everyone who sits in for the LPN boards has FAILED RN school because you can't sit in for the boards if you FAILED RN school. People sit in for the LPN boards just in case they need something to fall back on or if family or finacial burdens occur to say the least. I am sick and tired of these boards going at each others throats abut what license or degree a person has! That's what nurses are complaining about sticking together! Also I think people should stop generalizing RNs and RN students as one because not all of us look down on LPNS and CNAs. Also not everyone who fails nursing school fails or gets kicked out because of a grade- every school is different and so is every professor..This board just pissed me off with some of these selfish comments:angryfire

Fiona59 · May 17, 2007

I think you are missing some of our points.

Here in Canada, you can only write the PN exam if you are a graduate of a PN educational institute. RN students can only work as employed nursing students or some such title while they are still at uni, they cannot call themselves nurses, nor can they write and qualify as LPNs.

I think those PNs in the States who feel strongly about this need to contact their professional associations and ask why this is permitted. Employed RN students should be listed as "accredited care workers (ACW), ENS-employed nursing students, etc.

Hoping LVN2BSN · May 18, 2007

Sorry, but in essence that have completed all of the required course work needed to meet the requirements for the RN license. There is a big difference with that, then saying that you can take the exam without graduating for the RN. All required coursework for that license must be completed. Even the same for the RN student that wishes to take the PN exam, they must have all coursework completed to meet the requirements. That is one reason that not all two year programs are able to do this after finishing the first year. Not all have all of the required areas in the first year.
And most programs have the final classes that are required at the end of their program, they are not front loaded. And National University is not the one that grants permission to sit for the NCLEX-RN. All approval comes thru the BRN and the required courses must be completed. That simple.

Okay...

asquared · May 22, 2007

Hello Nurses!
I have just recently failed my fourth semester as an RN student at a community college here in CALIFORNIA.
I would like to take LVN boards so I can work in the summer while waiting to get back in to RN program again in the fall so I can graduate already.
Since I have finished three semesters already, am I qualified to take the NCLEX LVN here in CALIFORNIA?
What do I need to do to apply to take the NCLEX?
How long does it take for the boards to notify you when you can take the test?
How long does it take to receive your test results?
I have so many questions, and I apologize for that.
But I've been so stressed out after failing that I don't know what to do.
I appreciate all the help I can get.
Thanks you guys!

I also did that, I failed the last class I needed to graduate with an RN degree. Here in NY they are getting rid of allowing ADN students to take the NCLEX-PN by June 1st. The old rule allowed RN students to take the LPN boards after three semesters of nursing school. Your nursing school department should know if there are any new rules or what. Definetely find out so you don't get locked out.