Trying to challenge RN boards

ktwlpn, LPN · Dec 22, 2003

Originally posted by krispynurse
Is it possible for a 16 year veteren LVN to challenge the RN boards?? And if so how would I go about it?? :confused:

Contact your local nursing schols...Many programs offer lpn bridge to Rn programs ...You can't just challenge the RN boards (and should not be permitted to do so anyway IMHO)and you better get your flame retardent suit on and get ready for the show....This is always a touchy subject....

Agnus · Dec 22, 2003

It is entirely up to your state board. The likely answer is NO.

I went from LPN to RN. It is not what you think.

Try http://www.excelsior.edu. They offer a program that allows you to test out of every RN class and then be elegible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. You test out as quickly as you like. There are about 5 multiple choice nursinging exams and one performance exam.

Love-A-Nurse · Dec 22, 2003

there are some [pre-reqs/general/and nursing] classes/exams you can clep, but formal knowledge through learning and test taking along with some amount of clinical is the only way i know you may go from lpn/lvn to rn which one has to sit for boards after obtaining a degree.

agnus is correct, it is not what you may think to get there although you are an lvn.

i do wish you the best.

austin heart, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2003

Being an Odessa College Grad, I know that they do have a bridge program, though I would not recommend the school. That is unless they have made some major changes. Midland College also has a bridge program as well, but harder to get into. I would not think that one could challenge the RN boards, and I agree with ktwlpn, I don't think one should be permitted to. No offense to LVNs, I worked as one for 2 years before I went back to school. I believed I learned a great deal more about nursing in that last 2 semesters of school. I worked hard to have those two letters behind my name. IMOH I think that LVNs, no matter how long they have been practicing, have to earn it just like everyone else.

BTW, are you working at Medical Center or ORH. I still have friends that work at both. I have been gone for about 4 years now, but my parents still live there. In fact I will be enjoying a good ole' dirt storm for Christmas this year.

:)

krispynurse · Dec 22, 2003

thanks all of you for your responses to my question....i knew that i was gonna step on some toes with this but i know i can handle them. it doesn't hurt to ask right??? isn't what this forum is all about??? we move so much with my husband's job i think my best bet is to try excelsior college but i've heard sooooooo much about the final that i'm afraid that i will forget and use some of my so-called shortcuts (we all have them) and forget to go by the book like i will have to and i hear it's a few thousand a pop to do this clinical at the end...boy i better start saving my dollars :chuckle i really am a caring and excellent nurse and my patients come first. but now that i'm older i get tired of hearing things like you"re just an lvn so i guess no i know that i gotta do something about it. there are alot of good lvn's out there that can teach you alot but i have also known alot of good ole rn's from the old schools who have taught me alot. nursing has changed so much through the years that i have worked in the medical field that it's scarey and i guess this has been one of the main reasons that i have not finished my rn degree--yes i have started several times and have gotten all the garbage such as history, english, etc out of my way so again i thank you and have a happy holiday.:biggringi

i fixed your vb code hope it's ok

jschut, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2003

:chuckle Hey~ I'm "just" a LPN too......

You can do this. Practice,Practice ,Practice! when it comes to doing the clinical at the end of Excelsior! Know it back and forth, frontwards and backwards!

You CAN do this~if you really want it~ you can do this....

God bless~

Julie :)

mattsmom81 · Dec 23, 2003

I have several friends who took the Excelsior route from LVN to RN...yes it's jumping through hoops and took some effort but they would do it again. Sitting in classrooms didn't fit their lifestyle. Excelsior afforded them a changce to advance their credentials on their own time. And they worked fulltime while doing it.

Good luck whatever you decide...I was a LPN first/RN now. :cool:

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2003

In my state, you have to have graduated from an accrdited Registered Nursing program to be able to sit for boards. Whether it be an online program(ADN or BSN) or other, you still have to have the clinical hours and diploma from the program to take NCLEX-RN.

A good bridge program is great. I bridged to RN, bridge programs are usually fast paced, at least 6 weeks of 5 full day a week classes/clincals and then there is still at least another year of a nursing program you need to complete(post-pre-reqs) in a ADN program to sit for NCLEX-RN.

And just my 2cents,,, i also dont think LPN's should be able to challenge boards. Coming from an LPN,, to a RN I doubt that it would be a positive outcome anyway. LPN's know their stuff, but working as a RN is a whole other mind set from the LPN role.

zenman · Dec 27, 2003

As an Army corpsman, I challenged the California state boards in the early 70s. Then went to get BSN at Excelsior. Had to retake the boards again for Louisiana. Did better in some areas the first time around!!

Agnus · Dec 27, 2003

The "final" that is the CPNE Clinical Performance Nursing Exam ist tought. However, they tell you up front exactly what you are expected to do, what is critical to pass and even have workshops etc to help you prepare.

Learn thier way and practice practice practice. Memorize the critical elements. Contrary to rumors most pass the first time. Those who did not pass did not take the time to prepare. They were in too big a hurry to take the exam and just were not ready for it.

Sarah Kat · Dec 27, 2003

Originally posted by Agnus
Contrary to rumors most pass the first time. Those who did not pass did not take the time to prepare. They were in too big a hurry to take the exam and just were not ready for it.

Just like the NCLEX.