Trying to challenge RN boards

sbic56, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2003

I don't know how many times I said I'd give them a grand to clep the entire RN upgrade program and take RN boards. I was as prepared to pass them prior to going back to school as I was after having been a very active LPN for 13 years. I totally believe it should be an option, but the bottom line is $$ and there is no way the colleges are going to miss out on that by letting LPN's go straight to sitting for boards. The upgrade program was a good refresher, but I could have read over a few NCLEX books and achieved the same benefit.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2003

My best friend challenged the RN boards when she was 3/4 of the way through a BSN program. She passed and has her RN license, but this was many years ago, and her license is only accepted in 3 states.

babyboomerRN, RN · Dec 27, 2003

Originally posted by sbic56
I don't know how many times I said I'd give them a grand to clep the entire RN upgrade program and take RN boards. I was as prepared to pass them prior to going back to school as I was after having been a very active LPN for 13 years. I totally believe it should be an option, but the bottom line is $$ and there is no way the colleges are going to miss out on that by letting LPN's go straight to sitting for boards. The upgrade program was a good refresher, but I could have read over a few NCLEX books and achieved the same benefit.

i disagree! i was a very active LPN for 20 years and there was no way i could have taken my RN boards w/o taking the bridge program! i was an lpn who always thought that there was no real differance between rn/lpn until i got to school! so please don't "flame"me because i do feel that challanging rn boards should not be an option.

sbic56, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2003

Originally posted by babyboomerRN
i disagree! i was a very active LPN for 20 years and there was no way i could have taken my RN boards w/o taking the bridge program! i was an lpn who always thought that there was no real differance between rn/lpn until i got to school! so please don't "flame"me because i do feel that challanging rn boards should not be an option.

If it were an option and you chose to take that option, it sounds like you beleive you may not have passed. So what harm done? You could then go through the program and take the boards again. I believe I would have passed, proving minimal competence as and RN, without going through the program. No flame for your opinion, but I do think that LPN's who believe they can pass boards should be allowed the option.

ratchit · Dec 27, 2003

Should RN's be able to challenge the boards for NP or CRNA? I've worked in critical care for years, and guided many a new intern through situations where they were in over their heads. Could I pass a multiple choice NP or even MD board exam? Quite possibly. Does that mean I'm adequately trained as an NP or MD? Nope.

I'm not slamming you or LPNs here. My best preceptor ever was an LPN. But the education programs are different. I don't think LPNs should have to start all over.

But I do think that there should be some classroom time between LPN and RN, not just O-J-T.

ktwlpn, LPN · Dec 27, 2003

Originally posted by sbic56
. I believe I would have passed, proving minimal competence as and RN, without going through the program. .

I really don't think THAT would be something to be proud of.. quote.>babyboomerrn....i was an lpn who always thought that there was no real differance between rn/lpn until i got to school!>>> Glad that you posted this here-you got a big surprise didn't you when you found out the real differences....

Trauma Columnist · Dec 27, 2003

I too went the LPN to RN route. After taking the NCLEX - I thought it was quite easy. However, I found the actual job to be different. The way of looking at a problem is different for an LPN vs RN. I am now in a combined BSN/MSN and while I need the letters after the RN, I don't think its making me a better nurse. BTW - I notice you say you are an older nurse. I went into nursing at 32, graduated with LPN at 34, RN at 36 and will have a BSN at age 45 and MSN at age 46. Age is relative.

sbic56, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2003

ratchit

I do respect your opinion and take no offense to your position regarding extra classroom time for LPN's advancing to RN, except for the fact that I don't believe I gained much from it. I learned far more on the floor in the 13 years as an LPN than I ever could in the classroom and a few clinicals. Not bragging, just stating fact, that I graduated as salutatorian of my class without much effort. Surely, this wasn't because I am all that bright, but I was all that experienced. My years as an LPN were what made me the nurse I am, not an extra year of training. As with many LPN's I practiced outside the scope of my license out of necessity and yes, maybe that wasn't so smart, but that is the reality of nursing. I was already functioning as an RN before I ever went back to school. The reason I did go back was for job security.

I can't speak for CRNA's and NP's, only for my own personal experience as an LPN to RN. I am contemplating going for my psych certification in nursing, because I believe I will benefit from that in a way that I wouldn't be able to do by OTJ training alone. If I decide to go for my BSN, I know I should have to take those BSN classes, because they are over and above what was offered at the ADN level. I can't honestly say the same about the LPN to RN cirriculum; IMO, the programs were very close in cirriculum and what I leaned OTJ was merely reinforced in the RN program. I am all for advanced education for the sake of increasing knowlege, but not for the sake of bringing $$ into the colleges, which I believe this is sometimes all about.

sbic56, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2003

I really don't think THAT would be something to be proud of..

ktwlpn

I made that statement because that is the criteria, not because of any matter of pride.

ktwlpn, LPN · Dec 27, 2003

Originally posted by sbic56
ktwlpn

I made that statement because that is the criteria, not because of any matter of pride.

dood-it just struck me as funny as h#ll...I worked with a nurse years ago that used to tell everyone she passed her boards by 1 point..I just don't think "minimal competence" is a good thing or anything to aspire too..I would rather be a really competent LPN then a minimally competent RN...Sadly we all know plenty of "minimally competents" don't we?

sbic56, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2003

Originally posted by ktwlpn
dood-it just struck me as funny as h#ll...I worked with a nurse years ago that used to tell everyone she passed her boards by 1 point..I just don't think "minimal competence" is a good thing or anything to aspire too..I would rather be a really competent LPN then a minimally competent RN...Sadly we all know plenty of "minimally competents" don't we?

I always thought they should refer to it as something else than "minimally competent". That just sounds bad! Sad part is, some who are way more than "minimally competent" fail boards because they don't test well. But, then that is another story altogether!

cbrnbloompa · Dec 27, 2003

Although you are an LVN, RN is very different and I totally recommend going to an RN accredited school.