What schools allow you to challenge the LPN boards in the United States?

Nursing Students NCLEX

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Hi. So my background information is that I had already gone through LPN school and passed my boards. I’m in the RN program right now and I already knocked out 5 of my classes. However, I’m curious about this subject to see if such a thing still exists. When I went to LPN school, it felt like a mini RN program and it was taught like it was stuck in a time period where LPNs we’re still used commonly in a hospital rather than preparing them for more common jobs they would find in today’s world as of July 1st 2020. Based on the RN classes I have finished so far, I think it would make sense to be able to challenge the LPN boards. Most of the content in the RN program seems familiar but anyways, has anyone challenged the LPN boards who lives in the USA?

Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Some of the local community colleges did allow RN students to take the NCLEX-PN after reaching a certain point in the program (or at risk of failing their program). I’m not sure if they still do this or not. But I would think that the nursing program would have to incorporate this into the program planning and be approved by the state’s BON before being implemented. I do know that an RN student cannot randomly decide to go take the NCLEX-PN, though, if that’s what you’re asking. That NCLEX ‘red tape’ doesn’t have a work-around.?

I know an RN student can’t just walk in on the NCLEX-PN. I just wanted to see which colleges and states allowed challenging the NCLEX-PN based off of some completed RN courses.

Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

In my area, it wasn’t a ‘state’ thing (for lack of a better term), moreso than an individual program option. I think you can find this information by a Googling a particular state to see if there are any programs within that state that have this option as part of its nursing program.

I'm confused. You already went through an LPN program and passed boards. Are you already a licensed LPN? I ask because you then say you've already taken 5 RN classes and want to know if you can challenge the LPN boards.

So again I ask are you already a licensed LPN and just asking, or have you never taken the PN-NCLEX and want to challenge it?

Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

In the first sentence, the OP said that he/she already passed boards. I’m wondering if this is general curiosity, or maybe info that is sought to share with other students(???). I do know the option did exist a few years ago; I’m not sure about now. And even then, it wasn’t offered in every program in this state.

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I’m an LPN already. I went to school for it and graduated from my program and passed my boards obviously. I’m just curious, that’s all. If anything, this question will help other people who are lurking here. Also, I’ve completed 5 RN classes after passing my LPN boards.

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Concorde Career Colleges allow RN students that have completed medsurg 1&2, maternity, peds, and psyc to challenge the LPN board in FL. The FL BON allows it also. The process took 4 business days. I know first hand because I failed the NCLEX RN earlier this month and challenged the board to take the NCLEX PN. I passed on the 18th of this month and was able to accept a job in corrections. My manager knows I retest for NCLEX RN next month. I'm just happy to be a nurse and be working. The process took 4 business days. I hope this helps ?

1 Votes
1 hour ago, Stevo40 said:

Concorde Career Colleges allow RN students that have completed medsurg 1&2, maternity, peds, and psyc to challenge the LPN board in FL. The FL BON allows it also. The process took 4 business days. I know first hand because I failed the NCLEX RN earlier this month and challenged the board to take the NCLEX PN. I passed on the 18th of this month and was able to accept a job in corrections. My manager knows I retest for NCLEX RN next month. I'm just happy to be a nurse and be working. The process took 4 business days. I hope this helps ?

That’s pretty much all my nursing courses in my RN program if you have to finish all that. In my program, you would be graduating with your RN by the time you completed all those classes and there wouldn’t be a point to take the LPN boards.

7 hours ago, Nursing pursuit said:

That’s pretty much all my nursing courses in my RN program if you have to finish all that. In my program, you would be graduating with your RN by the time you completed all those classes and there wouldn’t be a point to take the LPN boards.

Exactly? We had a total of 5 terms. After successful completion of the 4th term, we were offered the opportunity to challenge the LPN boards for those that wanted to start working right away (non-traditional students with families to feed). In term 5 we had medsurg 3 and transition/capstone. Actually my wife asked me to do this during our term break, but I refused. However, I ended up doing it in the end anyways? I am greatful this was an option for me. Now while I prepare to retake the NCLEX-RN, I can provide for my family at the same time.

1 Votes
8 minutes ago, Stevo40 said:

Exactly? We had a total of 5 terms. After successful completion of the 4th term, we were offered the opportunity to challenge the LPN boards for those that wanted to start working right away (non-traditional students with families to feed). In term 5 we had medsurg 3 and transition/capstone. Actually my wife asked me to do this during our term break, but I refused. However, I ended up doing it in the end anyways? I am greatful this was an option for me. Now while I prepare to retake the NCLEX-RN, I can provide for my family at the same time.

It would only be worth it if you can challenge the LPN boards after the first year is done in a two year RN program. I thought those kinds of programs existed but I haven’t heard of them.

2 minutes ago, Nursing pursuit said:

It would only be worth it if you can challenge the LPN boards after the first year is done in a two year RN program. I thought those kinds of programs existed but I haven’t heard of them.

Well its not worth it to you. However, its worth it to me.

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