4 year BSN program: When can I take the NCLEX?

caliotter3 · May 20, 2012

You need to ask at your school because it depends on their policy. My BSN program allowed students to take the boards after completion of 75% of the program but changed that policy so that the entire program had to be completed. They stated that the change came about because students were using this policy as a "trial" run of the boards; so many were not passing, and this was making the school look bad. So the school changed their policy. Inquire about your school's policy.

llg, PhD, RN · May 20, 2012

It also depends on your state. In many states, you must have graduated from an approved school before being allowed to take the NCLEX.

dancehallradio · May 21, 2012

I am doing a four year BSN program because I eventually want to go to the graduate level to become a nurse practitioner. However, I'm confused as to when I can take the RN exam. Am I able to take the exam while still in the program and begin working as an RN while I complete my BSN? Or do I have to wait four years until I've completed the program?
If the later is the case, are there any alternatives that I can take in order to begin working and gaining nurse experience while completing my degree?

like everyone said, depends on the state. I live in MA, and in my school we have to complete our degree, and receive a stamped paper from our school, that we then send to the state board to begin the application process. There is absolutely no working as an RN until you have your license in this state. I know some places allow you to work as a new grad, with just your degree and not your license, but it really varies.

Loveismagical · May 21, 2012

Thank you so much for the replies. Greatly appreciated.

So then was I better off doing a two year program first, getting my RN license, and then doing my BSN? I was very undecided between this and now I'm starting to think I should have done the two year RN program first. But I feared that working as an RN would make it take longer in getting my BSN. I don't want it to take years for me to achieve my BSN because my ultimate goal is a NP. Any thoughts on this?

Again, are there any alternatives? I know I can work as a nurse's tech until I graduate but I'm not sure how much real "nursing" experience I'll get out of that. Also, do the requirements stand the same for the LPN exam as well?

Julesmama28 · May 21, 2012

Does the four years include pre reqs? I am starting my BSN program this fall, but it will only be 5 semesters before I'm finished. Not much longer than if I'd done the two year ASN instead.

Julesmama28 · May 21, 2012

Oh, and working as a tech is very good! You will get a lot of hands on experience in many aspects of nursing, plus you get to watch the other nurses do things you will be doing!

Loveismagical · May 21, 2012

No, it doesn't include pre-reqs. It's an 8 semester program and we start nursing courses freshman year. Clinicals begin sophomore year. It's a full 4 year nursing program.

Is working as a tech the same work/experience as a nursing intern? Would being a tech benefit me at all in terms of getting a job once I get my RN license?

I guess what I'm trying to ask is, is nurse tech considered "nursing experience" and will it be look upon positively when I apply for graduate/NP programs?

Loveismagical · May 22, 2012

Also, how soon into nursing school can I actually begin working as a tech? Are there a certain amount of courses/credits that need to be completed or can I just begin at any time?

llg, PhD, RN · May 22, 2012

Also, how soon into nursing school can I actually begin working as a tech? Are there a certain amount of courses/credits that need to be completed or can I just begin at any time?

Again, it depends on your state's laws and the hospital's policies. You'll have to check with the hospitals in your area. At my hospital, we will hire nursing students into nursing assistant roles after they have completed 2 full semesters of clinical rotations. But that's not universal in my area -- that's just our practice here at this hospital.

Loveismagical · May 26, 2012

Ok, I will look into that and ask around. Thank you so much!

SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS · May 26, 2012

Thank you so much for the replies. Greatly appreciated.
So then was I better off doing a two year program first, getting my RN license, and then doing my BSN? I was very undecided between this and now I'm starting to think I should have done the two year RN program first. But I feared that working as an RN would make it take longer in getting my BSN. I don't want it to take years for me to achieve my BSN because my ultimate goal is a NP. Any thoughts on this?
Again, are there any alternatives? I know I can work as a nurse's tech until I graduate but I'm not sure how much real "nursing" experience I'll get out of that. Also, do the requirements stand the same for the LPN exam as well?

Many people have done ADN first, then worked as an RN while earning a BSN. That is not what I did, but I think that route makes a lot of sense and I kind of wish I would have done it that way. You might get tuition reimbursement from your employer, and also the theory and leadership components of the BSN would make more sense in context. After reading more about Florence Nightingale and her philosophy of continuing education, I believe this even more strongly.

Some also do the LPN to ADN route.