Help! Other ways from LVN to RN?

[Steve1]

****o!
I started out as an Air Force corpsman and I was in for 8 years. I voluntered for as much extra education as I could (pharmacy, suturing, ACLS, etc.) and was certified in everything. I was given certificates for all. I need not tell you if anyone did military duty in the medical corps as I did that you are allowed to do many things that only an RN in the civilian world is allowed to do. When I got out I worked in various clinics and because of my skills I did a lot of work under the doctors licenses as they utilized all I had to offer. I decided to get my nursing license so I gave all my military paperwork and certification to the California LVN board and they authorized me to test. The test took me about 40 minutes and 3 weeks later I had my license.
Here is my delema. I work in clinical research now with a base pay of about $65,000 a year - this is before bonuses. Knowing the nature of research, I thought it would be a good idea to get my RN should I ever need to change fields. I have checked with 3 colleges in my area and given them all my paperwork and they all said the same thing - I have to have at least a year of classes that are held in hospitals during the day shift when all departments are open. I work in hospitals now doing clinical research and I'm more than familiar with their workings. I've been working in the capacity of an RN for more than 20 years and have been licensed for the past 4. What has been presented to me is - I have to quit my nursing job to go to school and become a nurse! There appears to be no flexibility here. No one will let me do anything in the evening or by internet. It's day classes or nothing! I can't believe there's no other way to obtain my RN in the state of California. What galls me to death though is the attitude of the older female nurses at the colleges I have spoken to that take clear pleasure in my problem. The last college I talked to, their nursing director said to me "Gosh, it must be awfull for you (tilt head to the side, gleam in eye) to think you were superman with all your illeagle skills and now find out that you're basically a nobody." ... I was less than pleased...
I have a friend that teaches NCLEX classes and she gave me an informal test. She informed me that I could take the RN boards today and pass, but I'm not alowed to test.
Does anyone have any information that could help?
Thanks for reading this!

Stephen L. Ingalls, LVN

[NurseKevin]

Well dude, sorry for the belated reply...

http://www.college-net.com/nursing/allnurses/
I saw that link in an ad on another forum...

Check it out..

I too, am a military man..medic..then Army practical Nurse ... I think that it is a shame that we cannot challenge the RN boards as well..

good luck to you

[Combat Medic]

Hey Steve!

I just came across your email in my own search for the same information. I am in the same boat as you in regards to experience... We have all of these certifications which really don't mean jack to civilians.

But there is a positive side... I assume that you were a 902/4N0 correct? Any Special Skill Identifier? ie IDMT, Neuro, or Allergy/Imm.?

Assuming this is the case, West Virginia will allow you to challenge their RN board. Obviously it would be transferrable to other states, I'm not sure what states would accept the WV licensure. I will continue my search and let you know if I find anything else.
~Derek

[thekingster]

Hey Steve!

I just came across your email in my own search for the same information. I am in the same boat as you in regards to experience... We have all of these certifications which really don't mean jack to civilians.

But there is a positive side... I assume that you were a 902/4N0 correct? Any Special Skill Identifier? ie IDMT, Neuro, or Allergy/Imm.?

Assuming this is the case, West Virginia will allow you to challenge their RN board. Obviously it would be transferrable to other states, I'm not sure what states would accept the WV licensure. I will continue my search and let you know if I find anything else.
~Derek

Derek,
Having just called W Va about this very issue...I was given quite a "negative" response. I am a critical care LPN with 6 years experience, BA, and an MBA. I was told that the bylaw (I have the application packet here...) is '...30 years old and was based on a different era of nursing education...'

Has anyone here seen someone challenge the RN board in W Va? I was turned on to it by a friend...but it turns out that the old adage is apparently true:

If it sound too good to be true...it probably is...

Anyone have follow-up?

I don't "do" forums much any more...direct email response is appreciated...

Steven King
thekingster@gmail.com

[jbrabbs]

Hay I just found this sight and have some info. You can go to Excelsior .com, or Excelsior .edu they have a online course that is very realistic. Thanks. Joe

[petelpn]

Same boat, I was a Navy cropsman challenged the California state board and have been working since, Ca will not accept excelsior but now indiana state universty and sonoma have something going but looks fairly expensive, it's half online half practicals up north, I aam being sneaky, registered with states for license by endiorsement denied by CO, AK, AZ., Then founf FL, they also allow an excelsior challenge to RN board, that's the ticket for me, hope it helps good luck

[Ricu]

Hi folks,

I'm an Excelsior graduate although then, it was Regent's College. I had no trouble with state boards in Maine and now it's a compact state with New Hampshire, Vermont and two others, Illinois and Colorado I believe, but I'm not sure.

R