Does anyone know of a program that allows 68W with a Paramedic to challenge the LPN NCLEX?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:29:19 -0400

The Air Force has a program for the 4N's to challenge the LPN NCLEX license and this allows for an accelerated program to BSN. It's through Missouri or Mississippi State. I was wondering if anyone knew of one for Army 68W with a Paramedic degree.

Response by Maj Robert Thornton made Jul 24 at 2023 10:28 AM

Maj Robert Thornton — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 10:28:45 -0400

One item I found was https://www.theclassroom.com/how-to-use-military-experience-to-become-an-lpn-13583514.html. I don’t know if it will be helpful. Albany State University in Albany, GA merged with Darton College, also in Albany. They had a paramedic to ADRN track prior to the merger, they may still have it. Also there was a community college outside Atlanta that had a paramedic to ADRN program as well.

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Response by COL Randall C. made Jul 24 at 2023 3:57 PM

COL Randall C. — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 15:57:23 -0400

Short answer: It depends, but yes there are (Military Bridge programs for "Medic to BSN" or Paramedic to RN*).

Longer answer: I'm a bit confused by the wording of your question as you mentioned the NCLEX-PN and allowing for an accelerated program to BSN. There are multiple programs that will allow you to earn a BSN in an accelerated manner because of your military medical training, but AFAIK, having passed the NCLEX-PN exam isn't one of them. Additionally, there are multiple states that will give you credit for clinical experience as a 68W which will allow you to challenge so you can take the NCLEX-PN, but I don't think that's what you're asking about.

Going with the assumption that your end goal is to become a licensed RN with a BSN, you'll have to get your BSN first (unless you get your ASN, get licensed, and then continue onwards to your BSN) and then meet your state's requirements for taking the NCLEX-RN (and pass it of course). Being a licensed nurse may be specific to the state which doesn't allow you to perform as an RN in another state. However, if the state you are getting licensed in is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)* then you can apply for a multi-state license which will be transferrable to any other state that is also part of the NLC.

So why did I go down that detour of information about licensing? Because each state sets the certification requirements before you can take the NCLEX-RN exam, the schools in that state will usually tailor accelerated programs to that state's requirements. You'll need to look at each state's Board of Nursing*. For example, Herzing University has an "Online Military Medic to BSN Program Bridge" program that a 68W can enroll in, but only if you live in eligible states (there are 17 of them, but North Dakota isn't one ... although they have been recognized by North Dakota's BON as a recognized program*)

So it all comes down to WHERE you want to take your initial test because where you get your BSN will have to meet that state's BON's requirements (for instance, if you get your BSN though a school that doesn't meet their requirements for the number of hours of supervised clinical experience).

Once you have passed the NCLEX-RN an become licensed in one state, then you won't have to retake it since you're transferring your license (they may have additional requirements in your new state though, such as proof of so many hours of continuing education within a specific timeframe).

Ok - since there is so much "unknowns", here's what you can do to get the answer you're looking for.
You can approach this one of two ways - determine which state you'll be taking the test in and work backwards from the requirements or locate a BSN course that you like and determine which states will allow that as part of their requirements.

To find the state's BON, just search for that state plus Board of Nursing (i.e., North Dakota Board of Nursing).

To find BSN programs that will give you credit for being a 68W, you can find most by using the keyword "bridge" in the search and use 'military medic' instead of 68W (i.e., military medic to BSN bridge program) and add whatever qualifiers that will refine your search (i.e., military medic to BSN bridge program North Dakota). BTW, the same goes if you're looking for programs that give you credit for your paramedic experience*.
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* Nurse Licensure Compact - https://www.nursecompact.com/
* Example of Military Bridge courses for medics - https://www.herzing.edu/nursing/military-medic-rn/online
* North Dakota's BON Recognized programs - https://www.ndbon.org/Education/Academic/DistanceNsgEdProg.asp
* North Dakota's BON exam requirements - https://www.ndbon.org/NurseLicensure/InitialExam/index.asp
* https://nursejournal.org/registered-nursing/best-paramedic-to-rn-bridge-programs-online/#best-paramedic-programs

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The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows for nurses to have one multistate license with the ability to practice in all compact states which increases access to care while maintaining public protection at the state level.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2023 3:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 15:29:31 -0400

Check the Army Cool program. I know it pays for you to take an NCLEX Prep course, but unsure if it will pay for the exam itself. COOL also goes hand in hand with the Army Credentialing Assistance Program which can provide up to 4K a year for credentialing as well as continuing education once you are
credentialed. That being said I am pretty confident NCLEX offers reimbursement for veterans and family members that challenge the exam if you you don’t qualify for assistance from these programs or they simply don’t have what you are looking for. I hope this helps.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2023 8:09 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Aug 2023 08:09:06 -0400

Thanks for the info everyone. Our state has paramedic to RN bridge programs but I am talking about just challenging the LPN NCLEX without taking courses. The AF has a program that allows 4Ns to basically submit an application to take the test due to their AFSC which requires an EMT-B NREMT. I am a 68W but I I hold me EMT-P. I was curious if there were programs out there through different states (I am in ND and they don't have one) that allows you to apply and challenge the NCLEX-LPN test based on Paramedic and 68W experience. I know I would have to study for the exam and it's hard but if I already had my LPN, THE university in my state has an LPN to BSN Program accelerated program.