California LVN Licensure and Challenging the Boards
Currently, the United States is facing a shortage of nurses. The demand for healthcare services, combined with existing health care laws and a growing aging population, has led to a situation where nurses are in high demand. Healthcare organizations have often had to manage with fewer nurses due to this increased need.
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One approach to tackle the nursing shortage is to provide licensing options for LPNs/LVNs. In California, individuals aspiring to be LVNs can challenge the board and take the LVN licensing exam without having to go through an approved formal LVN program.
While this might sound promising, there are strict rules for obtaining licensure through this method. First, applicants must have the equivalent of 51 months of paid bedside nursing experience. If the applicant has completed part of formal nursing education, it may substitute for some of the bedside work experience.
The work experience must be paid, in the inpatient setting, and include specific experiences:
- 48 months in medical-surgical nursing
- Six weeks in maternity or genitourinary nursing
- Six weeks in pediatric nursing
This work experience must have occurred within the last ten years, with half of the experience within the previous five years. Verification of employment is also required for licensure and must come from an RN director or supervisor. The verification should confirm that the applicant has demonstrated basic bedside nursing skills (like ambulation, catheter care, specimen collection, range of motion, etc.) and infection control procedures.
In addition to work experience, a 54 theory-hour pharmacology course is necessary. Applicants must ensure the course covers essential principles, including:
- Knowledge of commonly used drugs and their action;
- Computation of dosages
- Preparation of medications
- Principles of administration
While getting licensed through an exam helps nurses enter the workforce, there are considerations to keep in mind. For instance, it’s important to note that while this licensure method is valid in California, no other states accept LVNs who are licensed by equivalency. Additionally, obtaining licensure this way may limit the nurse’s hiring opportunities, as many employers prefer candidates who have completed a formal nursing education program.
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