Nursing

Phasing out of the Option Permitting Students in RN Nursing Programs to Practice as LPNs

This is to notify you that as of June 1, 2007 the State Education Department will no longer accept applications for licensed practical nursing based on completion of Form 2-EQ. This option permits students in programs for registered professional nursing (RNs) to apply for Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) licensure after having:

• Completed at least three semesters of a registered professional nursing program,
• Completed clinical components in each of the three semesters completed,
• Earned 20 semester hours in nursing courses which include a clinical nursing component, and
• Received a grade of “C” or better in both clinical and classroom components of each nursing course.

(PLEASE NOTE:  This means that by June 1, 2007 applications must be received and requirements must be met and submitted.  Those received after this date will not be reviewed.)

Several factors resulted in the Department’s position to phase out this option.  Based on a number of patient safety concerns the Department re-examined its policy regarding this issue. Our investigation found that:

• As a result of curricular changes in registered professional nursing programs, the fourth semester of the program may contain all of the didactic and clinical assignments related to certain content areas such as obstetrical or psychiatric nursing, for example. Students not taking this last semester and licensed as LPNs under the 2-EQ option, therefore, might have little or no contact in these areas.  We have concluded that the assumption of substantial equivalence can no longer be supported. 
• Persons licensed as LPNs under this option have had no content on the differentiated scope of practice of LPNs and RNs and therefore do not know how to practice as an LPN.
• Individuals so licensed are not able to be licensed in other jurisdictions as the requirement in other states is for completion of an LPN program.
• This option is not available in any of the 47 professions regulated by the Department.

 Within the past year staff has met with members of the Council of Associate Degree Nursing, Inc., the Council of Deans of Nursing, Senior Colleges and Universities of New York State and the LPN Council.  There has been wide spread support for elimination of this option among all three groups of educators as well as nursing professional associations.

In order to provide you with time to instruct your students about this change, the implementation date for this change is set for June 1, 2007.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact me directly by phone, 518-474-3817 (press or say 1 followed by extension 120), e-mail, bzittel@mail.nysed.gov, or mail, The State Education Building, 2nd floor West Wing, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12234.  Thank you for your part in assisting us in dealing with this issue and continuing to assure that the residents of New York are provided safe and competent nursing care. 

* PLEASE NOTE:  This means that by June 1, 2007 applications must be received and requirements must be met and submitted.  Those received after this date will not be reviewed.