How hard is LPN school?

agldragonRN · Oct 5, 2007

i am pre-nursing student i will go to lpn school next summer. i will have to quit my current job, which is not payed bad, in order to do that. i was just wondering how hard is the lpn program? for those of you who took pre-nursing classes, how hard is compared to pre-reqs (ap, algebra etc.)? is it like taking 4 aps at the same time plus clinicals?
thank you!

hi glina. i am now a senior in my 15-month lpn program. i did not have to take any pre-nursing classes for my program. what kind of classes are those? anyway, lpn program is hard but very doable if you have the determination to finish. my first semester was tough because i did not know what heck i was doing. i had to learn all the basic skills while the teacher is evaluating you. even hand washing was a very big deal. you had to do it the proper way. you will learn to adapt because it would seem like you are always constantly studying because there is a test almost everyday. but don't worry, it gets easier. once you finshed your first semester, it would be so much easier because you already know what your lpn program asks of you. so just hang in there and you will be a nurse soon enough. oh when you start your first clinicals, don't worry about the teacher's constantly breathing down your neck because you are working under their license and once you become a senior, they would trust you more and you get to do more stuff more independently. good luck with nursing school.

angel

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 6, 2007

I attended a full-time 12 month program, but I thought it was not that difficult. The program was not difficult or academically challenging in my opinion, but the hard part revolved around memorizing a mountain of material in a compressed amount of time. The tests and quizzes were frequent; therefore, I had to do a whole lot of reading. You will simply have to figure out what type of learner you are (for instance: visual, aural, kinesthetic, or read-write), and discover study methods that will complement your learning style. Good luck!

JoAnnS · Oct 6, 2007

Hi...........

I am in my first month. You have to have the time and dedication to study and read for school. I don't do anything else but study & read. I do the laundry once a week and buy the food on that same day.

After that, I have all the time in the world to study.

A&P can be hard.. but the best thing to do is READ

If you have the time to study.. I say go for it!!!!!!!

Nothing is too hard if you want it bad enough!

:idea:

Butterflybee · Oct 6, 2007

i found it was the most challenging thing ive had to do and ive done alot. The reason for that as previously mentioned is the amount of info you will need to know in a short period of time and the constant exams that you must pass. Med Surg is THE most challenging and will make or break you but most of our class passed it. Clinicals werent a major deal to me. At the end, your just burnt out completely! i can honestly say it isnt like anything you have probably done before. Youll be fine though at least youre asking here and will know what to expect.

Glina · Oct 9, 2007

Thank you all.

My LPN program does not require any pre-classes, but I am taking those anyway as I plan to bridge to RN after I am done with my LPN program. I am taking AP1 and algebra now.

dmy222 · Oct 8, 2010

Glina,

I was taking A&P 1 and English ! for pre-RN at a community college.

I moved to PA and having difficulty getting into an RN program,

so am also taking LPN with intent on continuing onto RN....

Thanks for asking this question...

it was what I was searching for :)

GoodtimeRN · Oct 11, 2010

Glina,
I was taking A&P 1 and English ! for pre-RN at a community college.
I moved to PA and having difficulty getting into an RN program,
so am also taking LPN with intent on continuing onto RN....
Thanks for asking this question...
it was what I was searching for :)

Glina,

I had the same issue (not being able to get into a RN program) so now I am taking the LPN route. I am so glad because I am gaining so much experience that I can put on my resume once I do become a RN! I am a good student, and I have taken some of the classes already (A&P, microbiology, etc) but I can honestly tell you this is one of the most challenging things I have ever done. My day at school is 7:30-2:30, then I do anywhere from 2-6 hours of studying and reading per night. The tests and quizzes are never ending (we have 3 tests a week and multiple quizzes ever day). You must have an average of 75% in each subject. 74.4% in any one subject will fail you for the entire program. There is no room for slackers. Our class has shrunk from 29 students down to 20 in a month. I think that if you work hard and put your all into EVERY SINGLE SUBJECT you will be great!!! And do everything that you want to do now because once classes start you can kiss your social life goodbye!!!

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2010

Glina,
I had the same issue (not being able to get into a RN program) so now I am taking the LPN route. I am so glad because I am gaining so much experience that I can put on my resume once I do become a RN! I am a good student, and I have taken some of the classes already (A&P, microbiology, etc) but I can honestly tell you this is one of the most challenging things I have ever done. My day at school is 7:30-2:30, then I do anywhere from 2-6 hours of studying and reading per night. The tests and quizzes are never ending (we have 3 tests a week and multiple quizzes ever day). You must have an average of 75% in each subject. 74.4% in any one subject will fail you for the entire program. There is no room for slackers. Our class has shrunk from 29 students down to 20 in a month. I think that if you work hard and put your all into EVERY SINGLE SUBJECT you will be great!!! And do everything that you want to do now because once classes start you can kiss your social life goodbye!!!

GoodtimeCNA, do you work during the week? I am starting school next month :up: and am still figuring out if its possible to work during the week or should I just work every weekend.. good luck in school :yeah: :yeah:

GoodtimeRN · Oct 12, 2010

GoodtimeCNA, do you work during the week? I am starting school next month and am still figuring out if its possible to work during the week or should I just work every weekend.. good luck in school :yeah:

I only work one day a week (Saturdays). I started off doing Saturday & Sunday but it was too much and I had no time to get anything done in my personal life. There are some other people who work during the week (usually 2-3 days during the week, then 1 weekend day). I would take weekdays off at least for the first 2 weeks so you can see how the program goes for you. There are some students who work 5 days a week, usually 3pm-11pm. I don't know how they do it (I give them SO MUCH CREDIT!), and I assume their academics suffer somewhat. But at the same time not everyone is as fortunate as I am and a lot of people HAVE to work full time. My advice would be to save up as much money as you can over the next month so you can afford to take a few extra days off a week! :twocents:

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2010

I only work one day a week (Saturdays). I started off doing Saturday & Sunday but it was too much and I had no time to get anything done in my personal life. There are some other people who work during the week (usually 2-3 days during the week, then 1 weekend day). I would take weekdays off at least for the first 2 weeks so you can see how the program goes for you. There are some students who work 5 days a week, usually 3pm-11pm. I don't know how they do it (I give them SO MUCH CREDIT!), and I assume their academics suffer somewhat. But at the same time not everyone is as fortunate as I am and a lot of people HAVE to work full time. My advice would be to save up as much money as you can over the next month so you can afford to take a few extra days off a week!

Thanks for the advice :) I think I'll work every other weekend. No working during the week for me!

karrikon · Apr 20, 2011

This was very helpful to me too. I am in a professional job and giving it up for school. I am terrified about making enough $. I hope I can do it because I am not one of the fortunates.