Lpn Student Seeking Wisdom

flwannaB · Jul 13, 2006

I don't wish to be negative but I cannot see how you could work full time and go to school full time. I know people do it but even the people that work parttime struggle. I would only say that LPN is a challange and if there is anyway that you can only work part time, I would do it.

Hey guys!
I will be starting the LPN program Sept 2006 at Orlando Tech. I'm a nervous wreck! I will be taking the program full-time (it's a 52-week program) and also working at a clinic (doing administrative work not clinical) also full-time. I was wondering if any of you have any words of wisdom! What can I expect out of the program? How did you survive the boards? What is the starting salary for an LPN newly graduated? I intend on staying in Orlando after I graduate so that I can do the transtion program at Valencia. ALSO, if anyone out there is an ORL TECh alum, if you guys can help me out by letting me know what books I'll need? Again, any soothing advice and sound wisdom will help!

NaomieRN · Jul 13, 2006

It would probably be best to reduce your hours if possible. If you do not have alot of responsibilities, such as kids, husband, I think you might be fine. As long you are determine, you can do it. See if you can cut 6 to 8 hours, so you can have time to study. If you have a lot of vacation days and sick days like myself, you can take a few vacation days here and there so you can study if you are unable to cut your hours. Last semester, I was taking one vacation day or half a day, each time, I had a big exam. It worked for me. Good luck to you, I wish you do well.

Remember, determination is key to success.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2006

Most LPN students who intend on keeping a full-time job while attending school tend to take the part-time LPN program. The full-time LPN program has too many demands and involves rigorous studying in a compressed amount of time.

fresh31 · Jul 14, 2006

I would love to be able to reduce my time at work, but financially, I just don't think I have the option! I don't have kids or a husband, but I do have bills! thanks for the input!

zsuzsi · Jul 15, 2006

I took the part time Lvn program, and worked 35+ hours a week. If there is no way for you to take a part time course, you might wanna try just cutting back on hours for the first month just to see if you can handle it, and then pick up. My school (summit career college) was easy as long as you do all the reading, and if you're a good test taker. It all depends on your level of learning. I'm waiting for my results, so I can't give you advice on the boards yet:rolleyes: Good luck!

lpnQT25 · Jul 15, 2006

I too agree on the working situation... LPN course I am in is very intense and if you have to work, you need to be very disciplined about setting times aside for study! and be firm with yourself.. don't say... oh I can do it another day! cause guess what.... those " another days" creep up on you before you know it! trust me I learned the hard way! You can't cram the night before all the time... cause your truly not learning it! your just memorizing it! Good luck and hope it works for you! :nurse:

fresh31 · Jul 15, 2006

I took the part time Lvn program, and worked 35+ hours a week. If there is no way for you to take a part time course, you might wanna try just cutting back on hours for the first month just to see if you can handle it, and then pick up. My school (summit career college) was easy as long as you do all the reading, and if you're a good test taker. It all depends on your level of learning. I'm waiting for my results, so I can't give you advice on the boards yet:rolleyes: Good luck!

You guys are making me nervous! Let me know how you're boards go!! Good luck!

fresh31 · Jul 15, 2006

I too agree on the working situation... LPN course I am in is very intense and if you have to work, you need to be very disciplined about setting times aside for study! and be firm with yourself.. don't say... oh I can do it another day! cause guess what.... those " another days" creep up on you before you know it! trust me I learned the hard way! You can't cram the night before all the time... cause your truly not learning it! your just memorizing it! Good luck and hope it works for you!

I totally agree, cramming was one of the worst habits I ever had when Iwas in school. You know what, I think i'll take your advice about working one month full-on and see if I can handle the load. If not, HOPEFULLY (fingers crossed) the powers that be at my workplace will understand.

Hoping LVN2BSN · Jul 16, 2006

Fresh,

Maybe if you can get a copy of the curriculum ahead of time, you can find out where your heavy courses are. My program is five terms broken into about 2.5 months each. The first term wasn't that serious, had a few fluff courses, but the last 2 weeks we started Pharm so that's when the S*** hit the fan. Maybe during that time you can comfortably work, and if you're employer will allow time your full time periods. I don't know what you do now, but after being in school about 4 months, I picked up a job at a mental hospital as a mental health worker working per diem PM shifts. Some employers allow nursing students quite a bit of slack in scheduling, and really want to work with you in the hopes that you'll stay when you're licensed I think. I did homework during the shift and several nurses helped out quite a few of us students during their time with us. I hope you find a way to meet your financial and educational needs, good luck!

e.martinez · Jul 22, 2006

Hey guys!
I will be starting the LPN program Sept 2006 at Orlando Tech. I'm a nervous wreck! I will be taking the program full-time (it's a 52-week program) and also working at a clinic (doing administrative work not clinical) also full-time. I was wondering if any of you have any words of wisdom! What can I expect out of the program? How did you survive the boards? What is the starting salary for an LPN newly graduated? I intend on staying in Orlando after I graduate so that I can do the transtion program at Valencia. ALSO, if anyone out there is an ORL TECh alum, if you guys can help me out by letting me know what books I'll need? Again, any soothing advice and sound wisdom will help!

that's exactly how i felt before my lpn calsses started last sept. 2005, i'm not working fulltime but i worked 24 hrs. a week sometimes 30 hrs. then i go to school mon-fri. it's such an intense class since it's only a 1 yr. program, after 6 months i end up working just 12 hrs a week because of heavy schoolworks and clinical at the same time.

next month i'm going to finish lpn program and hopefully pass the NCLEX-PN by oct.

about the salary i heard from the lpn's in our clinical rotation in hospital they started from $22-36 here in NY

goodluck and i know you'll make it just like me, it's hard in the beginning... but once you're clinical rotation started you'll realize it's worth it.

JONlvn-np2b · Jul 27, 2006

dude, i dont know how youll be able to work full-time and go to school full time. i just passed my nclex about 1 month ago and i remember so many students that had full time jobs dropping out. lvn school is really hard... you have to really put a lot of time and effort to it. so i suggest you rethink your priorities