New LPN student needing advice!

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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Hello,

I just began my LPN program this month, I've gone to college for 3 years and that was so easy compared to my first two weeks in nursing school! I've heard that its only going to get worse, we have at least 6 tests a week. My questions are all LPN schools like this and if so how did you get through it. Don't get me wrong I'm studying every night but its just so difficult for me to comprehend all the information that I'm learning in two days. I really want to be a LPN and am going to do this no matter what, but I need help in how to pass my classes.Please help any advice is weclomed. Thank you

Your situation sounds just like mine! I went to LPN school night. 5pm - 10pm Monday - Thursday. We had a test every night for the first 6 weeks. It gradually tapered off, but there were more and more chapters, and longer chapters to read, from multiple books! I thought I was going to fail for sure. I made straight A's for the first quarter....since I wasn't good in high school this sure shocked me to make an "A". Keep your chin up, you'll be fine as long as you study.

So far I'm seeing that there are a lot of tests in PN school but what is the difficulty level on these tests?

Specializes in Orthopedic, Pain Management, Psych, Family.

thank you all, for all of the advise!!! i know it has already helped me to get through the day. today we actually got lectured for 45 minutes on how our class isn't putting all they can into their studying (mainly in nutrition) and that we need to work harder and make the choice of nursing school as our first priority or other things like family.....i don't have any children yet but thats harsh. i don't think teachers should tell parents to make a choice their children or school to come first. my school is suposed to be the hardest and best in the state though....

again thanks for all of the feedback.

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
So far I'm seeing that there are a lot of tests in PN school but what is the difficulty level on these tests?

THe exams are not usually about memorization, they will usually throw you situational questions and all of the choices may be correct, but they want the BEST answer. You will have to memorize lab values, or steps to a procedure, however, what they are asking you to do is to sythesize all of your nursing knowledge. I remember getting a question on an exam about a medication that I had no knowledge of, but the answer that they were really looking for after all of the hoop-ha was that I had to check the ID band on the patient before administering it. Many may be priority questions, such as "What do you do FIRST?".

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
thank you all, for all of the advise!!! i know it has already helped me to get through the day. today we actually got lectured for 45 minutes on how our class isn't putting all they can into their studying (mainly in nutrition) and that we need to work harder and make the choice of nursing school as our first priority or other things like family.....i don't have any children yet but thats harsh. i don't think teachers should tell parents to make a choice their children or school to come first. my school is suposed to be the hardest and best in the state though....

again thanks for all of the feedback.

nursing school, unfortunately, is harsh. they will teach you how to prioritize your life, though. i was fortunate, my job gave me a full time leave with pay to attend lpn school and my son is 19 years old, my husband works in the evening. i had to prioritize chores, interactions with my son and such. not easy, but i made it. you will, too, and like others stated, it does end...

Flash cards worked best for me in studying. I start Term II after Labor Day. We had atleast 2-3 tests a week, usually more. Our finals were completed in 2 days, four each day. What I cannot stress enough is to form study groups soon with your classmates. They are there with you when you are in class, they take the same notes, and sometimes they will pick up what you didn't hear. Buy a digital tape recorder also if you can. These save money on buying tapes all the time. Also, I am working every weekend to not have to work during the week. This helps me to put all my focus on school during the week.

Hang in there and goodluck!

:welcome: to the wonderful world of nursing school ;) . I can totally relate to all you're saying. I graduate from my LPN program in 4 weeks and all I can say is that it's been like nothing I've ever experienced in my life. We started out with a class of about 34...we have 13 graduating. I graduated from college (with honors) and I can tell you I didn't study or put half as much effort into it. It's a commitment and it can be harsh.

I was fortunate to have GREAT instructors and a very supportive husband. Six months into the program my mom passed away and I didn't think I'd be able to get through that let alone LPN school...but I finally see the light.

In the beginning there are the tests and quizzes CONSTANTLY. And in the case of my program they were never ending. My best advice is to prioritize and stay focused as best as possible. There is a light and it's all worth it when it's over. You'll learn things about yourself and you'll find that you have the strength to do things you never thought possible.

I wish you the best and if you have any questions or need any advice, feel free to PM me.

hi! i am in the same boat. i started lpn school in july. i am just finishing up a&p 2, next week is it. i start my first nursing class on sept 5th and i am so scared. i have a 4.0 so far, but i know it is going to get much harder. i do have support and that makes a huge difference. i go to brown mackie in ky and it is very expensive. so far it is wonderful. the teachers are awesome and i feel like i am learning. i know it will be worth it in the end.

regarding the tests everyday, same here. i study alot! i take notes in class, go home read the chapter, then type up all my notes and read them again and again. i also have a study buddy and that helps! if nursing is something that you really want to do, you will get thru it. there is extra help out there as well. i just got the rn nclex flash cards and kaplan book from a teacher. she said that even though it is the rn version, it will help out alot. it will help prepare me for the lpn nclex. i am so excited and feel very fortunate to be a part of something so wonderful. good luck to you! keep your chin up, no worries. find a stress reliever to help you along too! if you ever want to chat or just vent you can feel free to send me a message! take care.

lpn sept 2007 :balloons:

sarah

Pagendiva2000 hit it on the head. I just completed my first semester of LVN school. The first week maybe 2 I was surprised because it didn't affect my life as much as I thought it was going to. The 4th and 5th week was brewakdown period. I was freaking out. we were having 2-3tests per week and still expected to read it ahead. Not only that I have a husband at home 3 boys and a parttime job that I work on fri and sat nights. What was I thinking?

But I hit that 7th-8th week running full speed ahead no time to think about things anymore. Tests were coming if I wanted them to or not and the nice thing is you don't have to memeorize just know your material read read read is all I have to say. Get organized early and stay that way. It makes things alot easier. I am going to start my fall semester on monday and I just picked up my books and I am very nerrvous that was alot of books. We'll see what happens but I am determined to finish we all can.

I also think it is very important to find a stress reliever. I have not found one yet for me but my last few weeks I would treat myself to 2-3 beers if I did well on a test, but with this semester I don't think I will be able to do that I will have to find something else. We tried to do buddy's but it is so hard to study together unless you both have read equally you have to read first so somethings were just easier to do on my own. Good luck Don't stress so soon I think you make it worse.

Specializes in Orthopedic, Pain Management, Psych, Family.

Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement! Its really helped, especially during this past week. I think just getting adjusted to the new and rigerous program came over me like a wave. Your insights and suggestions will definately be put into account. thankyou again.

Lorelei

mystical, I know you can do it. I graduated from LVN school 2 weeks ago and I never thought I'd get there. This past year was the most hellacious and wonderful year of my life and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Sometime soon, you're going to have one of those "lightbulb" moments when something you're studying is going to click. When that happens, you'll know you're doing the right thing. Good luck to you and I promise it will get better.

I just finished LPN school and felt lost for the first two semesters. The thrid semester everything just kinda fell into place. Memorizing keywords helps alot, that is one of the things our instructors taught us. Just took my state boards and passed and its is the little things like keywords that brought me through. Also i had recieved an associates degree in human services and a certificate in substance abuse counseling, which was a breeze. Hang in there it will allfall into place soon!!:nurse:

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