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Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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Hello All!!

I'm pretty new to this forum and have noticed that not very many people post their first day/wks/mths in NS experiences on here, even though there are alot of people who are days away or days into their programs. Even though I haven't started school yet (aug. 18th/orientation july 21st), from reading most of these threads I KNOW school is extremely demanding and time consuming but please to anyone out their who has an extra moment of time to share, there are ALOT of us on here who would be VEERRYY interested in knowing how your day or week has gone!

Now that the day is getting closer I find myself wondering..." What do they DO in class all day??" and I even wonder about what happens during orientation (I know..No life!)! So PLEASE to ANYONE who has ANYTHING to share even if its just to vent.... I, and countless others, are all ears (well, I guess technically it would be eyes!)! I promise that when I start I will do the same and maybe we might even get our very own sticky!

Thanks to all that reply (if any!) :stdnrsrck:

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Hi there..its funny you posted this today because this is by far my most demanding week of school..I am in LVN school and am a little over a month away from graduating (aug.8) Tomorrow I start my preceptorship in the ER..you will probably do this your last semester in school after you have had clinicals with your instructors the first couple of semesters..I am working the night shift 7p-7a. Then I have a lecture on monday for 4 hours, a review class for the HESI exam that I take for the first time thursday..then I work again on friday night and saturday night..nursing school is demanding, whoever told you that was right on the money..my boyfriend is a firefighter so the time he is off I am usually at school or working clinicals and its been hard..but he is a great support system for me..you'll need one too!! Times get really tough towards the ends of the semesters but as long as your working your butt off..you'll do great..I dont know the reputation of the school your attending but honestly, everybody told me it was going to be horrific and so hard I would barely be hanging on but it hasn't been that bad..if you study your stuff and DON'T PROCRASTINATE you'll be awesome..buy lots of highlighters!! I tend to go through one per class period..especially in med-surg! I hope you have a great experience in nursing school..I have made the most amazing friends and I'll be sad to graduate..but happy to move on and get a big girl job..good luck in the future!!

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Hi there..its funny you posted this today because this is by far my most demanding week of school..I am in LVN school and am a little over a month away from graduating (aug.8) Tomorrow I start my preceptorship in the ER..you will probably do this your last semester in school after you have had clinicals with your instructors the first couple of semesters..I am working the night shift 7p-7a. Then I have a lecture on monday for 4 hours, a review class for the HESI exam that I take for the first time thursday..then I work again on friday night and saturday night..nursing school is demanding, whoever told you that was right on the money..my boyfriend is a firefighter so the time he is off I am usually at school or working clinicals and its been hard..but he is a great support system for me..you'll need one too!! Times get really tough towards the ends of the semesters but as long as your working your butt off..you'll do great..I dont know the reputation of the school your attending but honestly, everybody told me it was going to be horrific and so hard I would barely be hanging on but it hasn't been that bad..if you study your stuff and DON'T PROCRASTINATE you'll be awesome..buy lots of highlighters!! I tend to go through one per class period..especially in med-surg! I hope you have a great experience in nursing school..I have made the most amazing friends and I'll be sad to graduate..but happy to move on and get a big girl job..good luck in the future!!

Hey, thanks soo much for sharing that! but...7pm to 7am!! How do you do it? :eek: When do you sleep? LOL!!! What exactly is the Hesi? And one highlighter per period!! THATS OUTRAGEOUS! What is the one thing that you wish someone could have told you before you started the program? What are your best study tips? (last question) Have you noticed a pattern among the people that fail out of the program as opposed to those that succeed? i.e: The younger students, chitchatters, etc... Thanks again for sharing. It does sound tough but I know it will all be worth it in the end.

Congratulations on your success and I am so glad that you will soon see the day where you can look back on nursing school with fond memories while looking towards your better future. :yeah:

Good Luck!

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

here you go:

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I have my first day (orientation) on Tuesday and I am soooo excited. And nervous! I have moments where I feel like a million bucks and I can do anything, take any test, pass any course lol but there are also moments where I think "what if I fail? They are going to make me look like an idiot!" HAHA So I guess I'm nervous and excited. I will post about my experience and I can't wait to hear about everyone else's!

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i have my first day (orientation) on tuesday and i am soooo excited. and nervous! i have moments where i feel like a million bucks and i can do anything, take any test, pass any course lol but there are also moments where i think "what if i fail? they are going to make me look like an idiot!" haha so i guess i'm nervous and excited. i will post about my experience and i can't wait to hear about everyone else's!

i know exactly what you mean!!

my orientation is not until july 21st and some days i feel like it will never come! starting,learning and graduating is all i think about, and other days i feel like the time is flying and i silently try to buy more time because i get worried that maybe time is speeding toward my imminent failure!! (im so melodramatic!). don't worry though because as long as you truly want this, you will succeed.

i can't wait to hear how your orientation goes!

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Hey, thanks soo much for sharing that! but...7pm to 7am!! How do you do it? :eek: When do you sleep? LOL!!! What exactly is the Hesi? And one highlighter per period!! THATS OUTRAGEOUS! What is the one thing that you wish someone could have told you before you started the program? What are your best study tips? (last question) Have you noticed a pattern among the people that fail out of the program as opposed to those that succeed? i.e: The younger students, chitchatters, etc... Thanks again for sharing. It does sound tough but I know it will all be worth it in the end.

Congratulations on your success and I am so glad that you will soon see the day where you can look back on nursing school with fond memories while looking towards your better future. :yeah:

Good Luck!

The HESI is an exit test that my school requires to graduate..I know not every school does it but mine does and I'm sort of freaking out about it! haha..The class that was before us made a video to us giving us tips and stuff and they made it sound waaay worse than it actually is..I wish they had been more truthful..Yes, it is rough, and it takes alot of time, but its not impossible..as long as you put the work in..you reap the rewards..The hardest thing for me was being so young..I'm only 21 so while all my friends are out at their big colleges partying and having a great time..I'm basically starting my future..There's no cushion there to screw up..Just study lots and don't be afraid to make mistakes..thats what you're there for! When you get out of school (as soon I will be) you can't make mistakes anymore..so DO IT NOW! haha..I tried to sleep most of the day today since I go into work tonight..but we'll see..its my first day in the ER so I'm extremely nervous!...OH! and my best study tips..I started out making note cards and that lasted for about one day..DON'T waste your time doing that..I actually highlight in my book and then go back at the end of the unit and type up an outline..I start with a headline like the cardiovascular system..then branch off from there..labs, diagnostic tests, the major diseases then branch off from there also..like the signs and symptoms and the treatments of each disease as well as the pathophysiology..then you have all the information you need in one dense area..that really helped me tremendously!! GOOD LUCK IN SCHOOL!! Take every note you can and try to learn as much as possible, ask lots of questions..and participate in as much patient care as you can when you get into clinicals..(the instructors like that! hehe):yeah:

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Specializes in Dialysis.

the girls we lost just didn't study enough. or they thought that the study guide was the only material they were responsible for. in NS, you are responsible for all material. that means reading the text. making notes. rereading the text. doing the workbook. there is a LOT of reading, and I feel like I am successful because I read and read and read and review everything. it is vital to study in NS! this is not high school, nor is this good ole college days. This is adult education for your future.

also, try to stay out of the cliques, the politics, and the drama. focus on yourself, and your work.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC/Geriatric.

We had a student sylabus for each course. Each "learning activity" was numbered and our course schedule would tell us which class and learning activity we would be doing that day. Each learning activity had pre-reading to do out of texts mostly, but sometimes websites, handouts etc.

Since we are all adults, the pre-reading is something we SHOULD do to prepare for the class, but not "required". Does that make sense? I did 95% of the pre-reading and am glad I did sinse the material that was then presented in class was familiar and I left class having a good understanding of it, as opposed to just having heard terms for the first time.

A lot of students in my class admitted to not doing their pre-reading at all. They just winged it during class. Everyone in my class passed (some by the VERY SLIMMEST of margins). But I finished with a 94% overall average, well above those students who didn't do any pre-reading. Anyways, to make a long story short---DO ANY PRE-READING ASSIGNED!!

Also, start assignments right away. If you're given one that isn't due for another 6 weeks, do a bit a week, DON'T leave it all for the last week.

Do test questions at the end of assigned text book chapters. I found this EXTREMELY helpful before tests as a study tool. Also, plug in the CD ROM that comes with your text books and see if they have additional test questions.

If you have to do group assignments, and can pick your own groups, do your best to get with those who seem as diligent as you are. I had a TERRIBLE group for my first group assignment and it was a STRUGGLE to get people to do their part.

Use all of your assigned lab time to practise skills. We would often have a 3.5 hour block in the lab. The instructors would demo the skill, then circulate as we would practise in pairs. Most students would practise for about an hour and then leave. The lab would be empty by the time the actual class time was over.

Good luck with your course!! I've had a great time in mine! :)

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thanks ogopogo!!!

that was soo helpful! those are some really good points you made; especially since i have been known to be the type to leave an assignment for the last minute! i hope i have as great a course as you did. unfortunately though i have heard more horror stories than good ones!! wish me luck!

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the girls we lost just didn't study enough. or they thought that the study guide was the only material they were responsible for. in NS, you are responsible for all material. that means reading the text. making notes. rereading the text. doing the workbook. there is a LOT of reading, and I feel like I am successful because I read and read and read and review everything. it is vital to study in NS! this is not high school, nor is this good ole college days. This is adult education for your future.

also, try to stay out of the cliques, the politics, and the drama. focus on yourself, and your work.

You're right, your text books will become your best friend. If you don't like to read, then force yourself into the habbit before school starts (like i had to do). Read all required material before lecture, and study, study, study your butt off for the 1st test because this sets the tone for entire semester, its hard to play catch-up especially if you need an 80avg like i do for a C. Many people have a study schedule but because i dont work i just study until im done, sometimes all day and so far it works- I also graduate in about a month and have never failed a test so far. Just prioritize, & prepare yourself to live and breath nursing (or so my teacher says).

Also good to see other young future nurses, i started NS when i was 20 also and im the youngest in my class, many of the older students comment that they wish they would have started earlier, so stick with it...

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Well our first day was today, and it was more like an orientation, it lasted about 7 hrs. We went in, signed a LOT of paperwork, received books, about 8 large Books, plus some dictionaries, smaller books and our modules etc., The advisors went over the program with us, and rules. The way that they have the program is very confusing, but it will come in time.We sat in for a mandatory meeting, mostly talking about student conduct, clocking in/out etc. All in all it was a really productive day, I'm glad that I don't have to wait to start! We did not get any "lab supplies" today, for some reason I was hoping to get a stethoscope......LOL so now the work begins.......

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