Who just started LPN school ?

[Butterflybee]

I just started this week. Before things become too intense, I wanted to check in and see how things were going with those of us that just started LPN school.

My instructors are attempting to create a relaxed and open atmosphere. They have let us know that this is no walk in the park and that we need to study hard but we can do it. The instructors are very supportive and available.

We need to learn several things on our own. The lectures are interesting and our class is very crowded. We are getting tested each week and are responsible for a grade of 75 with only 10 questions :uhoh21: . That will be interesting.

I like it alot and look forward to learning.

[eldragon]

my lpn program is from the pits of hell. I will make it b/c I am determined. but it seem like everything is against us. Im not gonna go into detail. I am an emt and I dont see how someone can just walk into this program and do any good. I started in Jan. '06 and will be done the beginning of November. I have learned alot my biggest downfall I believe is meds. I have trouble remembering what they are all for. But good luck and hope your program is actually designed to work.

Ha! This post reminds me of how I feel about my LPN program right now. I am finishing the third block this week.

The first two blocks were gloriously fun, lots of studying but two tests a week - no big deal. We lost a few students those blocks, but I held an A average - piece of cake.

The third block rolled around and everything changed. One of our teachers is horrible - obviously has mental issues and makes our lives miserable. Her tests are completely insane and unpredictable. We have daily unit exams on up to 10 chapters at a time. This month we have had NO days without unit exams.

We are going through Pharmacology in 2.5 weeks. That includes all meds - which we have to know by generic and brand names - their classifications - uses - drug interactions - expected side effects and ones to report. All calculations - from IV drip rates to injections to NG tube to pills.

We have check-offs on injections and are never shown how to do this - we have to memorize the book instructions and then demonstrate in front of an instructor - pass or fail. (That actually goes for 16 ways to administer meds...)

We have unit tests everyday - and have to pass with 80% or better. The tests are from 60-80 questions and have roughly 25 "choose all that apply questions" with 5 answers each.

No lectures. We leave class at night about 9:30 PM with instructions for the next days test - and come in at 1:00 pm the next day and test on it. That means studying until you fall asleep and getting up at the crack of dawn and studying until school.

No time for anything at home. My kids don't know me anymore. A small thing like running out of milk is a major disaster I can't deal with.

We've lost 60% of our nursing class - many of whom were 4.0 students in the first block.

One student had a baby one day and went back to class the next day - because we can only miss 2 days or we're out. (Her baby was 2.5 months early - he stays in a neonatal unit 50 miles from where we go to school...........how or why she does it is beyond me.)

So, my nursing class is like a bootcamp from hell - or a cencentration camp. Everyday someone is crying. We all have GI problems from the stress.

To say we loathe the one teacher is an understatement. She makes our lives a living hell.

So that's how I feel about nursing school now.

[mgalloLPN]

Well, I plan to start LPN school in January. It is a 52 week program. I am terrified. I have to go to class from 8 am to 2:30 pm and then I have to work at least 20 hours a week so my husband and I can pay our bills. I will be working Monday thru Friday from about 4 to 9 pm and I don't know what I am going to do. I am starting to think I can't do both but I don't have a choice. My husband doesn't know how to cook or anything like that. I am afraid to let him go get groceries because I am scared that he won't get the right stuff. I know this is stupid. He said that he will help with whatever he can except for laundry. Does anyone else have to go to school and work too? How do you do it? When do you study and how do you make it work? I am up for any advice.

[eldragon]

Mindy, do you have children?

Your husband will have to learn how to feed himself, whether he cooks the food or not. Laundry can perhaps wait until the weekends, but sorry - he is an adult and is responsible for household chores also.

It's about survival that everybody pitch in and do their part.

Even in my case, my kids are 10 and 18, they all have to understand that while sometimes I might be here at home physically, I'm not really here.

I'm studying or sleeping, but I'm not here. I can't do much else during the week except study and go to school. On the weekends, I take one day off to regroup and spend time w/my kids - but during the week - they are on their own.

[mgalloLPN]

Nope, no children yet. I am waiting until I am out of school for that. I know that he will help out when I am in school, he has said that many of times. I just KNOW that I am going to worry about him all the time because of what he eats. I am worried that he will eat hotdogs for an entire year! I wish I didn't worry so much but I do. I am a big time worrier. I worry about everything. Also, I think I am going to end up working on the weekends too. The school that I am going to said that the entire thing is from 8-2:30 and that clinicals are included during that time. Is this possible? I will find out more when I go to orientation in September.

[eldragon]

If that's what your school says, it may be true.

My LPN classes are from 1 PM to 8:30 PM - Monday-Thursday up until the last block, then it's five days a week. But our clinicals are 12 hours long - and the hours are from 6 AM - 6 PM or even 6 am to 8 pm (for maternal child - it increases the likelihood of witnessing childbirth.)

You do what you have to do make it through school, or you don't make it through school.

A jealous husband - an insecure boyfriend - those things bring you down and make it impossible to accomplish your goal - at least in my class.

You have to prioritize.

[mgalloLPN]

I know things will be fine. It's just convincing myself that I can do it all. My husband is very supportive of me going to school and he can't wait to see me as a nurse because he knows that's what I want more than anything in life right now. I guess I am being normal worrying about starting school because I haven't been in school since high school and I graduated in 2003. I wasn't the best student in high school until my senior year and then I started doing really well. I am not sure why though, I guess just because I knew it was my senior year and if I failed anything I wouldn't graduate. So I think the same will happen with LPN school. I know that I will have to work my tail off but I can do it. I also know a good bit of medical stuff since I have worked on doctor's offices and hospitals since I graduated. So far, I have worked in an OBGYN office (loved it), a hospital in the X-Ray dept, and now a dermatology office. I have also done medical billing so I kinda know a good bit. It's funny because when my husband and I are watching House on fox, he will ask me what's wrong with the patient and I end up telling him before they say it. He laughs and thinks it's crazy that I know most of the stuff and I am not even in school yet.