Terrified to go back to school?

[starfishlpn]

I have been out of school for two years next month and was thrilled to learn that I was accepted into a bridge program starting in January. Because I have worked in environments that did not require the full range of the skills I learned in school and having clinicals in school that didn't always give the opportunity to test out all of these skills. I am scared that I will get to school or clinicals and be asked to do something that an LPN should be able to do and just draw a blank and not have any idea how to do it. I think I put in like one catheter, never suctioned anyone, and did a few dressing changes but I always had the instructor there standing over my shoulder being supportive and giving me feed back. I think I am okay with the overall book knowledge, but what is a good way to review the appropiate way of doing such clinical skills? Any good books out their you know of? Any advice would be greatly appreciated?

[Streamline2010]

I would hazard a guess that the RN program will have to (briefly) re-teach whatever applicable skills you need for the RN program, simply to tell students from diverse educational backgrounds how the RN school wants it done. I could be wrong, but I think that is what will happen: They don't know exactly what each one of you knows, so they will revisit it so that you know the "right" way. That is a CYA issue for the RN school, I speculate.

[starfishlpn]

Thanks, glad I finally got a response. I did really well in my LPN program and have learned alot since then, but I have never felt smarter than I did when I was finishing school. I was afraid that I would be expected to be as well studied as the day I graduates as the majority of the class just finished their first year, LPN level classes and are continuing on for their RN (It's and one plus one type of program). There are only a few of us joining LPNs.

[epnurse0796]

Just remember you will not be alone and they want you to succeed!!

You will do fine and you could always go speak to someone in your local ER, the director, about "shadowing" someone for a shift for a brief refresher!

[RobinlynaRN]

Hi Starfish,

I had been out of school for over 20 years when I bridged in. There was no way that my skills were up to date and no way that I could make up for anything that I might have lacked. I am proud to say that I graduate this weekend with a fine group of nursing students and was among the best in the class of almost 80. I spent time in the skills lab refreshing my memory about things and took things on an as needed basis. Remember that they are teaching you basic nursing skills in the first portion of the program most of which you learned in LPN school. When you bridge in, you will be mainly learning about the things that are more complex and building on previously learned items that they will re-cap for you. You can do this, enjoy the year, it goes very quickly!! Can't believe that after 25 years of nursing I can proudly say that I am ALMOST and RN...LOL!! Now on to that Nurse Practitioner degree!!!