what did LPN school teach me? not much im afraid... will RN school help me?!

deboraclark82 · Jul 10, 2011

I just finished school for my RMA. I had no trouble in school, it was a breeze for me. I have previous nursing experience though. I did not get a good education at the school, as many others have complained about. THe school is extreamly expensive and they don't really give that great of an education. We never learned IV's or caths when we were supposed to and in one mod (6 weeks each 8 mods total) I was only there for 60% of it, I missed almost 3 weeks of classes and I finished the mod with a 92% if that tells you anything about the quality of education. I never read one thing or studied one thing on the nervous or respiratory systems that they studied of those 3 weeks and was able to ace the final. The reason that I learned anything is because I am self motivated to learn. THe books were several years out of date and some of the teachers weren't even MA's and some of them never went to school to be a MA, they got grandfathered in before you had to had formal education to get the RMA. I read the whole books covers to covers, researched things online and educated myself. When I did my 2 month internship (clinicals) I went 40 hours a week instead of 20 and worked closely with the doctor to learn everything I could possibly learn. I had a great doctor that I was interning for and I asked a lot of questions and really soaked up as much knowledge as possible. I still to this day ask tons of questions to doctors and nurses, I really try and educate myself as much as possible. I knew before I went thought RMA school that I wanted to continue on and get my BSN. I only got my RN so I could get a job while I went to college. Businesses around here don't like the college I went to, students can't pass their RMA exam (which is odd b/c with out any studding I went and took it 4 months after I finished my last class and I got an 87%) but the school is known for putting out shotty students and giving a really bad education. Enrollment was way way down by the time I graudated, the school has sealed their own fait and I doubt they'll be around here for much longer. But LPN, CNA, CMA and RMA schools are so popular now a days, they charge out ragous amounts of money for degrees that are not in demand and dont' give good educations. Its just the latest crave. It will pass. I remember a few years ago Avation was all the rage and there were tons of schools popping up all over that said the field was growing and theres good money in it and they over charged people for a **** pore education but eventually the craze curns out, the school get the reputations they make and everything dies down. I'd suggest not going to a tech school unless you want to working in ac/head/refrigeration repair or plumping or computer tech fields. Tech schools are not designed for the medical field and wont provide a good education. Local community colleges and state universities will over CNA-MSN degree programs. People would be better off going through them because they may have to go to school for a little bit longer but they will get a better education and better job potentials and over all everything is better. But hang in there, just becuase you didn't get a great education with your entry level nursing doesn't mean you will always be in in that position. Go to school if that is what you wish to do, study study study and ask questions, hang out with other nurses and premed students and remember that you are in the early phases of your life long career. Theres no need to rush to know eveyrthing (which in medicine no one will ever know everything because its always changing) but relaxe and enjoy your career.

glutton4punishment · Jul 10, 2011

My LVN was way harder than my RN......for many reasons. Went to school 5 days a week, clinicals were 1 day a week for 12 hours. Best thing I ever did. Got out knowing how to do the small things that are now so annoyingly time consuming, yet so very important.

Good luckaroo!

lorenwithano · Jul 10, 2011

My LVN was way harder than my RN......for many reasons. Went to school 5 days a week, clinicals were 1 day a week for 12 hours. Best thing I ever did. Got out knowing how to do the small things that are now so annoyingly time consuming, yet so very important.
Good luckaroo!

that is so true... i do think of that as a positive, at least i did the LPN program and warmed myself up to the field. plus, now i will understand certain tasks vs. someone who went right into an RN program with NO experience (not that there is anything wrong with that! some people jump right in and are great at it!).

nursing is just a very stressful career and the path to get there is even more stressful!

demylenated, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2011

I'm sorry you feel cheated w/ your LPN education. Like the others have said, learning doesn't stop when you pass your boards....it continues for a lifetime. I feel my LPN education was excellent. It was a 3 year program @ a CC w/ the first 2 semesters being general ed and the last 4 semesters nursing classes and clinicals. It was actually designed to be the first 1/2 of a BSN program, but after working as an LPN over the summer, I got used to the paychecks and didn't want to be a poor student anymore. Finally, I'm in an LPN/BSN bridge program. Good luck to you in your career.

WOW!!! With all that why in the WORLD didn't they give you an ADN?? Mine was a 1 year (11.5 months actually - it was a private vocational school)) program with everything in the school. Now, non of my credits transferred (so going LPN to RN I had to do ALLLLL my pre-reqs). But, 3 years!! And BSN is only 4 years!!! That is weird. One nurse I just trained to take over my position when I returned to school said she attained her associate degree but was "only" an LPN. I guess they are changing a lot of things, which is a VERY GOOD THING... Although, I felt quite ready and comfortable to be on the floor when I graduated (but our classes were M-F 8 am to 5 pm! for 11.5 months straight - I know the CC I go to now is 4 days a week, out by noon except clinical days, and out for the summer).

Good luck with your LPN to BSN! Are you doing it online through ISU? I was going to do that, started my pre-reqs... but I wanted to get my RN so I had it in case I had to stop for some reason. I plan on going to our Universities RN to BSN program which is 3 semesters and all online!

demylenated, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2011

Our LPN program is the first year of RN school at the CC I attend. So actually LPN school and my working experience makes RN school alot easier, and vice versa RN school helps me to perform better at work.
I think the issue is more with you than the school or level of education. It will take time for you to develop your skills and confidence whether you are a LPN or RN.

They just instituted this at our CC. I am the last transition class before the new criteria take place. It starts this upcoming semester. I think that is a fantastic idea, that way if you stay in this school and/or return for your RN, you have definitely finished the WHOLE program.

That is the one thing I am worried about. Where they start with level 3 and 4 nursing, what if there is something "they" teach that my school didn't, and I just lost out...

For instance, the only thing I can complain about with my LPN education is Maternal/Child. I *LITERALLY* did NOT open my book that semester. She would come in and teach the test... literally... I didn't mind at the time because I was going through infertility treatments, so it was a difficult time for me to learn it. ANYHOW... we had ONE DAY in the transition program dedicated to maternal child... ONE DAY we covered 20 chapters... it was all the abnormalities... I feel like I know nothing. I was told we get no maternal/child in level 3/4 because it was all covered in levels 1/2. So, I got a book and will be reading the entire thing on my own; it will be just my luck my NCLEX is nothing but maternal child!

ShannonRN2010, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2011

My LPN education was amazing! It was hard and it challenged me. I was more than prepared for the workforce and eventually RN school. In fact, if it hadn't have been for the level of education that I got from my LPN school, I would have been lost in RN school.

The school I went to is known in this area as the best LPN school around and that they produce high quality nurses...which is why I went there.

Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2011

WOW!!! With all that why in the WORLD didn't they give you an ADN?? Mine was a 1 year (11.5 months actually - it was a private vocational school)) program with everything in the school. Now, non of my credits transferred (so going LPN to RN I had to do ALLLLL my pre-reqs). But, 3 years!! And BSN is only 4 years!!! That is weird. One nurse I just trained to take over my position when I returned to school said she attained her associate degree but was "only" an LPN. I guess they are changing a lot of things, which is a VERY GOOD THING... Although, I felt quite ready and comfortable to be on the floor when I graduated (but our classes were M-F 8 am to 5 pm! for 11.5 months straight - I know the CC I go to now is 4 days a week, out by noon except clinical days, and out for the summer).
Good luck with your LPN to BSN! Are you doing it online through ISU? I was going to do that, started my pre-reqs... but I wanted to get my RN so I had it in case I had to stop for some reason. I plan on going to our Universities RN to BSN program which is 3 semesters and all online!

LOL! My advisor told me I'd actually completed an ADN program. I went to nursing school in North Dakota in the 90's and the entry level for an RN was BSN. All LPN's were required to have an least ADN. My diploma actually states: ADN-PN". I'm attending a brick and mortar campus as my BON doesn't recognize a degreee from ISU. Good luck to you, as well.

demylenated, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2011

LOL! My advisor told me I'd actually completed an ADN program. I went to nursing school in North Dakota in the 90's and the entry level for an RN was BSN. All LPN's were required to have an least ADN. My diploma actually states: ADN-PN". I'm attending a brick and mortar campus as my BON doesn't recognize a degreee from ISU. Good luck to you, as well.

Wow... I have never heard of an ADN-PN (are they common and I just live under a rock? or did it happen to be a fluke that you ended up with and ADN because of semester hours? or is there a program that is AND-PN?). What is the difference?

What state are you in. When I looked into ISU, because it was a bonifide university and you had to do (local) clinicals, it (at the time I looked into it) was accepted in every state - EVEN CA (now, that is saying something, LOL).

I am VERY perplexed with the whole ADN-PN thing. I think I'd be a tad upset and feel robbed somehow.

Anyhow, best of luck to you!! I am getting my RN (graduate in May) then going for the BSN. Then I am unsure if I wanna go directly to Doctorate, or do Masters....

And actually, I just spoke to my Vet the other day. I was contemplating, after getting my RN, finishing up with Vet school. In this litigious society... it just scares me - it is getting out of hand... PLUS with all the new healthcare laws, I am wondering if healthcare is going to start being fed employees, then get a base pay (which will suck for sure). Not to mention, I have 5 cats, 5 dogs, a snake, and a bird so becomming a veternarian will surely save me money. :lol2:

Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2011

Wow... I have never heard of an ADN-PN (are they common and I just live under a rock? or did it happen to be a fluke that you ended up with and ADN because of semester hours? or is there a program that is AND-PN?). What is the difference?

I was living in North Dakota when I went to LPN school in the 90's. At that time, BSN was the entry level for RN's and LPN were required to have AD. It is no longer this way, but had I known that I would be moving just after I took boards, I would have gone to school in a different state. Imagine my shock (and disappointment) when I got my first job and realized I had the same amount of education as the RN's I worked with. All water under the bridge now. Good luck to you, also.

salzburg · Jul 12, 2011

Hi Everybody,

can somebody to help me?

Because of my family situation I would need to know how many

1. theoretical hours

2. practical hours

3. individual preparationhours the following educational programs consist: BSc. nursing, Associate degree in Nursing and hospital nursing diplom. It's no important whitch educational program is it, only the USA, and the exact hours. Unfortunatelly the home pages of the programs give information only about the credits, but i need the hours.

thank you for your help in advance!!!

Have a nice day :

salzburg

yccuj · Sep 21, 2011

hey everyone!
i am writing to see what some of you think regarding LPN schools and the level/quality of education?... and... if it gets better?!
I have been an LPN for two and 1/2 years.... and i still feel very confused at times! i really struggled through LPN school. I so badly wanted to be a nurse, but a combination of lack of self confidence and zero medical experience I really passed by the skin of my teeth. I often feel like these vocational schools are out to make money and will put out as many LPNs as possible, regardless of if they understand a concept, and regardless of the lack of jobs out there for them.
I work in a pediatric office and love it! I am lucky to work with a doctor who educates me... but its still really discouraging how much I DONT know at this stage of the game vs. how much I SHOULD know.
I am in school right now working on a final few pre-requisites for an RN program and I am doing better than ever in college. I am hoping that going into an RN program will help me better understand concepts and feel more confident.
I guess my other question is for an of you LPN to RN students, or current RNs (who were once LPNs)... does going to RN school help you understand?!
Thank you!

Hello!!

I feel just like you.. the college that I went to did not teach much either..they're such money makers...I got my degree in LPN in Vancouver BC Canada and I wonder if they care about their students at least once..I truly understand you..

Cheers!!