LVN Help Please

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 3, 2013

Ok.....where do I start......I am not sure how to explain this.

I think it is hard to say "What do I need to study?" When the answer is everything....you need to know everything. To try to make a list to "single out" any one important thing is impossible...because it is all important.

YOU have per-requisite courses that will vary from program to program...yes everyone is supposed to know that same thing....but the truth is....some schools teach the minimum while others really give you the tools necessary to do well and supply you with the necessary knowledge to proceed to the next step if that is what you desire.

What do you need to know about being an LPN...well that really does depend on your school of choice. Why won't they release books? Because they change and become outdated and because most schools realize that unguided independent study in nursing does not lead to success. It is kind of like how do I become an artist.....you can't really say first you draw a straight line and then you draw another...then you connect them and abracadabra....you're an artist. It's applied science, applied math, applied theory.

There are some kind of sort of "standard" subjects A&P, pharmacology, calculations, chemistry, nutrition. What to study...well...everything....... to give out actual class theory or "exclusive knowledge" is prohibited by schools and can be considered academic dishonesty and is grounds for expulsion.

There is not any one bone that is more important than the another....well....the brain is pretty important so study that....well...which cranial nerve is the most troublesome...the answer all of them. I think the hardest thing for those new to the profession is the VAST QUANTITIES of information that you will have to absorb AND apply.....correctly....because someones life depends on it.

Which vitals are the most important..well...all of them. To even try to have everyone list what they felt was important is a monumental task because the answer really is ....all of it. Without the guidance of instructors and the ability to immediately apply the learning with the actual action or performing/applying of what you learned is really almost an effort in futility.

Nursing programs are set up an building blocks.....each interdependent on each other to build to the next step. Just like you had to first roll over before you sat up and sit up before you crawled and crawl before you walked...nursing is just like that....without the proper sequence it just won't make sense. Without the combination in the right order the lock just won't open.

What to do now??? If you insist...get an anatomy and physiology book and study it...front to back because that is what you need to know. Get a book on drug calculations/dimensional analysis many find this subject difficult and many program demand 100% because at the bedside there is no room for error.

Putting the cart before the horse will not give you an advantage when you enter your program...you will find yourself further confused and frustrated.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 3, 2013

Wideopenheart: "I think that learning to interact with people in a more patient way will do more for you than anything else you can do to prepare right now....Nurses and students here took time to try to help you, and you didn't seem to be able to see and be grateful for that investment (from others into you)."
Wideopenheart...If I had a toe that was turning purple and came on here and asked, "what could I do about it?", what I am getting from these boards is essentially people telling me about asthma, cancer, hair growth, everything BUT what I am asking. I did not ask in essence "Would it be better to study now or just go to school?", rather I am asking "What can I study now" and everyone's answer is telling me about anything BESIDES what I asked. I had that one chap tell me in anatomy what to study. And I applauded him for that. But everyone else tells me about everything BUT what I am asking. I mean really, after a while it's like "how do I even tell them anymore, they seem to have a mind of their own". As for the nurses taking their time, I am not grateful, because if I were asking what is 1+1 they would be saying the color blue. Something totally irrelevant and so far from what I am asking that it actually amazes me and is quite surprising that actual nurses rather than help me by saying, "study in your free year until your LPN to get a grasp on some of the things how bones are formed, the equation for C to F, that Ml=CC are rather telling me, "Just sit there and waste a year and then go cram everything in one year at school" as though knowing the formula for C to F or what Ibuprofen is is going to be my absolute downfall in my career while taking the LVN course. What hogwash. I am not grateful at all for people trying to tell me to waste my own time.

Actually......if you came asking what to do about your purple toe....we would tell you we are not allowed to give medical advice and no matter how much you wanted information we still could not give it to you....no matter how that upsets or frustrates you.....we still could not do that for you.

The information on these boards is posted for allnurses by all nurses.....what you see here discussed is what is actually being discussed by actual students, nurses, educators and those who are waiting to begin their dream.....this is your biggest clue as to what many find challenging.

"study in your free year until your LPN to get a grasp on some of the things how bones are formed, the equation for C to F, that Ml=CC

We can't give you a formula because there is no ONE formula...I have a famous quote that I love.....

"Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted".......Ralph Waldo Emerson

You said.....

what is 1+1 they would be saying the color blue.

In reality......the truth is that in nursing ....that IS the correct answer.

You have gotten some great suggestions....medical terminology is a big one...dosages and calculations is another...learn you math conversions...get an anatomy and physiology book if you absolutely must...go to you tube and search what you are curious about

I think an area that is difficult is in dealing with people when they are sick and frightened...they are rude, condescending, aggressive and mean no matter how hard you try...I think that is another area new nurses find is how frustrating nursing is and how we have so little support so learnign how to deal with others is a huge deal.. Many students have the book smarts but lack the bedside confidence and "thick skin" that there is where the fail.

We get how anxious you are and how much you want to succeed....we really do because we were once where you are right now....excited, anxious, driven to succeed....we get it....but trust us we are trying to let you know that it really isn't possible nor beneficial to try to jump ahead.

My favorite poem sums this up.....I wish you the best......being a nurse means by Melodie Chenevert

Being A Nurse Means…

You will never be bored.

You will always be frustrated.

You will be surrounded by challenges, So much to do and so little time. You will carry immense responsibility And limited authority.

You will step into people’s lives

And you will make a difference

Some will bless you,

Some will curse you.

You will see people at their worst

And at their best.

You will never cease to be amazed

At people’s capacity for Love, courage, and endurance.

You will experience resounding triumphs And devastating failures.

You will cry a lot,

You will laugh a lot,

You will know what it is to be human,

And to be humane.

IrishErin · Jun 3, 2013

Ok.....where do I start......I am not sure how to explain this.
I think it is hard to say "What do I need to study?" When the answer is everything....you need to know everything. To try to make a list to "single out" any one important thing is impossible...because it is all important.
YOU have per-requisite courses that will vary from program to program...yes everyone is supposed to know that same thing....but the truth is....some schools teach the minimum while others really give you the tools necessary to do well and supply you with the necessary knowledge to proceed to the next step if that is what you desire.
What do you need to know about being an LPN...well that really does depend on your school of choice. Why won't they release books? Because they change and become outdated and because most schools realize that unguided independent study in nursing does not lead to success. It is kind of like how do I become an artist.....you can't really say first you draw a straight line and then you draw another...then you connect them and abracadabra....you're an artist. It's applied science, applied math, applied theory.
There are some kind of sort of "standard" subjects A&P, pharmacology, calculations, chemistry, nutrition. What to study...well...everything....... to give out actual class theory or "exclusive knowledge" is prohibited by schools and can be considered academic dishonesty and is grounds for expulsion.
There is not any one bone that is more important than the another....well....the brain is pretty important so study that....well...which cranial nerve is the most troublesome...the answer all of them. I think the hardest thing for those new to the profession is the VAST QUANTITIES of information that you will have to absorb AND apply.....correctly....because someones life depends on it.
Which vitals are the most important..well...all of them. To even try to have everyone list what they felt was important is a monumental task because the answer really is ....all of it. Without the guidance of instructors and the ability to immediately apply the learning with the actual action or performing/applying of what you learned is really almost an effort in futility.
Nursing programs are set up an building blocks.....each interdependent on each other to build to the next step. Just like you had to first roll over before you sat up and sit up before you crawled and crawl before you walked...nursing is just like that....without the proper sequence it just won't make sense. Without the combination in the right order the lock just won't open.
What to do now??? If you insist...get an anatomy and physiology book and study it...front to back because that is what you need to know. Get a book on drug calculations/dimensional analysis many find this subject difficult and many program demand 100% because at the bedside there is no room for error.
Putting the cart before the horse will not give you an advantage when you enter your program...you will find yourself further confused and frustrated.

This is a great answer! I was going to attempt to write something similar before I read yours.

It would be impossible to narrow down the most important tips to study.. It's all important!

JUSTanLPN · Jun 4, 2013

Medicaljohnny:

It's 7:30 am on Saturday morning, your shift JUST started. You're at work in your local emergency department. All of the sudden a man comes in gasping for air, turning pink with cap refills >5 sec.

Do you:

A) fall back in the fact you studied this exact situation a year ago and can now ace this hands down no prob based off the example given in class?

B) roll with the punches and make informed decisions based on critical thinking learned in your nursing program....

If you think the answer is A, you will kill somebody someday.

My point is that if you can't handle new Information on a daily basis and have a week to grasp it, how can you picture yourself handling a high stress situation where all of your "book knowledge" escapes you and you're left with your ability to adapt?

Sounds like you have a bit of a leaning impairment and I commend you for trying to get a jump on this, however, I think you're doing it for the wrong reasons.

THAT'S why I say if you get hung up on one part of nursing school and that causes you to fail, it's probably for the best.

medicaljohnny · Jun 4, 2013

The amount of ego in this forum is ridiculous. I'm done. All I wanted to know was what to study. Anatomy: Which parts of which bones...nerves? Cells? Nursing...What is a temperature..pulse...respiration. What is the hypothalamus...what is sun-down syndrome... instead I got a band of egotists and bullies telling me I could never do anything on my own; totally forgetting some people HAVE studied on their own, taken the state exam without taking courses, passed, became nurses, and I know many of these people personally and they are fantastic at their jobs. There is no problem knowing that the flu is really the body's defense against bacteria...but you people treat it like a ******* hidden treasure. I'm out of this whole fray. No point in responding to this because I won't read it; you'd only be boosting your own egos which I see you like to do..so good day.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2013

I am sorry that we don't know how to help you....it really is just too much information to give you an outline of what you "need to know". Hopefully once you are in school you will understand this. I will be honest that I am not sure about LPN programs but to be eligible to take NCLEX RN one of the requirements to take the exam and from states to hold licensure is to graduate from an accredited program....

some people HAVE studied on their own, taken the state exam without taking courses, passed, became nurses

so I do not think that you can do independent study and pass the NCLEX....if they did and they are LPN's it was a long time ago for there are clinical hours required that are required to be concurrent to your theory to be eligible to sit for licensure.

Good Luck on your journey.