Advice for all the new LPN students out there

Published

Specializes in Pediatrics.

Just thought I'd impart some world-weary advice from a "senior" LPN student to all you fresh-faced students getting your acceptance letters in the mail right now.

Lemme guess? You're gonna work during LPN school despite the warnings because you've always been a smartypants who picks things up quickly as doesn't have to study much in order to pass tests.

Rule number 1 of nursing school: You are not as smart as you think you are.

It's not about brains or mental acuity, kids. The amount of new information being thrown at you is astronomical. Oh, so you've taken college courses and breezed through them? Don't let the vocational school title allow you to think the LPN curriculum is lacking in complexity; not only is the curriculum difficult, but the pace at which you must learn it can't compare to anything you've experienced before. There is no such thing as cramming for a test the night before -- these are not word association multiple-choice tests. Until the know the horror of select-alls and NCLEX-format questions, you haven't experienced true fear.

Chances are, people have been repeating these things over and over, and you're smiling and nodding along. Inwardly, you're chuckling, because these people don't understand. You'll work hard, but you're still gonna celebrate your birthday week, plan to take a vacation during the school year, and spend plenty of time with your friends. Sure, regular people might have problems doing all this, but you're smart. You're determined. You're special. Well, that leads me to...

Rule number 2 of nursing school: You are not a special snowflake.

You are not too good, too smart or too busy to put your nose to the grindstone for a full year. Kiss the days of being able to cram goodbye. You need sleep. You need sanity. You need a couple hours of study EVERY NIGHT. And most of all, you need to embrace your schooling as the most important thing in your life. This is a unique and special opportunity for you to learn to care for someone at their most vulnerable. Your mastery of skills, your critical thinking, your observation and the quality of your education will someday be the difference between life and death for another human being. Understand it, value it, cherish it, and most of all, respect the process.

Once you start school (and then clinicals), you will most likely encounter instructors with methods you find unfavorable, classmates that are annoying, and nurses in the field who really, reeeeaaaally don't want to help you, except when it is to say something you perceive as rude. You will start to understand why people repeated the mantra "Nurses eat their young" and your emotions will be a merry-go-round of dread, frustration and stress.

Rule number 3 of nursing school: Grow some skin.

These are life lessons you will come to appreciate and treasure. You must be responsible for your own education and not expect to be spoon-fed answers. Tests and quizzes aren't designed for you to get 100%; they are designed for you to fight tooth and nail for an 85%. Know that the response to criticism should be "thank you" instead of "what a jerk." Mistakes happen, and in this field, they kill people, so don't hold out any hopes for being treated with kid gloves. Have classmates that you can't stand? Learn to live with them and co-exist, because you'll be a better person, a better nurse, and a better co-worker in the end.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree with some things that you have said. Except for a few. I work 25 hours a week and several of my classmates work full time! It's possible you just have to be determined. I also have a 4 year old. I also know some students who "just get" things and can pass a test by just reading over lecture notes. Everyone isn't a like in how they handle things. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for sharing your experiences, and for your advice. I know that this will be the most challenging things I have ever done.

After reading this I am thankful in a way that I am an older student. Some of life's lessons that I have already had to learn, I feel will help me throughout this journey.

I am now, better able to accept constructive criticism with the knowledge that it is to "tweak" my performance and not just to make me feel bad, or just give up. Something I could not say many years ago....

I say: If you want this bad enough, you CAN do it. Study hard, work hard, and remember what your goals are!

Good luck in your own Journeys.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

First I would like to wish everyone entering nursing school the best!!! I will be entering LPN school in August and have been working since September last year full time and trying to decide when to when to stop before school start to get the rest I need to study, and perform my best in nursing school. I was in school before, but had to withdraw to my son's health in which has gotten better. To make a long story short thank you all for your comments and tips I have been out of nursing school for two years now and rather scared, but very excited because I love it and enjoy working in the ER now so I know I can't wait to finish and return to work and school to further my education and open my on practice up one day!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

the most important thing nursing school SHOULD do is weed out those who should NOT be nurses. unfortunately, my school is a for-profit and is not doing this!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow that's pretty intense. And I graduate in 6 weeks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I say: If you want this bad enough, you CAN do it. Study hard, work hard, and remember what your goals are!

You are right! If you have the mind set for it, if you have good time management its not going to be the end of the world...Just seriously take time everyday to work on the weaknesses, read, record your lectures, re write/re type, make flash cards do what ever you have to...I do a combo study routine, I go through & retype the main objectives then I go through and record my own lecture so I can listen to it when everyone in class is being loud and annoying...and what I can't quite master I use for flash cards. I put my best into everything I do, and because of that I believe that it has helped me remember these things months later when most have forgotten. Just believe in yourself, because that's who is having to do this, no one can do it for you right. SO treat yourself well. Sleep when you can, and spend time with your friends/family when you can. I work ahead so I can do this, and btw if you don't do that then you will become a bitter person and everyone will get tired of it :) Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in hospital, LTC.

Congrats to All of the new students , I am on my way out (4 months left) , my advice would be to stay under the radar, and out of the drama!! Take in all the opportunities that come your way. your class is your new family & make life long friends!!

I can't wait to finish out my program & start my life!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I worked a full time job (52 hours a week) while going to LPN school....& I made it through fine. But thank God for working for a small office business. I did homework and assignments while at work. Moved my PC and printer and library in there too. I know not everyone is fortunate enough to have an understanding boss like in my case...but it's not impossible. :)

OP's advice is very sound...esp. #3. I saw ppl breakdown & leave the program in the first couple of weeks because they were too sensitive.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree! I am currently in the LPN program and had to retake a class due to working ft (16 hr wkend shifts) and a boss that was less than flexible with my work schedule. That combines with my poor time management skills and I recieved a 76% rather than the needed 78% to pass. I was very bummed, but I have since switched jobs and am really motivated to get through this program along with future nursing programs! The job I have now is REALLY flexible and I have basically the whole time I'm at work two 12 hr shifts to study. I am feel super confident but not over confident lol...Goodluck to everyone!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi, I'm about to start my LVN program tomorrow. I'm all jitters because I don't have a job while I'm in school. Doing this on loans. I'm very nervous. I don't know whether I can do this and I'm on this forum because I have no one else to talk to about this nursing career track. And where in the world is the "Start a New Topic" Button???? Am I just blind, but there's nothing like that popping up on my screen at all. Or do I have to post some replies before that button pops up. Someone, please tell me.

Thanks so much. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am not sure if I am definitely starting an LPN program this upcoming October. I did graduate from a Medical Assistant program in Dec 2010 (A.A.S.) I didnt have the best experience at that college (and was private and expensive!) I did well just that I dont feel like I got much hands on experience. So I have been working at a hospital since May 2011 and have just been trying to keep my foot in the door. I was an nurse assistant for a short time, then a unit clerk for most of the time, then I recently got bumped to pharmacy not by choice. I just dont know if I could make school work with work. In the past I always went full time but was not at this job. The program would either be M-THURS 8-2 OR 4-10 and locations differ so it seems like would be hard to work my 2 days at least a week. I work 7-3. Plus I used alot of my aid of in the past and I have 2 scholarships I never used up but I cant use them for the LPN program :( So thats where I am... I still have to set up a financial aid appointment. I havent found full time work yet so I thought it would be better to be safe and sign up for the program than not 2.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion