Advice for the soon to be LVN students...add yours.

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I have had a really really bad day today...it was a clinical day and the only good day about it was I got to see something I"ve been waiting all semester for.

It was SO bad that I decided to post some advice for the new students starting LVN school...These are all things I wish the seasoned nurses and my classmates would pay attention to as well.

1.) BE prepared. Don't show up at clinical w/o your stethescope, dressed inappropriately or w/o your id badge. If you forget ...speak up...often a classmate has an extra either in their car or bag. Not having what you need makes ALL of your class look bad if the wrong person notices it before you fess up to what could be an honest mistake.

2.) Keep your personal home issues at home. Spreading personal information whether it be to classmates or in the hospital setting is unprofessional. Constant drama in your life can cause people to avoid you...there are things we don't need/want to know. Certain topics just should not come up in mixed company or in instructors presence to name a few: anything regarding your sex life, birth control method, details of your relationship issues, anything related to your money problems, previous run ins with the law, and child care issues. Keep in mind we don't want to hear about any of these related to your best friend, family members, ex husbands either.

3.) Don't talk too much. Be cautious not to talk OVER people. It's annoying and distracting to your classmates when they are trying to hear what the instructors are saying. Not every word an instructor says needs your approval...don't talk just to talk.

4.) TAKE NOTES when your given specific instructions. You are often 'tested' on your ability to follow directions..and if you have an above mentioned #2) and #3) person in your midst it's IMPOSSIBLE to really listen well and get the proper directions/instructions that you need or remember them properly w/ all the crosstalk going on.

5.) BE patient. You will come across nurses that don't like students. That's okay. Maybe they don't feel they are strong enough to handle a student nurse. Maybe they have had a bad experience w/ a student or heard a story that shed a unfavorable light on them (having been a student currently, we always hear about how students from other programs mess up, the big and the small errors). Some are just unfriendly. roll with it and do what you can to stay out of their way. Follow THEIR rules. Yes you may be able to do certain skills according to your program but if they say "do not touch my patient" Don't touch their patient. Just do what you can to help and be eager to offer to help.

6.) Try not to get frustrated w/ the little things. Miscommunication is a big one when dealing w/ a number of instructors/preceptors. Every week we are told one thing only to be told the opposite by another instructor or preceptor. Just do what you can to clarify WITHOUT throwing anyone under the bus.

7.) Don't challenge everything your instructor says. Don't questioin EVERYTHING in a way that may be viewed as disrespectful or trying to "show up" an instructor/preceptor. They don't like that. Your classmates don't like it.

8.) Watch your mouth. Be mindful of HIPPA. More so...watch your language choices. If you swear in public you should be sure your on your OWN time, and NOT in uniform. It makes us all look bad if your not representing yourself well.

9.) Volume control: use it. If you know your naturally a bit on the louder side don't talk in public places about confidential information or ANYTHING that you wouldn't want your instructor to hear about later.

10.) RELAX. The goal is graduation. Don't constantly complain. Poor attitudes are contagious don't add to the infection!

GOOD LUCK.

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Specializes in 10.

I agree with all the information that was given above.

As much as you may want to punch the lady who keeps asking the "same" question, everyday. Leave it alone, she may understand something you don't later on, and can explain it easier than the instructor.:rolleyes:

Stay current with your lab hours, and certifications this way, you are not cramming in all this stuff at the last minute.

Take some time for yourself, even if it is only a hour a day.

Think of yourself as a "sponge" absorb all that you can, when ever you can.

Remember why you are going to school.

NEVER LET ANYONE TELL YOU, YOU CAN'T DO IT. :nono:

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Sorry to hear you had a bad day

This was very helpful and informative. I guess everyone has bad days, don't let it get you down.

:heartbeat

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Very helpful, thank you :)

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