Already off on a bad foot and school has yet to start

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Aug 22, 2007

is that school crazy or what? i don't understand .. they won't let you in because you are older? your not 80 are you? are you in the program ? and they said this to you ? the nerve of that instructor.. if your in .. stick with the program .. show them you can do it.. and let them eat their words..

MsLady06 · Aug 22, 2007

Hey all! I've been a long time viewer of this particular forum for some time now and I finally decided to post a thread because I desperately need some advice.
I'm 24 years old and I live in Syracuse, NY (unfortunately) and will be going to LPN school. I emphasize "will" because I fought damn hard to get into that program. She said that myself and a couple of other girls applied for their program having been previously attending college and they "didn't like that". They think that we should seek our Nurse training elsewhere and go into an RN program because the LPN route is for older adults or young CNA's who don't have the means or the "intellectual ability" (their words not mine) to venture off elsewhere. I was taken back by their demeaning attitude but I will not let that stand in the way of getting an LPN education. I yearn to be pediatric nurse and I want to start off as an LPN to gain experience. They have been nothing but rude and patronizing to me. They seriously were very adamant about not letting me into the program; very ludicrous. The nurses and officials that run that program have had it out the hoo-zah with me. It's bad enough I'm petrified of going into the program not knowing anyone or had any previous experience in the health care field.
I don't know what to do or how to handle the situation. I feel like they already have it out for me and maybe want to see me fail. I'm paying for this out of my own pocket and I already can't afford it (only working part time) but I'm doing the best I can to get to my dreams. I've tried to talk to them but they just give me attitude and I don't understand why. I aced the pre-admissions test and I would be a wonderful asset to not only their school but to their graduating statistics. I know I can and will pass but I don't want to go through 9 months of complete hell and torture. I'm a sensitive soul and I know I will break down.
Has anyone had instructors from Hell? If so, how do you handle it?
I would also appreciate any advice on how to make new friends. I'm extremely shy and I know LPN school may require a lot of group activities.

uhm....that is a major insult to anyone who is or has been an LPN. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet to get what you want. I would graduate and never come back. Dont listen to them..they are probably the same ones saying Medications Aides have the same credentials as LPN's. Always follow your dreams. :)

2bNurse_Loah · Aug 22, 2007

I agree with Mslady, that is really insulting. And i also think its a really ignorant way of looking at things. They should want the best candidates for there program.... period. Hang on, Im sure you will do great and attain your dream.

As for making friends in school, Im a social butterfly so it has always been easy for me. The best advice I could give someone is this:

People are people, there just like you. Probably a little nervous, not knowing what to expect. Just smile, be super nice and ask them something about themselves. People love to talk, its a good icebreaker to let them do the talking and you can comment back :)

Try It........

And you can look at it like your working on your social skills for patients.

Good Luck!!!!!!

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Aug 22, 2007

nurse loah your advice is great.. i just love it.. i agree w/ you 100%..

MidnightRider · Aug 22, 2007

I just find their attitudes towards their LPN program nauseating. There are people, from all of walks of life, entering that program and for them to just demean their education really makes me upset. I just never felt so low until I encountered these people that will be in my life for the next nine months. I just can't believe how rude they are. Nursing is a wonderful career for the caring and intelligent. Not any Joe Schmo can go into an LPN program and pass. It's hard tough work that you have to be committed to. Their comments really upset me and I don't know what to do about it. I just can't believe they would ever say something like that. If it weren't for the other institution in my area that provides LPN training I wouldn't go but I just can't, at this point in my life, hold off anything else any longer.

Thanks for the advice on making new friends. I'm going to try to apply that when school starts (on the 28th!!!).

Has anyone entered an LPN course having no previous health care experience? Is it harder?

Jules A, MSN · Aug 22, 2007

This is highly insulting. I was told by the Director of my LPN program that I had the grades to get into the RN program and she didn't understand why I didn't apply for it but she was cool after I explained why I wanted to be an LPN first. Just do your thing and don't give them the opportunity to bother with you.

SAHMU4IA · Aug 22, 2007

Has anyone entered an LPN course having no previous health care experience? Is it harder?

Yes, me. No medical experience whatsoever. Also, I am "older".

I finished at the top of class:idea: and have been offered a good position even before I took boards. (still waiting for results!:angryfire). Attention current students: think of your Clinicals as job interviews...they're watching!

And was it harder? Only in the beginning when I had to come to terms with body "substances". But you get over that real quick, especially if you've raised a couple kids. The vast majority of people who failed our program (almost 50%!) worked as CNA's. Not sure what the connection is.

jelorde37 · Aug 22, 2007

man.... thats some really crazy stuff. i feel pretty offended. they made it seem like lvn school is for stupid people. lol i guess im stupid even tho i work in a cardiac care unit, saved a handful of lives, and about to start the lvn-rn transition program. dont listen to them man... just graduate and show them that you got what it takes to be a a good nurse, whether lvn or rn... i went into lvn school right after highschool with no previous health care experience... clinicals might be hard at first but once you have the fundamentals down, youll do great. good luck with lpn school

pagandeva2000, LPN · Aug 23, 2007

It is amazing for me to see that instructors that are actually teaching LPNs think low of us. What I noticed when I went to nursing school is that the professors used to say "When you all become RNs..." and that used to piss me off to no end. Many think that LPN is a stepping stone rather than an entity or career of it's own.

I would attend there if that is what you wish and just do well. In terms of making friends, I just say to be yourself, but also to be careful of who you befriend. My experience showed me that nursing school on any level is highly competitive, and many may decide to befriend certain people to use them; especially if a student is doing better scholastically than others. I have seen some students do unsafe things just to do someone else in; such as bringing down a siderail on the bed or raising the bed to the highest position so that the instructor can discover it and blame it on the student that was assigned to that client. There were some arguments that almost went to knock down, drag out fights because students were jealous of each other. This did not apply to every student, but, I say that it is nice to have a friend or two, but mainly focus on your education.

Those group projects were hell to me, because there will always be a person or two that shift their work on some of the others. This causes stress because each group member's grade is affected if the work is not complete. I used to state what my contribution for the group project would be, do it early and then concentrate more on the exams; which were preparing me for NCLEX. I don't wish to sound negative, but, just be careful who you associate with, because when all is said and done, this is YOUR future. People can drag you down if you are not careful.

Fiona59 · Aug 23, 2007

I've never heard those type of comments up here. Our instructors recognize that not everyone wants to be an RN. This was especially true after the BScN became the only way to be an RN.

In my class there were several second career students.

Several of my classmates have returned to university but NOT for their RN's. Science, History, Environmental Studies, all sorts of degrees. They are using their PN paycheques to pay for their dreams.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Aug 24, 2007

I keep having these conversations with the RNs I work with and they continue to ask me why I will not become an RN. It is simply not for me. Not everyone wants to be one. I have deep admiration for those that decide to go for their dreams and become one, however, to me, there is more to life than killing myself in school just to be more stressed out and annoyed later on. That is just me, though. Thus far, being an LPN has worked wonders for me. I can take care of patients, continue to read and take continuing education courses simply because I am interested, and (while being an LPN is stressful, also), I do not have the same stress as RNs. Nor, do I want it.

Do what is best for you. When you complete the program, you can become an RN if you wish. And the great thing about it is that I believe you will still value LPNs because of your negative experience with these wacko professors.