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.
"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."
Too Right! Organize for each day, study a couple of hours at a time to get into the subject matter. Practice in the labs whenever possible. Manage your time wisely in clinicals, and start, do, nursing notes as instructed.
Do not loan any books or personal stethoscopes and find out the books you need each day. Secure your items and choose your classmates wisely. Observe people. You were not born yesterday, and people have not changed in the world. This is a sorry truth, but do it. Nursing is a higher calling, but it appeals to all walks of life.
You seem to be someone for the instructors to be jealous of, because you can do the LPN program, and finish an RN program early in your life. Too bad they cannot be positive.
Some programs try to weed out the weak and it is only human, but you are smart, and not weak, or feeble minded.
You can do this one day at a time. It is true not everyone will stay or finish, but you will if you put your mind to it.
As an older LPN (in my 30s) when I went to school, I had no prior experience in the healthcare field either other than being a medical transcriptionist. I also had a college degree which nobody paid any attention to. I'm on the shy side, but I made friends in a few months when we settled down. I became good friends with 5 students and was friendly with the others. We had a great class and for the most part got along well. I was REALLY scared of clinicals not having CNA experience but I did fine. I was not as confident or good as the CNAs in the class with regard to washing patients or making beds, but I caught up quickly.
Weird as it may sound, many people go to LPN school with a friend or relative. I know 4 people who went with their sister-in-laws. Yeah, they had a "buddy" but it's rewarding to challenge yourself and make new friends.
Regarding your learning skills/college classes; most of the students in my class had taken classes and were intelligent. That's not a bad thing! LOL! Just prepare to devote yourself to school and you'll do fine! The friends will come and your confidence will grow.
Good luck!
PS: There is lots of opportunity for LPNs in Peds; from office nurse, pediatric LTC to private duty pediatrics!
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I used to purchase many red pens and yellow highlighters because there was something about writing in red and brightening that up with yellow that made me remember. I also used many stickies on the pages to rewrite things in words that I personally understood to remember for exams. I graduated on the Dean's List because of that. Also, a good medical dictionary is in order here. Stedman's or Mosby's medical dictionaries stayed close to my bedside for me to study. Have different folders for different classes, also, for organization. Time management and organization is the main key for passing nursing school. If you have family, let them know that you need their help or at least stay out of your way. Also, let friends or significant others know as well. You will see; there will not be much time for them. But, bottom line is if you want it, you will MAKE it happen. Good luck!
I went back to school to become a nurse at 52. I didn't know I was in an LPN program until I got there. You had to pass the PN to make the RN year, as well as be accepted in. I did and I was but elected to work and finish the RN on-line.
LPN's weren't put down in my school but there was a lot of emphasis on stuff that was for RN's, and should not, IMO, have been smooshed into an already incredibly full LPN year. But, as pagandeva noted, there was an assumption that everyone would try to go on. Great, but I feel a bit short-changed of LPN-specific training that could have taken up time teaching me to do things beyond my scope of practice, such as assessment.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
My hospital is applying for Magnet Status, which is a 'prestigous nursing award' that is geared towards RNs. They are having constant meetings coaching us on what to say to the surveyors when they come in a few short days, and most of the emphasis and benefits are for the RNs, yet, they want us to sit there to take it all in as well.
I have no issues with the emphasis on RNs, but I feel that if it is not for me, then, I shouldn't be involved at all. Sometimes, I suspect that they are including us in order to make the room a bit more crowded and they may even try to pass some of us off as Registered Nurses if they can get away with it. I do notice that sometimes, they consider us to be nurses when it is convienent to them. One pet peeve is when they say "The NURSES and the lpns" as though we are chopped liver or an afterthought...like "oh...and them, too". And, if a mistake is made, then, they suddenly remember as they hang the noose around your neck..."Well, you should have known better...you ARE a nurse, too, you know...". Really annoying.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Bear in mind the Magnet is a marketing tool. That's why it means so much to TPTB.
Of course...the almighty dollar. I really don't think that the nurses in my hospital (particularly the LPNs) will benefit much from it personally. :angryfire
I am an RN student with no previous experience, and in some ways I wish I had started with LVN to gain some confidence and experience. Hang in there; I think you are doing everything just right.
bluwavyhat
16 Posts
"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."
Too Right! Organize for each day, study a couple of hours at a time to get into the subject matter. Practice in the labs whenever possible. Manage your time wisely in clinicals, and start, do, nursing notes as instructed.
Do not loan any books or personal stethoscopes and find out the books you need each day. Secure your items and choose your classmates wisely. Observe people. You were not born yesterday, and people have not changed in the world. This is a sorry truth, but do it. Nursing is a higher calling, but it appeals to all walks of life.
You seem to be someone for the instructors to be jealous of, because you can do the LPN program, and finish an RN program early in your life. Too bad they cannot be positive.
Some programs try to weed out the weak and it is only human, but you are smart, and not weak, or feeble minded.
You can do this one day at a time. It is true not everyone will stay or finish, but you will if you put your mind to it.