Anyone starting LPN Program this Winter 2011 Semester in Michigan?

Anne36, LPN · Oct 6, 2010

Hi, I am still waiting to find out if I get accepted at Oakland Community College in Southfield Mi. Im starting to get scared because the applications were due in by Sept 1 and I still dont know anything. I will be completley crushed if I get rejected. I used to live in Grand Rapids and actually took 1 class at GRCC many years ago. I wish I had met with a counselor back then and had some guidance. I jumped into my first college class way over my head and ended up being discouraged and dropped out.

Anne36, LPN · Oct 10, 2010

Yes, I just got my letter and our Program begins in January. I cant belive I will be a nursing student soon, Im so darn nervous.

mschris · Apr 9, 2011

Hi Michelle, I hope your clinicals are going fine so far. I am also a GRCC student but I'm starting my clinical Winter 2012. I would love to hear some of your experiences so far...

Y.not.ask · May 7, 2011

Just finished GRCC RN program and it is the best! I can help answer some questions I do not know much about the LPN program but I can answer some general if you have any questions.

Good Luck!

mschris · May 7, 2011

@ Y.not.ask, congratulations on finishing the program! I'm so happy for you! I can't wait until I can say that *smiles*

I'm starting my clinicals for the RN program in January at GRCC and I so excited and scared at the same time. So tell me how your clinicals was when you first started. How was your experience with your professors? Do you feel that working a part-time job plus clinicals is too much? Did a lot of students drop out? What was the most challenging part of the entire clinical experience? What should I focus on? I'm sorry for asking so many questions, but its so much about clinicals that I curious about so whatever pearls of wisdom that you can share with us will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Y.not.ask · May 8, 2011

You are scared that is okay I think we all were scared the first day. AD 125 and AD 130 I think they have new names like NUR 102 and 103 nit sure but they are the first two classes. Medsurg 1 and Communication. Classes as you know are every seven weeks with the first seven being the...ummm trying to think of a word...not hard well maybe but not impossible...really trying to help...okay Mon/Wedn you will have one class and Tues/Thurs another Mon/Wedn 7:45-10 Tues/Thurs 7:45-10 with clinical same days until 12 I think that is the same?! Thats it time consuming tat is the word once you get pass that you will adjust to the every seven weeks change...Are all your pre nursing classes done? That helps alot to only be in nursing classes! You want to only be in nursing classes!!! A&P is a very important class where you learn the normals which will make learning the abnormals so much easier!

Clinicals when I first started were at the college in one of the health lab rooms, and then at a nursing home not giving care just doing an interview. The first set of clinicals not to difficult. Care plans and nursing assessment was pretty much the just of it.

The professors at GRCC have so much clinical experience, you will love it! I was always so nervous at clinicals, but at the beginning level you should be fine! Keep you clinical manual with you at all times, of course prepare the night before but between your prep and the next day things can change. You are expected to know what you need to do but if changes occur being able to say let me check my manual is better than I dont know! I got the lecture instructor as my clinical instructor a few times and I loved that!

No one that I remember just dropped out, but if you do not make it to the 80% you have failed and must wait until a spot comes back up for you. SO the first two classes as far as waiting are the two you want to pass. While the classes are offered only every seven weeks so no matter what you will have to wait seven weeks but the first two classes you have been waiting how long to get in? You dont want to fail those classes....Those classes should not be to difficult ( I say that now) 130 has only two exams and one of the exams when I took the class was the same day that the other class begin teaching about the heart and lungs assessmet which for me was the hardet test so looking back I wish I had brought my tape recorder because my mind was everywhere but in the class.

Most challenging part??? I think remaining clam was the hardest part. I cant really describe the hardest part ummmm maybe the night before prep which was ver time consuming finding meds and typing them out. As you type out your meds for the clinical SAVE them and make like a med journal so in the future you can just cut and paste a med to your new profile trust me this will help!

FOCUS on the notes that the instructor gives you know them and how to apply the information.

Let me know if I can help anymore...CONGRATS and GOOD LUCK! You can do it!

mschris · May 8, 2011

Thanks for the input, I sincerely appreicate it. No, I haven't finished all my pre-nursing classes yet but I'm scheduled to take my last one this fall (BI 122). Have you taken your start board yet?

mschris · Jul 23, 2012

Hi Michelle! So how's your classes? Feel free to inbox me if you like. Happy studying:)