differences between school and on the job

Nurses LPN/LVN

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I have a lot of questions while I go through the application process for LPN training. so please bear with me. I want to make as an informed decision as I can about pursuing this career.

For those who are working as LPN's... I would like to know if actually doing the work is different than what you thought it would be while still in LPN school. I know classroom learning is different than actually getting in there and learning hands-on, but is it what you expected? How have you been disappointed or satisfied with actually being a nurse, compared to what you thought it would be like when still learning in class?

Anything along those lines you can tell a pre-nursing student would be appreciated.

Thanks!

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Specializes in Geriatric and now peds!!!!.

I just graduated in March, and passed the NCLEX this past Monday. Yes, work is different then school. for instance, I have learned things on the job that they didnt teach us in school. I am a life long learner, and I believe that no matter how long I am a nurse, I will always be learning new things. clinicals will give you a snapshot of what to expect, but in clinicals we only had 1 pt, and at my job I have 33!! So time management is very important. Good luck.:monkeydance:

Wendy

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Thank you, tatgirl.

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I don't feel school really prepares you for the real world, but you don't get to do/see everything in school since clinicals are only 1-2 days/week and you have to share skills. Plus, in clinical you usually don't have doctors throwing charts at you and yelling at you and calling you names. That's one of the hardest things for me. But you do have those wonderful docs that even it out. I am satisfied with being a nurse, but have had a rough 3 weeks and considered leaving the profession. I'll stick with it, it was just a bad few weeks, and for the most part, I love what i do. It's frustrating to not have the experience that a lot of other nurses at my facility do, but they are all very supportive and that makes a huge difference. So I guess what I'm saying is no, it's not like school, but make sure whereever you work is supportive and you'll be okay.

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Altho I don't have anything to add ( I won't start PN school till October),..But I just wanted to say.....

What a GREAT question you asked!! and HeatherLPN & tatgirl what great responses!!...

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Specializes in A myriad of specialties.

Gosh, school was a long time ago for me but YES it's VERY different than in school; there is so much "on-the-job" training that you get AFTER you get out. The staff-to-patient ratios are different for one thing--especially in LTC, in hemodialysis, and, I would imagine, in a number of other specialties. Is nursing what I expected? Yes---and so very much more!!!!!

My disappointments as a nurse have resulted from my perfectionistic attitude(wanting/expecting to get ALL things done and more), from rude coworkers, rude MDs but these have been few, thankfully. My most major disappointments have surrounded the times when I know everything has been done for the patient--there is nothing more I can to do "fix" the situation. And yet when that happens, I then have to focus on making his/her end as comfortable/peaceful as possible.

My satisfaction as a nurse has been derived from "those special moments" with patients (being present when they pass away), taking time to sit and listen to them as they cry over lost loved ones or worry over something in their lives or laugh with them over a funny joke, etc. That one-on-one time and what you make of it is something not teachable in school.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I started working as an LVN 4 months ago. I work at a nursing home and have 18 patients to care for.

One of the local LVN schools conducts their clinical classes at my place of employment. I am able to pass medications to all 18 of my patients within 1 hour, yet 2 LVN students consumed over 30 minutes at my medication cart while fumbling around to pass a breathing treatment to 1 patient. In the real world of nursing I do not have 30 minutes to waste giving a breathing treatment to 1 stable patient.

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Specializes in Geriatric and now peds!!!!.

one other piece of advice when you work as a nurse: when you have to call a dr about a pt: have the vital signs ready!!!! I learned that the hard way the first day on the job!!!!!

Wendy

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Thanks for the new responses!!

Keep the ( Reality) advice flowing!!...LOVE IT!!!....

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Yes, thanks for all the responses. These are very informative.

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You are right tat girl. Have the vitals, chart, med list, allergies and an order sheet ready so you can get it all done at once when you call those nice friendly doctors.......

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
You are right tat girl. Have the vitals, chart, med list, allergies and an order sheet ready so you can get it all done at once when you call those nice friendly doctors.......
I phoned a doctor last week and he was angry that I awakened him. I simply stated, "Sir, you are a doctor. Expect to be awakened if you're on-call. If you don't like being awakened by phone calls, please find another profession."
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