Dropping Out of the LVN Program

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Hi, this is my second semester in the LVN program. I have a new clinical instructor and hospital this semester. She is horrible and doesn't teach us any of the things we are supposed to do. She will tell you to shut up or stop asking questions.Everyone is petrified of her. She told us this week that we are supposed to take our patients and do everything for them except pushes. We haven't been trained for anything except by a book that we studied ourselves. I am the only new student as the other 8 were there last semester. I don't know how to work the pda or the in and outs like the others but she could care less about me. I don't sleep the night before clinicals because I dread it so much. I just wrote to the head of the department and told her I am out. Everyone says we are like lambs being lead to the slaughter. It is a very disorganized program. I can't believe it is such a mess. I am sad because I really loved being a nursing student . I am a retired teacher so I do not have to put up with it like the others though.

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

What state do you live in? I just completed my LPN program, and next week is finals, and then, I am out.

The LPN program can be very demanding, because they are basically cramming in most nursing skills within a year. For me, it was hours and hours of studying and you will spend part of the time in class, labs, and then at your clinical site. It can be demanding on the body, and my sleep patterns are horrible. But, if you want it, you will make it. I am a Black woman also, but, I can't really say that I had a hard time per se because of my color, because I attended a community college that had a nice blend of cultures. Most times, you may need an exceptionally high GPA to enter because space is limited.

I am 40 years old, and had not been to college before, so, for me, it was best to begin in an LPN program, to have the foundation to build on, in case I do decide to become an RN later. My school had it where if you failed any course in the first semester, you were not able to move on at all, because they feel that Fundamentals is the foundation, and if you are lost then, you have nothing to build on for later. I do find that to be true.

Make sure that you speak to family, friends, and spouses to let them know that you will be quite busy, and may have to place them on the side in order to complete this goal. But, again, if you want it, go for it, and dedicate the time. I never thought that it would be over, but here I am, one year later, and only have to go to school on Wednesday for the final, and from there, I have to study for the NCLEX-PN. You couldn't have told me then, but now I know, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Good luck!

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

One of the things I realized as time went on is that the professors that I didn't see eye to eye with eventually respected me. The program director of my school, for example, hated my guts, and yet, I used her attitude to inspire me. One day, very recently, she saw that I was passing quite well compared to some of the other students, and she walked up to me, and said "You really are a trooper, aren't you?". That was the closet she'll ever do to say "I'm sorry". That meant alot to me. I'm glad I didn't give up.

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Specializes in LTC and MED-SURG.
greetings to all the wonderful healthcare professionals,

i am planning to enter the l.p.n. program at the college i currently attend. i just had a talk with someone in financial aid and it was not good. the program accepted 30 students and only six people graduated. they had only an 87% passing rate on the nclex in 2004. additionally, it was said to me that the instructor's are hard and will make it harder because, i am black. i need the wisdom of vets, and new nurses(lpn,rn) alike. any suggestions on what to put in a bio that they are requiring, any pointers on the net test? help me. i am so discouraged. what is an lpn program like? if you fail two test you are out of the program.

hi: no lpn program is exactly alike. requirements are slightly different. i wouldn't let anything or anybody discourage me. ask yourself why you want to be a nurse and how much it means to you. put that in your bio for starters. also, there are books available on passing the net that you can start studying now. i will be graduating from an lpn program in 4 1/2 weeks and it has been difficult, but the key has always been study, study, study with comprehension! also, what really helped me was studying with a small study group of serious-minded students and taking nclex practice tests.

above all else, learn to deal with discouragement, because you are going to encounter a lot of stumbling blocks.

much success to you!

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I graduated from my lpn program 2 months ago,but I cannot go for the board cause I don't pass my exit {HESI} my school says that I have one more chance to take it again and I am really scared to go.They said if I don't pass it this time I have to start the program from scratch.I paid a total $12,000 for tuition books are not include.I am a single mother of 2 and I did not get financial aid nor loan.I charge my tuition on credit card and borrowed from my sister.I really don't know what to do it's very scarry.Any suggestions will be appreciate. Thally

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You women are inspirational. I meet with the Nursing Advisors in one week. I am so encouraged. I have a phonomenal belief in God because, I have seen him move mightily. You are speaking to a survivor of katrina!!! I will confer a lot with you guys as I journey through this career path. Thankyou for your transparency and most of all your integrity.

God Bless you,

You Guys deserve Your liscenses

Drysolong You are going to be an outstanding nurse. The compassion you display reveal that.

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Gooey Had Great Advise "smart Woman" Like She Said Its Better To Just Go Along With Them And Make No Waves Because They Can And Will Make Your Life "hell" Hang In There Its Not Like That In The Real World:d

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I Dont Get It You Have To Take And Exit Exam???

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Specializes in LTC/Sub Acute Rehab.

DON'T DROP OUT! I had an instructor who I had for the second time around and when I got to clinicals late(not on purpose) she ripped me apart. She told me that she didn't know why I came back and that my classmates didn't like me, which I didn't care because I didn't go to school to make friends (I acquired them along the way). I got put out of the program but, I went to another school after 2 yrs and successfully graduated and became a nurse as of last Saturday! So, DON'T LET THAT INSTRUCTOR STEAL YOUR DREAM IS WHAT I'M TELLING YOU! If I had, I WOULD'VE NEVER FULFILLED MY DREAM! NEEDLESS TO SAY, I KNOW I'M GOOD AT WHAT I DO!:nurse:

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Reading this thread makes me appreciate my instructors very much. They give us alot of homework and I get tired of it sometimes, but they are very helpful and constantly encourage us. When we are at clinicals, they encourage us to get all the experience we can. When an opportunity arises for us to do a skill, we page them and they come to supervise us while we perform the skill. They always go over it with us before we go into the patient's room, and they encourage us and tell us how well we did. If we make a mistake they tell us it's okay because we are learning. I wish everyone could have instructor's like mine, I learn so much from them at clinicals. They work with us so much, when we took our state assessment test a few weeks ago, our entire class was above the national average.

I hope you don't drop out of nursing school. You have made it this far. Please don't let bad instructors ruin it for you.

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Please do not let anyone have that kind of control over what you want to do with your life. I am just starting clinicals and I absolutely hate it. I feel absolutely inadequate. I dread every Sunday and Monday night but I know I can get through it. I have been an LPN for 20 years but only in a clinic. I started the ADN program just last month in the third semester. I feel totally lost as what I am supposed to be doing out on the hospital floor and feel it is somewhat irresposible just throwing me out on the floor and expecting that I will know what to do. I don't know because I have never been taught and have only worked at the clinic. I am supposed to do total patient care including all meds, IV's, blood, etc... etc... and know the hospital computer program for charting too. The so-called "orientation" was worthless and a few hours is no where near long enough. All the other students were in the program the first and second semesters and so they are not new to the hospital setting. I was on the waiting list for 3 years to complete this RN thing and I will complete it no matter what! They will have to ask me to leave if they want me out. I would not give anyone the pleasure of having that kind of control over me that I would voluntarily drop the program. Please stick with it and then let us know. You go girl! The very best of luck to you!!!

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
You women are inspirational. I meet with the Nursing Advisors in one week. I am so encouraged. I have a phonomenal belief in God because, I have seen him move mightily. You are speaking to a survivor of katrina!!! I will confer a lot with you guys as I journey through this career path. Thankyou for your transparency and most of all your integrity.

God Bless you,

You Guys deserve Your liscenses

Drysolong You are going to be an outstanding nurse. The compassion you display reveal that.

(((Katrina Survivor)))

Special Blessings to you to make a change in spite of the tragedy your city experienced!! Do you still reside in New Orleans? How are things going there, and if you are not there, where are you located? My job asked for volunteers to go and help down there for three weeks, but, because I was in school, I couldn't go. Otherwise, I would have gone, and stayed as long as I can.

Please do well!

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Reading this thread makes me appreciate my instructors very much. They give us alot of homework and I get tired of it sometimes, but they are very helpful and constantly encourage us. When we are at clinicals, they encourage us to get all the experience we can. When an opportunity arises for us to do a skill, we page them and they come to supervise us while we perform the skill. They always go over it with us before we go into the patient's room, and they encourage us and tell us how well we did. If we make a mistake they tell us it's okay because we are learning. I wish everyone could have instructor's like mine, I learn so much from them at clinicals. They work with us so much, when we took our state assessment test a few weeks ago, our entire class was above the national average.

I hope you don't drop out of nursing school. You have made it this far. Please don't let bad instructors ruin it for you.

You are very fortunate to have had great instructors that took the time to teach their students, and of course, they should be greatly appreciated. I had instructors with great personalities, but only one actually gave us a chance to do skills. Wednesday is my final exam day, and to date, I have not inserted a catheter, G-Tube, or decubitus dressing, only gave meds 4 times (once each semester, mind you), and two subcutaneous injections-both insulin. Thank goodness, my job paid my way through school, therefore, they HAVE to hire me as an LPN, otherwise, I'd be out in the dump. I got to the point where I really didn't care, I was more focused on passing the theory, because most of that is what will be on NCLEX.

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