Feedback needed for a Military Med Tech preparing for the LVN

mistyz23 · Jan 9, 2006

I thought I should add what I've had experience with through the military:

I never did PM care (post mortem)
Got quickie training as a telemetry tech
Frequent vitals (oh how fun! especially emptying the foley.)
I drew/discontinued ART lines a lot (with supervison, at first)
I learned to set up SWANS
I did quite a few IV's, but never felt too comfortable with them
A lot of venipuncture w/ the vacutainer and a butterfly
AM and PM blood draws/ sputum/ urine & stool samples
Did lots of trach care and open wound care
Almost all patients were on vents so I learned a bit about the vent settings
Participated actively in 8 codes that I can think of (bagging, mostly)
More EKG's than I care to admit

I had a lot of patients who were in the final stages of life simply because it is a military hospital and there are a lot of VA patients. I dealt with blood transfusions, vents, hemo patients, your run of the mill ICU stuff, I would expect.

I know the hands on experience I have puts me at a great advantage, but the lack of comprehension puts me at a bigger disadvantage. I am not at all trying to brag, I know most of you have done much much much more than I have. MUCH much more, I am sure. After seeing my laundry list, maybe that will help suggest what areas I am weak in?

Thanks for the advice!

Fiona59 · Jan 9, 2006

Hi, my only experience with medics going LPN is up here in Canada. Our medics do the LPN training at the colleges, the same clinicals and write our national exam, all so they can be enrolled in the OR Tech course.

So, yes, they have am/pm care, LTC, Peds, Maternity, clinical time, and classes in ethics and professional growth.

I think our exam is different from yours but you might want to check with your peers who have passed your exam.

I always tell people, "you know what you're weak in, refresh that".

mistyz23 · Jan 9, 2006

Hi, my only experience with medics going LPN is up here in Canada. Our medics do the LPN training at the colleges, the same clinicals and write our national exam, all so they can be enrolled in the OR Tech course.
So, yes, they have am/pm care, LTC, Peds, Maternity, clinical time, and classes in ethics and professional growth.
I think our exam is different from yours but you might want to check with your peers who have passed your exam.
I always tell people, "you know what you're weak in, refresh that".

Thank you :) I emailed a few of my friends who have done it and am waiting for replies.

I have an annual tour coming up, maybe I could put it in mother baby so I can get some time in on that ward.. Thanks!

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2006

I have a question for you? How does this work I have a friend that is a medic now I dont know what level or anything but I was telling him he could take the LVN boards. Is this a thing that varies from state to state or do you take it in your homestate. I guess what I am looking for is this something you can do in every state or a selected few. Did I just confuse you?lol

Hello! I have been in the Air Force Reserve for 2 years and received a year of training including 4 months in the MICU. I am challenging the LVN in the next few months. The board recognizes Med Techs who are trained up to 5 level, and I am about to get that really soon. However, I feel my military training has fallen short of what should help me pass the exam. I never learned much about pharmacology other than basics, and my anatomy is not very grounded. I am enrolled in my local community college this semester for: A&P, Nutrition, Lab Values and Interpretation, Pharmacology and Implications. Should these classes provide enough backbone for me to be ready for the LVN? These classes are from the LVN program at my community college. I am curious if I am overlooking some important components to ensure success. I do not want to be surprised finding out I underestimated the exam.
I have quite a few colleagues who did not even go this far. They simply studied a few months and passed. I am not sure that route is for me.
After I receive the LVN license, I will be enrolling in the military LVN to RN program that is a 18 month program. I am ambitious.
:chuckle

mistyz23 · Jan 13, 2006

Hey! No problem!

You must have 12 months of bedside care on a ward through the military. I think it is 51 months of other bedside care in a ward for non-military applicants to challenge it. This is the rule for the California board, and there are a few advisories posted that the challenged license may not be accepted in many sates. But, I will only be in California, so I'm ok with that. :) Hope that helps!

jjessie3d · Feb 3, 2006

I am former Air Force and I went through the same program as you...I challenged the LVN board and passed about 14 years ago. The NCLEX books for studying for the LVN test were all I used. On slow nights on the OB Ward, the RNs would ask me questions from the books for hours on end. That's all it took for me. I have no nursing college courses like anatomy, etc. Let me know if you have any other questions, and good luck!