Feeling anxious about nursing school

jesslahti future LVN · May 8, 2020

I'm currently in lvn school and have been online for the past couple of months. I started in September. thank God, we still get clinical hours! it's hard online, but it's manageable. if you have specific questions let me know. ?

Kammyyyboo, CNA · May 8, 2020

28 minutes ago, jesslahtidah said:
I'm currently in lvn school and have been online for the past couple of months. I started in September. thank God, we still get clinical hours! it's hard online, but it's manageable. if you have specific questions let me know. ?

How many classes did they start you off with? How do you remain focused while studying (especially now with so many home-related distractions)? How many months is your program? mine is 12 months total. Is it smart for me to make friends in this program or is flying solo a good way to stay focused?

My biggest concerns is balancing home life and school work. If my program does become online I have a lot of distractions with include my 7 family members not understanding how vital studying is in this intense program. I really hope the quarantine is lifted in august so I am able to study on campus, library and cafes I don't think ill be as successful online. Do you have any tips that could help me with a possible online course? THANK YOU SO MUCH.

rodri18 · May 8, 2020

I finished my LPN program last year, at first it was a little overwhelming due to a bunch of work just thrown at us. You'll get into a routine and you're gonna be just fine. I am an independent learner however nursing school will force you to adapt. I had a study group who we met the days we were off. right now I am doing an RN program and we had to switch online and its been rough. However one of my classmates and I zoom and study together that way. Find a room where you can get your work done. Read read read, If your instructors have powerpoints use them. Usually they guide you what is the content they want you to know for the test, that way you don't read the entire chapter because thats impossible at least for me, I couldn't just read an entire chapter, even now in the RN usually the things they have on the powerpoints is their main focus for the test. Do alot of practice questions if yall are using ATI they have a ton of those do them they will help with the test and the proctored test.

jesslahti future LVN · May 9, 2020

well I'm at a vocational school, so it's accelerated. it is one year total with the 3 week pre req beforehand, (it was very easy.) I'm at unitek btw. we start with more sociological classes, more basic things.

as long as you read your books slowly and take solid notes, you'll be fine. lectures don't do too much for me so I dumb things down in my notes and write something down for EVERY paragraph I read so I don't zone out if the chapter is dull LOL.

I am blessed to have a study at my house so I shut the door and tell my boyfriend to be quiet during quizzes LOL. I focus best at my desk, being on the couch or in the kitchen you'll likely struggle.

I had class m-th 8-5 with an hour lunch. then clinical were w&th and the times depended on the facility. now in 3rd term, my final one yay! I have class 8-5 m-f.

for friends, that's really up to you. some of my classmates are very cliquey and it works for them, I personally have been getting high b's in my terms from always studying alone. people will help though! just smile at everyone the first day. ? (a 75 is passing for my school btw)

do you have access to a back or front yard? garage? you could get creative! my classmate listens to lectures outside LOL. headphones help a lot! I hope they can respect your education but its just a hard time right now. ?however, there's pros and cons. I can shoot my instructors questions on zoom and its WAY quicker than waiting in line to ask a question, there's 32 people in my cohort.

I hope this is helpful! any more questions lmk happy to help! ?

Kammyyyboo, CNA · May 10, 2020

On 5/8/2020 at 5:47 PM, rodri18 said:
I finished my LPN program last year, at first it was a little overwhelming due to a bunch of work just thrown at us. You'll get into a routine and you're gonna be just fine. I am an independent learner however nursing school will force you to adapt. I had a study group who we met the days we were off. right now I am doing an RN program and we had to switch online and its been rough. However one of my classmates and I zoom and study together that way. Find a room where you can get your work done. Read read read, If your instructors have powerpoints use them. Usually they guide you what is the content they want you to know for the test, that way you don't read the entire chapter because thats impossible at least for me, I couldn't just read an entire chapter, even now in the RN usually the things they have on the powerpoints is their main focus for the test. Do alot of practice questions if yall are using ATI they have a ton of those do them they will help with the test and the proctored test.

Thank you for letting me in on your personal experience through nursing school. I want to do the same thing do a bridge program for my RN I just wanna start slow with lvn to get a feel of the field. I will take all the advice you told into consideration thank you!!

Kammyyyboo, CNA · May 10, 2020

On 5/8/2020 at 7:07 PM, jesslahtidah said:
well I'm at a vocational school, so it's accelerated. it is one year total with the 3 week pre req beforehand, (it was very easy.) I'm at unitek btw. we start with more sociological classes, more basic things.
as long as you read your books slowly and take solid notes, you'll be fine. lectures don't do too much for me so I dumb things down in my notes and write something down for EVERY paragraph I read so I don't zone out if the chapter is dull LOL.
I am blessed to have a study at my house so I shut the door and tell my boyfriend to be quiet during quizzes LOL. I focus best at my desk, being on the couch or in the kitchen you'll likely struggle.
I had class m-th 8-5 with an hour lunch. then clinical were w&th and the times depended on the facility. now in 3rd term, my final one yay! I have class 8-5 m-f.
for friends, that's really up to you. some of my classmates are very cliquey and it works for them, I personally have been getting high b's in my terms from always studying alone. people will help though! just smile at everyone the first day. ? (a 75 is passing for my school btw)
do you have access to a back or front yard? garage? you could get creative! my classmate listens to lectures outside LOL. headphones help a lot! I hope they can respect your education but its just a hard time right now. ?however, there's pros and cons. I can shoot my instructors questions on zoom and its WAY quicker than waiting in line to ask a question, there's 32 people in my cohort.
I hope this is helpful! any more questions lmk happy to help! ?

I've heard of uni ! my program is a 12 month program also!! Right now I have 8 classes split into 8 weeks...so 4 classes every 8 weeks for the first 16 week semester. Plus clinicals. I know I will be busy and literally have no social life but its fine!! A 75 is passing at my school as well. I'm a people person by nature so I don't mind people so the study group idea might be smart with a small group. I will probably set up my office space in the garage where its quieter. I'm so ready to get started with my Classes and my program. My school times are 8-5 also I just won't have a set schedule until it gets closer to august. Thank you so much for answering all my questions. it really helped a lot

Soon2blpn84, LPN · May 13, 2020

Hi!

I graduated this Spring and my best advice is to stay on top of everything. Make sure you understand what you're learning. I found school to not be terribly hard but time consuming. It's good that you already know that your social life will change. Also knowing how you learn is key, visual, auditory learner, etc. Good luck with everything. It'll be here before you know it . Soon you'll look up and be a new grad!!

AspiringRN, CNA, LPN · May 27, 2020

Hi, I am a recent graduate of LPN school ( February 2020. )

The LPN program in general is crammed with a lot of material in a short period of time and constant studying. If you're having doubts about not doing well before you've already started the program, you have to question yourself and ask "Is this really for me?". The nursing program is difficult in general and needs 100 percent dedication.

If you're looking for tips, one of the biggest tips I can give you is: Self doubt will always deter you. Believe in yourself!

Order books now and practice nursing questions ahead of time:

NCLEX PN Saunders Book is one of the many sources that will help you throughout the entire program.

And yes, it's also good to make friends at the beginning in the program (as long as they aren't a distraction). They are who can help to provide study tips and extra sources to you.

Kammyyyboo, CNA · May 29, 2020

On 5/27/2020 at 3:32 PM, AspiringRN said:
Hi, I am a recent graduate of LPN school ( February 2020. )
The LPN program in general is crammed with a lot of material in a short period of time and constant studying. If you're having doubts about not doing well before you've already started the program, you have to question yourself and ask "Is this really for me?". The nursing program is difficult in general and needs 100 percent dedication.
If you're looking for tips, one of the biggest tips I can give you is: Self doubt will always deter you. Believe in yourself!
Order books now and practice nursing questions ahead of time:
NCLEX PN Saunders Book is one of the many sources that will help you throughout the entire program.
And yes, it's also good to make friends at the beginning in the program (as long as they aren't a distraction). They are who can help to provide study tips and extra sources to you.

Thank you for the advice !! I have heard so much about the Saunders study book and I will purchase it before I start. Does it matter if its the newest addition? or can I get a older version? And congratulations on graduating ! How is working as a LVN vs CNA is the work different or more of the same.

AspiringRN, CNA, LPN · May 30, 2020

I recently took the NCLEX PN test on May 27 and found out I passed yesterday. I haven't started working as a LPN. When I do, I'll update you and let you know the answer to your question. I am sure the difference is huge being that the job tasks are entirely different.

Kammyyyboo, CNA · May 31, 2020

On 5/30/2020 at 9:47 AM, AspiringRN said:
I recently took the NCLEX PN test on May 27 and found out I passed yesterday. I haven't started working as a LPN. When I do, I'll update you and let you know the answer to your question. I am sure the difference is huge being that the job tasks are entirely different.

CONGRATS on passing your NCLEX Pn test!! Thats such a big thing! And yes please keep me updated. Thank you so much for your help. What books did you use to study for the exam