First day of nursing school

[lvnhopeful]

I am writing this for those of us that fret about the unknown.

Today was my first day of LVN nursing school. Our school has a rule that anyone even one second late does not get into the classroom, so a lot of us were very early. I was 40 minutes early and there were five other students ahead of me. A couple of students came in a little late, but I think they were docked.

The classroom was open so we came in and picked our seats. The woman next to me told me she hardly slept at all the night before, and that remark was reiterated by everyone close by. She said she had a dream that she was in a hospital with a disease that no one knew about. She attributed it to a fear of failure to become a nurse.

At the proper time we were introduced to our five teachers and their subjects. Then the head teacher passed out paperwork for us to fill out, (I have never filled out so much paperwork as for LVN school). Then the student handbook was passed out and the whole class (60 of us) took turns reading about the rules, regulations and school Mission Statement. It was made clear to us that the school set high standards and expected nothing but the best from its students.

We were then informed that we would be giving each other bed baths, NG tubes, and foley catheters, in addition to shots. I know I will not be involved in having a foley or a NG tube, but the rest I can live with. If students don't want to commit to a certain proceedure, its not mandatory, however, the students that volunteer for those activities will be the first to do them in clinicals.

The syllabus was not available so we were given our first assignments by our respective teachers. This program is seven hours a day, five days a week. We were told that for every hour of class time we were to have three hours of homework. That equals a 28 hour day not counting everything else besides school. They say we will have time to catch up on weekends. I guess that means I won't be posting as often as I have been lately, lol.

Uniforms were passed out, but we won't be using them for the first eight weeks. Thats when we start our clinical rotations. We were told that we would be working some evenings and some weekends. Oh well, I don't have a life anyway:o

I hope this helps some of you who are wondering what the first day is like. It must vary from school to school. Tonight I will try to catch up on the sleep I didn't get last night because I was sooo nervous about the first day of school. Well, at least I will try to catch up after I do some homework.

Good luck to you all.

[lvnhopeful]

Today was exciting, we gave each other shots. Nine in total.

One we gave ourselves in the stomach with an insulin syringe, the other eight we gave to our partner. Everyone had to participate. three TB syringes sub-Q in the forearm, one in back of arm, one in the stomach, three intramuscular; one in the vastus lateralis, one in the deltoid and one in the ventrogluteal muscle.

Believe it or not, the only ones that sting are the TB shots. Part of that must be because for all of them we used normal saline, the salt.

A few of the students were very anxious and one told me she almost passed out. I don't think it was because she was afraid, it was stressful under the watchful eyes of our instructors.

It really was fun, and most of us really enjoyed it. Nice break from MedMath.

[lvnhopeful]

Yesterday was interesting, we had uniform check.

All sixty of us had to come to school completely dressed as if we were going to our first clinical. Our uniforms are white, so we are only allowed to wear white underwear. I guess you can imagine why.

I thought I was spiffy, I tend to be anal about being prepared. My hair is very short, but they told me I had to cut it because it touches my collar in back. I could also wear a net, or spray/pin it up, but it is already so short that that wouldn't work for me.

I was also told I had to oil my cuticles as they were dry, and bacteria and other bad stuff could get picked up at the hospital, and I wouldn't want that.

One of the guys has very long hair, and he has to put it into a bun on the top of his head. We have to wear socks that go halfway up to our knees, white shoes with no logos on them, all tatoos have to be covered completely, even if it means putting tape over them.

Some of the stuff we have to have in clinicals is a clipboard, bandage scissors, one of those pens with three colors of ink, stethascope, pencil, note pad, penlight, pocket calculator, a yellow highlighter, and a few other things I can't think of right now.

The clipboard that I and most of my class are using is one from Walmart that opens up and has a calculator on the top. It runs about $10 and is recommended because you can put papers that have patients names on them inside and no one will see them, ensuring patient confidentiality.

Today we had CPR training, earning our careprovider CPR cards that are good for two years. I don't know if thats the same in every state.

Now we are off for vacation for the next week, with plenty of homework of course. :angryfire

[Cinqly, BSN, RN]

I thought I would post a reply since I just finished my first week of nursing school!!!

Well, classes are (as expected) very fast paced and full of information. I totally underestimated the amount of reading that we actually need to cover for each unit, and have since been trying to catch up all week. Thank goodness for the labor day weekend!!! I feel like I have been in school for 3 weeks, and that I've known my new nursing friends forever!

As for clinical, I was in the hospital the second day of class!!! Our university throws us in there right away! I guess they just want us to get as much experience with patient care as possible. However, it is our responsibility to only do the things that we have been instructed to do as of that week (I'm sure we'll get on the nerves of the RN's the first few weeks with "I don't know how to do that"). We didn't actually do anything with patients, as we were mostly getting oriented to the floor (I'm on a cardiac floor). We may begin working with patients as soon as next week. According to what we've completed in skills lab and assessment, that means we'll just be talking nicely with the patient, changing linens, giving baths, and helping with urination/etc. But, that's fine with me!!! We need to know how to do everything, and I'm eager to get in there and get going!

Overall it's been very exhausting. I feel like there are not enough hours in the day to cover the material, let alone actually STUDY it! Plus, with so many classes it's difficult to get (and stay) organized. I hope to fall into a groove soon, because it's a short few weeks till the end of the month when testing begins!

Well, I hope everyone else is doing well, and I'm interested to hear stories of first day/first week experiences!

[lvnhopeful]

This is the start of our ninth week, and we had our first clinical experience today.

Basically all we did was go to the two senior facilities and get a guided tour. One of the places was very fancy, with chapels, several dining rooms, a chapel, and several cottages for those that needed little help with ADL's. There was a Alzheimers ward and wards with dementia patients. I have to say it was more than I would have ever expected. It was absolutely huge.

The second place was more in line with the convalescent hospitals I've seen and had relatives in. Kind of depressing after the first facility.

We will be working for 10 days (three days a week in each place from 6:15am to 1:30 pm with a half hour lunch and 20 minute break. There will also be a pre and post conference), in each facility passing meds and doing what I believe is similar work to CNA's. After all, we will be working with CNA's and should know what they do and help them when needed.

The two other days in the week we will still be in school and getting plenty of homework!

[lvnhopeful]

Something happened today that makes me kind of sad. I have been reading on the forum about how nurses can be rude to each other, but today the whole class experienced something of that nature. We have had our third clinical day, actually two if you don't count orientation to the senior facility we are working in. I start noticing that ALL the nurses in the facility have turned their name badges around so we don't know what their names are.

I really don't know what to make of it. The facility is new to the school and hasn't had students in before. A lot of the students have noticed stuff that we have been trained not to do, such as leaving the patients with their meds without watching them get taken, and a few other things that some of our teachers cringe at. I am wondering if they may have overheard some students commenting on it and don't want to be reported.

The teachers have said that every facility has their own way of doing things and we should watch and learn.

That may be a reason, but I am not sure. Has anyone else had a problem like this, or is there some other reason they are acting this way?:uhoh21:

[nclexwarrior]

Something happened today that makes me kind of sad. I have been reading on the forum about how nurses can be rude to each other, but today the whole class experienced something of that nature. We have had our third clinical day, actually two if you don't count orientation to the senior facility we are working in. I start noticing that ALL the nurses in the facility have turned their name badges around so we don't know what their names are.

I really don't know what to make of it. The facility is new to the school and hasn't had students in before. A lot of the students have noticed stuff that we have been trained not to do, such as leaving the patients with their meds without watching them get taken, and a few other things that some of our teachers cringe at. I am wondering if they may have overheard some students commenting on it and don't want to be reported.

The teachers have said that every facility has their own way of doing things and we should watch and learn.

That may be a reason, but I am not sure. Has anyone else had a problem like this, or is there some other reason they are acting this way?:uhoh21:

You are going to see a lot of things that will make you cringe in clinical. As for the nurses, you will run into a lot of good ones, and of course you will run into the bad apples. As for them turning thier name badges around, do they do that while in clients' rooms too. If they do, I beleive the Joint Commision would have a big problem with that.

And yes you should watch them and learn, but remember DO NOT pick up habits that could put the patient in danger. You will learn shortcuts, and they are fine, but if they put the patient in danger it is not worth it.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

lvnhopeful. . .well, i was wondering when something like this was going to come up. kind of reminds me of how children are protected by their parents, taught how to be good little citizens, then taken to their first days of school and see some things that shock them.

all i can say is that in the world of school you are being taught ideals. the real world is always something else. but don't for one minute think that when you saw nurses hiding their identities or leaving medications unattended at patient's bedsides that it was ok to do. it's not. some states have passed laws mandating that healthcare workers wear identification and it is never ok to leave medications at a bedside (i could tell you stories: one about a lady who took other people's meds, someone who choked on her meds that were left for her to take, and a nurse under my management who after two written disciplinary warnings for deliberately and defiantly continuing to do this had to be fired). it is a testiment to the less than stellar character and ethics of the people who do these kinds of things.

i worked in the world of long term care and the acute hospitals for many, many years and saw all that you talked about and much more. i made it my personal resolve not to be that kind of nurse. so, maybe i was a little more stressed out at work. maybe my toes were tapping a little faster as i waited for a dear, sweet soul to take their medication or on my feet a little longer tracking a person down to give them their medication because they weren't in their room. i had the satisfaction of knowing that i did the right thing. there was no way i was going to be laying at home in bed at night wondering whatever happened to that cup of meds i left at mrs. smith's bedside, if she got them, if someone else got them, if they were found by another nurse and i was going to get in trouble. who needs that? yet, there are nurses out there that do this and don't even give it a second thought. and, worse. . .don't even care about the consequences of doing stuff like this. they get like this because their personal ethics stink in the first place. these are the same people that won't stop at a stop sign where there is no traffic because they don't think anyone is looking. (how about you?)

you and each of your classmates has to make that personal contract with yourselves to not cut corners and to follow the rules of good nursing practice. and, you have to remind yourself of them every day. there will be times when you will be tempted to cut corners for the sake of saving time--and that's how bad habits start. that's how ethics get compromised. the only one who is initially going to police you on this is you. catching someone doing something wrong is an interesting thing. some get very remorseful indicating that they knew they were wrong in the first place. remorse is something the perpetrator feels not the victim.

[lvnhopeful]

Thanks for the support, its good to hear that what we are learning (in Class) is upheld by most nurses.

The topper for me was when one of the students mentioned that if we found meds on the floor at this place we were to give them back to the patient because they were counted. Hello, there!!!

One of the nurses told a student (that a chart that had NO CPR on the outside said full code written in within) that full code had nothing to do with trying life saving measures. I reviewed some charts and found multiple contradictions. This makes me really nervous.

I will never leave medicine for patients on their side table, or dispense soiled medications. We have had that hammered into us from the beginning, and I can't think that other students from my school would either.

Yes, it is a learning experience, one that I will remember in my school journal, and forever in my own mind. It will be interesting to see how our teachers react to this when we have our next classroom meeting.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

The topper for me was when one of the students mentioned that if we found meds on the floor at this place we were to give them back to the patient because they were counted. Hello, there!!!

Oh, good Grief! If that isn't lazy! There is a way to dispose of narcotics and counted medications and pull another dose. Let's not mention that someone should have been watching to see that those pills were taken in the first place! You know, one of the greatest thrills of my life (and this is probably not a good thing to admit) is when I became a manager and had to address the LPN who was leaving meds at patient's bedsides in the acute hospital unit I managed. I was really eager to see the look on her face and hear the excuses she was going to give me for doing it. She admitted to me that she knew it was wrong yet continued, after being disciplined, to do it again and again--and brag about it to coworkers. She had to be fired. She obviously had a behavior problem as well. How people like this get into nursing I'll never know.

One of the nurses told a student (that a chart that had NO CPR on the outside said full code written in within) that full code had nothing to do with trying life saving measures. I reviewed some charts and found multiple contradictions. This makes me really nervous.

One of the nursing homes I started working in had this same problem. As one of the charge nurses for one particular unit I made it my special project to get all the charts updated and old orders like that clarified and cleared out of the charts. It took about 6 months, but no one seemed willing to do it. I am an organizer. I incorporated it with the end of the month medication sheet changeover and order checks and by the time I left 2 years later the charts of my patients were in such good order that the state surveyors made special comment about them. It's doable, but it requires people on the job to go beyond just passing meds and getting treatments done.

I will never leave medicine for patients on their side table, or dispense soiled medications. We have had that hammered into us from the beginning, and I can't think that other students from my school would either.

I think that's a great attitude. However, as much as you would like to think that other's will do the same, unfortunately, some will fall prey to taking shortcuts.

[njitalgirl]

The school I will be attending is also 5 days a week. Thank you for this post - it was very enlightening. I guess my 3 boys, 2 dogs, 1 cat and husband will be eating cheerios for dinner for 15 months. Housework will just have to wait. Or even better - maybe the men of the family will chip in and do something, this may be positive not only for me becoming a nurse but for changing the spoiled people who live under my roof.

Thank you for such a detailed description.

[Mami.Nurse2B]

thank you for this thread. gained alot of knowledge from it.

[lvnhopeful]

Your welcome.

Since starting this thread I have finished school. Our last day was July 11th.

The most important lesson for me was that I am responsible for each and every decision I make, and that I need to be very careful, even when I think I know what I'm doing. So being familiar with procedures, assessments, and all skills is important. The best way to do that is to keep going over what you know. Ask questions, and research answers.

It was a long hard year. We learned that not every one does things the same way, and that may not be a bad thing. Making steps count is important also. There is a lot of things to do, and going back to get a syringe, washrag, whatever you need, causes lost time that you need to direct toward patient care.

There was stiff competition with RN students. Some thought that we were not as good as they, some were glad of our help. Same with the nurses on the floor. Some had no time for us, others bent over backward to help us learn.

Some of our instructors were helpful and some were challanging, one was just plain lazy and spent time in the cafeteria not answering pages.

From what I can see, its just like real life in some respects, there are nurses that do assessments as soon as they come on shift, and there are others that sit back and chart like they did.

Some students got blamed for stuff they didn't do. Other nurses covered little mistakes and incouraged us to try again.

The big thing is to keep plugging away at homework. Study hard, and don't miss any school unless there is a major catastrophy. Jump in when they ask for volunteers, do it first and often. Help your classmates at every opportunity and they will support you. It pays off in the end. Know that if you do that, you will succeed.

Good luck to all of you students starting out. My hat is off to you as you go through the coming year of hard work. You can do it and you will succeed.

NCLEX next!