For those of you who started Aug. 25

I made another thread about how tough it is, but I wonder if the programs are not all quite a bit different. Someone I know in a program elsewhere that I discussed specifics with was still chomping at the bit to get to the "knitty gritty" of the course when I was already freaking out over my first exam grade.

My class took the PAX test as our entrance requirement (so we all had to be pretty much on our game just to get in... in every 20-30 that took the test, only 2-3 passed w/ the min 80 required). I got a 99 on it.

On our first quiz, we all did alright. One person got a 101 (we had some bonus questions) and the rest of us got mostly 90's. On our first exam, NOBODY got an A. Nobody in the 20 of us that are in the class got higher than a 92. About half dozen people failed.

Clinicals are not for another 7 weeks but our labs (basically the precursor for our clinicals) are a bit nervewracking, but just because our clinicals teacher is a bit intimidating (we have two groups split up for two different clinicals teachers) I messed up one of our most simple things because I was nervous, but now that I've started to get to know my classmates and see my teacher on a daily basis its getting much easier.

I made another thread about how tough it is, but I wonder if the programs are not all quite a bit different. Someone I know in a program elsewhere that I discussed specifics with was still chomping at the bit to get to the "knitty gritty" of the course when I was already freaking out over my first exam grade.

My class took the PAX test as our entrance requirement (so we all had to be pretty much on our game just to get in... in every 20-30 that took the test, only 2-3 passed w/ the min 80 required). I got a 99 on it.

On our first quiz, we all did alright. One person got a 101 (we had some bonus questions) and the rest of us got mostly 90's. On our first exam, NOBODY got an A. Nobody in the 20 of us that are in the class got higher than a 92. About half dozen people failed.

Clinicals are not for another 7 weeks but our labs (basically the precursor for our clinicals) are a bit nervewracking, but just because our clinicals teacher is a bit intimidating (we have two groups split up for two different clinicals teachers) I messed up one of our most simple things because I was nervous, but now that I've started to get to know my classmates and see my teacher on a daily basis its getting much easier.

Our first 2 exams were the first week of school. And most everyone did well and they had to because you have to make an 80 or better. We are doing stuff like anatomy and micro, most if not everyone in the class has taken those classes already so alot of it is review. I usually don't do well on tests but I have found a study method that works for me and I found that if you read something, anything everyday it can help tremendously. Our instructors also gives us BluesClues which helps to know what to study. They make the course material interesting so you will want to study. It's not cookie-cutter easy but it's not Albert Einstein hard either:D I read another post can't remember if it was you but they had studied all week for a test and what they studied was barely on the test. Thats the reason they give us those. They dont want us wasting time going over stuff we dont need although they do stress its important but if its not on the test then dont study it. That cuts my study time way down and I am able to work on other subjects. I really think our instructors are what's keeping us sane. I know becoming a nurse isn't supposed to be easy but it doesn't have to be insanely hard either. I am really greatful for the school I attend especially hearing so many horror stories.

The difficult part about LPN school is time management which IMO is one of the ultimate downfalls because if you dont prioritize it's seems like you never get anything done. Some ppl ask me how can I take time to go out on Saturday nite or spend a couple hours surfing the net. Its because I plan my time and I never feel like I didnt study enough because I didnt have time. Now I know its only been 2 weeks and I will be eating my words soon but I stick by that.

I dont think we've gotten down to the knitty gritty either. I am ready to get into the hardcore nursing stuff. Like clinicals and ours isnt til the last week of the semester. We are working mostly on fundamentals and foundations and we just started med terms, abbreviations and vocab. We are picking up speed tho.

Thanks for posting folks... for those of us about to start this month it really helps to give us much needed insight on what to expect from day 1.

:)

hello everyone!!!! i also started on aug 25th and ive already has two tests! one in med term and the other in math. (got a 96 on both!!!!) i haven't really found nursing school that hard,but i think i might be eating my words also. i have three tests next week in math, a&p and nursing fundamentals so i will be studying all week. i refuse to get anything below a 90. good luck to everyone in the program!!!ill be updating next week

I started the 25th and we have not tested yet. We have our first clinical check off next Friday. It will be hand washing, PPE, putting on TED stockings, doing slip knots for restraints, taking our sutures and staples, applying ace bandages, and applying a dressing to a wound.

Our first exam will be a midterm in health assessment which is week after next.

The most difficult part for me is how to study. They keep telling us this is not like any of our the other classes we had had. I am doing the study guide book for fundamentals. They just now have our lecture recordings posted so I will spend the weekend reviewing some lectures.

I think my nerves will settle down a bit after we start working in smaller groups with the instructors. Right now we are in a large lecture hall with 325 students.

I know I am exhausted tired.

I feel like we've been in school longer. I am adjusted to the new schedule. We have only taken one quiz so far. This week we missed three days, one for Labor Day and two for the hurricane. My teacher sometimes moves slow in things, but she actually finished up quickly today with A&P so we have our first test in that Tuesday. Then a quiz and another test in something next week as well. I read most of the stuff during the summer, but I still have a couple chapters to read and take notes on. I ordered my stethoscope today, I'm excited!

I am surviving......I think.

i also started on aug 25th, and my first couple of weeks have definately been hectic. we have 2 quiz's a week. i scored 100 on first quiz, and on my med term quiz i scored 96. this week, i have 3 tests. i have a test in a&p, nursing, med term. also we test out on our clinicals, which is bed baths, making an occupied bed, handwashing, rom, proper alignment.... i'm nervous about the clinical tests. we practiced on our classmates yesterday, and i forgot to do a lot of things. so far, it hasnt been that bad. but i know the worst is yet to come. hang in there everyone. the hard work will pay off!!!

we just had our first unit exam in fundamentals of nursing over the basics (nursing process, etc). all the questions were NCLEX style, which i could almost always narrow the answers down from four to two...then it was trying to figure out which one was the "most right".

if your test is the same, go with your first instinct, and try not to change your answers. :) good luck!

I've had like, 0234032480 tests so far. lol I've lost track I'd have to check my calendar to see exactly how many, but last week alone we had 6. Somehow I've gotten above 90 on all but one, which devestated me. We've already been tested on medical terminology and abbreviations numerous times, to the point that we can read an order or script perfectly...or else oO ha.

I've learned now why graduate nurses are so terrified of the NCLEX.

;/

I'm already there and it's been only 4 weeks.

One more thing...

This morning our fundamentals teacher..who is so so amazing and wonderful by the way...said this:

'it's week 3. I told you by now somebody would be sick. 2 of you are desperately ill and god bless you, you're still here. You're overwhelmed, probably stopped studying and have told more than one of your instructors to silently go to hell. That's normal. You aren't alone. I always hear that during nursing school you're supposed to tell your families goodbye. That's a lie. We're here for you, we love you, and we know that life doesn't stop because you chose to become a nurse. Don't believe that lie. Take a deep breath and drink lots of water and hot tea, we won't let you fail.'

I don't ever cry. ever. But that just about did me in. She's a big stern lady, so for her to somehow know exactly what I've been feeling, and to tell me it's going to be o.k., really really helped me.

Hello,

So we have had 2 tests already and one more tomorrow, this is for Med-Surg 1. I think its going good so far, I got 93% on both test, (missed A by one point). So heres hoping tomorrow will be better. This is the only class, I have right now until 10/21/08 then we start our fisrt clinical at a LTC. So Im really nervous for that to start. Hope that helps.

Ella