classes and clinicals

I am sure each school could be different but here is the way our program is -

We started out with classes 5 days per week from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm

On the 8th week we started clinicals - classes were on Monday, Tuesday and Friday (still 8:00 - 3:30) with clinicals being on Wednesday and Thursdays from 7:00 am - 3:00 pm

This same clinical schedule is what we will start the second semester with next week - 3 days of classes and 2 days of clinicals - I have been told that 3rd semester we will be doing clinicals 3 days and classes 2 days but not positive on that - Also I believe the clinical hours will change when we go to the hospital instead of the LTC facility here in about 4 or 5 weeks

As far as what to expect during clinicals - you never know so expect anything - lol - Anything can come up at any time - (Just a hint tho - At first don't be real surprised if you get the pleasure of changing a bed or two and the opportunity to clean up a few incontinent patients )

First level, we had clinicals Mon-Tues, and class Wed-Fri...our clinicals were in a LTCF. Basically, it was strictly "basic care", plenty of bed baths, changing incontinent residents, doing assessments.

Second Level, clinicals from Mon-Wed, class Thurs-Fri...these clinicals are on a med/surg unit. Now, we're doing more LPN duties but still doing basic care as well for the 1-2 pts we're assigned. However, lots of times, your pt is discharged after the first day...which means you have to pick more.

Third level, we're back to a LTCF...doing LPN duties, as opposed to the CNA duties we were doing on First Level.

In all instances, you have to do thorough research on the resident/pts diagnosis, surgical hx, come up with care plans, and research their meds.

Good Luck!!!!