What to expect in LPN training?

ssmiley · Oct 3, 2005

I think I start school after everyone else. My orientation begins Oct 10 and classes start Oct 18. This is a second career for me and I am starting to get nervous. :uhoh21:
I decided to do this because I remember the nurses that have helped me. During my many years of IF and multiple miscarriage they were always there to help me through it. The compassion and support was what kept me going. I want to be able to provide that for someone else. There are other reasons also - I am tired of being tied to a desk. I am tired of having my jobs outsourced. The list goes on...
My goal is to be an RN. While researching and enrolling for prereqs, I ended up getting an opportunity that I cannot pass up. I was hired by a local hospital who is going to pay me to go to school to be an LPN. So, now I will not be starting my prereqs until after LPN training.
Anyway - the point of my post - I was wondering what to expect in LPN training? How in depth are most programs? Will I really have 3-4 hours of homework every night or do they just try to scare you? What is a typical day at school like?
I have a zillion questions. I am really getting nervous and excited. I am so afraid that I will go on the 10th and they will say "what are you doing here? we decided on someone else". I know this is silly. I already have my student id and have done the hospital physical. Still, I will feel better after I get there and they let me stay.
I'm a mess Thanks for letting me vent.
Brandy

Brandy, It is okay, I think taht will all go through that. I have been out of high school for 10 years and recently went back to school. I started LVN school in August and it is exactly like everyone tells you. The first three classes I have are Anatomy and Physiology and Basic Nursing Skills, and Personal and Vocational relationships. The last two are basically just listening to the lecture and BNS is hands on skills labs also. ANATOMY is not as detailed as a normal college level anatomy but it is very fast paced( I am in a 1 year program). We have quizzes EVERY day and we will be done on October 17 and will have gone through EVERYTHING in the book which is 21 chapters. So yep they were all right, you will be studying ALL the time. Don't want to scare ya, but think of the outcome, it will all pay off in the end.

Shanna

TashaLPN2006RN2012, ASN, RN · Oct 4, 2005

Hi! no advice for you, but i'm glad you asked this question... i start LPN school in Dec and will graduate in Dec 06 so i'm pretty nervous too! just wanted to say good luck, and if you need anyone to complain to or e-mail study with i'm here!

tasha

UnderpaidNurse · Oct 4, 2005

Brandy, It is okay, I think taht will all go through that. I have been out of high school for 10 years and recently went back to school. I started LVN school in August and it is exactly like everyone tells you. The first three classes I have are Anatomy and Physiology and Basic Nursing Skills, and Personal and Vocational relationships. The last two are basically just listening to the lecture and BNS is hands on skills labs also. ANATOMY is not as detailed as a normal college level anatomy but it is very fast paced( I am in a 1 year program). We have quizzes EVERY day and we will be done on October 17 and will have gone through EVERYTHING in the book which is 21 chapters. So yep they were all right, you will be studying ALL the time. Don't want to scare ya, but think of the outcome, it will all pay off in the end.
Shanna

I"ve just finished up my first four months of an intensive one year LPN program. YOU CAN DO It!!!! Especially if its being paid for you. A&P is intense because it is so condensed but its not unmanageable and just look at it as a good foundation if you want to go on to RN school and have to take regular a&p. Just remember the outcome and ask for help when you need it...its amazing how helpful the teachers really are. Good luck, I passed the first A&P with a b because I am also working fulltime, but everything else, if you have commen sense and study will be easier because what you learn in a&p makes sense. I ended up on the Deans list and am eligable(sp?) for the ANAhonors list.( don't know if that helps with anything other than making my husband feel better about me not working full time)

!:rotfl:

Dan's Sunshine · Oct 4, 2005

Thank you for the advice and support. I am so glad I found this site. I am going to try to forget about school and just enjoy my family this week. :)

Brandy

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2005

Let me assure you that what is going to happen on your 10th day is what is listed on your class syllabus! :rotfl: Once you're in the program, you're in, unless you do something so incredibly stupid or dangerous that they force you out. They'll tell you what those things are on your first day of class.

I can't speak for the LPN programs as I went through RN school. My mom, however, was an LPN. I do believe she used to say that the LPNs had to put in more clinical time than the RNs. I think it only seemed that way because the LPN program was 11 months long compared to 4 semesters of the RN program, so our clinical hours were spread out over a longer period of time.

Get a good night's sleep before your first class. Get a book bag with wheels so you don't have to lug a bunch of thick, heavy textbooks around. Your first day will be interesting and probably fun! As for the hours of study. . .nothing in this world comes easy as I'm sure you already know from your experiences with IF. It is the perseverance that gets you through.