Greater Lowell Tech

U.S.A. Massachusetts

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Hi all,

I am new to this site and new to nursing - hopefully! I am applying to the LPN program at GL Tech evening division. Is anyone else here going or has gone to that program? I am taking the NET in June (the last test date) and I just ordered study materials. I have to pass it because it is the last time they offer it!!! I am 40yrs old and completely changing my career so I am hoping I am not the oldest in the program if I get in. So send out a hello if you are going to the program at Lowell Tech.

Thanks

Susan

Specializes in CV Surgical, ICU.

Just trying to keep my mind fresh, going through pathology, common meds.. etc I know that may prove to be the hardest! How about you? If you do inquire, do let me know, the anticipation is killing me!! :D

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Hi Ladies,

Just thought I would touch base before I head out to class. I have a test today and I needed a break from studying so I thought I would check in.

If you want to get ahead on anything I would suggest getting familiar with some of the common meds and trying to get familiar with their trade names and their generic names. Also, a basic A&P book would be good to read and get a little bit of a head start. It is really hard to get ahead before the classes begin. There are so many people with different college degree's that are going back to school for a new career and they also find it difficult. If you could take a Nutrition class or growth and development before school starts that will allow you to not have to sit for these classes. Umm... what else.....im a bit stressed over my pharm test today but scored well on my two tests yesterday! :)

The packet doesn't come until maybe June or July I forget which. Even when you get the books you can look over them but then when you start you wont necessarily start on chapter 1.

Enjoy the excitement you are feeling now and take some time for yourself and your families. I remember that feeling that I wanted to get a head start and thats great but other than taking a class I don't think you can do anything to prepare.

Good luck to everyone, I remember the excitement I felt when I went and got my scubs and my book list came..very exciting time for you all! Prepare for the expense of the books also! Very expensive maybe around $800-900! Yikes

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Specializes in CV Surgical, ICU.

Thank you for the tips! :)

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Sawyer! Congrats on getting in!!!!!!!! That is just wonderful! ok so its een crazzzzyyy and i totally know what you mean about the books and wanting to know and just want to be ahead of the game when getting in to it but ya as someone already said you dont start on chapter 1 it is all over the place anyways i know we cant discuss here i dont think about books but if you would like please you are more than welcome to email me about that..

ok well gotta run have a great day!!!!! and again sawyer congrats!!!!!!!!!!!

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Thanks for the tips Meant2be....if you have any more please post!!!!

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JMARIE!!!!! How are you....I never thought we would hear from you til the program was over!!!! How are you doing? Thanks for the congrats...I am psyched! I have forty-two billion questions for you so I'll send them in an email.....not all forty-two billion tho!:) Mostly my questions are about the daily schedule of the program, if the material is really hard or just so abundant, how are the clinicals & classes, etc. I'll shoot you an email. Good luck and please pop your head in here every so often - did you ever get to meet keke?

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hey send any questions you want!! i know i desperately wanted to know a ton of stuff before diving in...unfortunately we lost a lot of people already and keke being one of them... :( I took a day off from work but ive been going 7 days a week minimum 8 hours a day but mainly 13 hours a day its insane... but ya please by all means ill answer anything youd like... i do have to add i will reply as soon as i can! After today the next 3 weeks are going to be absolutely insane... good lord...hahh ok well in the meantime to keep you busy id say learn about the endocrine system! Learn the hormones and what each does..what happens with each hormone when you dont have enough of it and what happens when you have too much..that will help soOOOoo much term 2...that should keep you busy hahaha ok i gotta run i have sooOOooo much studying to do....

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Specializes in Nursing Assistant.

Hola Ladies!! Sorry I havent been on in sooo long!! Seems like I missed a few things but I am all caught up now lol. So my interview at Greater Lowell is Tuesday Feb 9th and my CNA test in Monday Feb. 8th!!! I am so ready for both of them. I got all my references (one being from my CNA instructor) the other two from my old supervisor and current supervisor at my hospital job. Resume is updated and letter of intent is ready. I think I might leave the college transcript out and just add the courses that I took to my resume. I'm starting to get a little anxious reading these posts about the intensity of the program. Its definitely not gonna stop my excitement though!! :D

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Hi Ladies,

We (day students) have also lost a few people but have gained one person from the night program and one person that didn't finish last year and came back.

This week is crazy we have presetations to do as well as a few tests. I am looking forward to the break next week and hopefully I can get caught up on my reading!

Jmarie~ good advice

Any questions I will do my best to answer as I check in here.

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Hi all, yes this is the hardest thing I have ever done. As far as what to learn before hand, I could not even give you a hint. I wish personally I had learned the drug classes and basic information. The second term is completely different than the first. I assume that the third is going to be to be just as different. Please don't think that you can work and do this, especially during the second term. Those that do are struggling. Other than that take the vacations and do all your reports, don't think of it as a break. good luck all.

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Ladi - how'd it go? Thinking good thoughts for you

GLTech - I was wondering about vacations and holidays - do you follow the high school schedule or do you have classes on the normal holidays? Also, what about snow days - worrying about that already since I live 45 min away. Why is it the hardest thing you've ever done - because of the sheer volume of material or is the info just really hard? I am panicing already.

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Hi,

We follow the school schedule for GLT so we are off this week. We also follow their schedule for snow days.

I graduated from college and it wasn't as difficult as this program. I think it is because it is so excellerated. I thought the first term was managable but tough. Now second term it is just plain hard. In a four or two year college the pace is just slower. All most all of the classes this term we are required to get a 77 average. That doesn't sound hard but when you are trying to study pharmacology it is like a different language. I think that as of right now a lot of people are failing it. Even if you get an average of 76 you still fail the class and need to come back next year. No exceptions and no extra credit.

I think time management is important and everynight you are really studying for three or more hours. Once you go in and take your test on Thursday you are just mentally moving on to what is next. They stress to us to take thirty minutes to ourselves and do something we enjoy but it is really hard between family and school.

Its do able but it is intense. I have heard from people that have continued on that their RN program wasn't as hard because it wasn't so intense.

I would suggest just taking it day by day and find what works best for you. Some people study in groups, that doesn't work for me. I do flashcards, that works for me but others don't like them. Many people in the day program record the lecture and listen to it when driving to and from school. I don't have a recorder but may invest in one soon. The lectures are so so long that it is hard for anyone to stay focused for three hours on one topic.

I spoke with keke (she is in the day program now). She transferred from nights to days because her daughter was having trouble only seeing her in the am before school.

I guess after writting all this is that it is really just mentally tough! It is hard week after week giving it your all and hoping for a passing test grade. No one feels 100% safe, anyone of us could have a bad test grade and that could be the end of the line if we only have 5 test in that class.

I know this is all over the place but I hope it helps somewhat. Just be prepared for the hardest experience and then if it is not too bad then your doing okay!

Enjoy your time off:)

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