Happy Dance-LPN Program

That's great! Congrats!

I'm 10 weeks into my 18 month long LVN program and I love it. The first 7 weeks ("bootcamp") were VERY busy as we were getting ready for clinicals, which meant tons of tests and skills check-offs, but now that we've been at our sites for four weeks things have definitely calmed down.

My advice is to stay on top of your reading and be prepared to hit the ground running. Things move very fast!

Good luck to you!

Yes! I've been told to be prepared. This one is a 46 week course, 5 days/week. It moves very fast, after 3 months we start clinicals x3 days/wk. I read the letter describing what we are supposed to do before starting and on the first day and I'm finished with most of it (even some of the first day stuff). I purchased nearly all my books from a former student for cut price (I checked editions and they're the right ones), had a lot of the medical supplies I need already at the house, and bought two sets of scrubs that I will wash and rotate.

I am psyching myself out about the class, my previous endeavors included a bout in pre-engineering classes, the Calculus I was able to feel my way through but the physics was a nightmare. Hours of class time plus 40hrs/week homework (because I struggled so horribly). I'm going to equate nursing school with that so I'm not taken by surprise!

Sounds like you're all set!

I've never taken physics so I have no basis for comparison but that sounds just awful.

When do you start your program?

It was absolutely brutal.

Orientation is Nov 10th, class start is Nov 14th. I'm going down this morning to register for classes.

Congratulations!!!

Congrats!! Did you hear back from Chipola?

Congrats on your decision! Your path will lead you to much success! I wish you the best of luck. Please update on how it's going, thanks!

I did! I got into all three, Chipola's letter was received about a week after I heard back from Haney. Gulf Coast called me for an alternate position, but I had already accepted at Haney and politely declined.

It's terrifying, tbh. You HAVE to stay on your game, class is from 7:30-2:10 (will go to 2:25 in Jan 17), and we spend about 3-4 hours after class lets out working on reading the chapters, doing objectives and workbooks, and going over rationales to prepare for the next days tests over the subjects. The good news is the program had a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-PN this past graduation, so this hustling we're doing now will surely pay off. We've only lost one student so far, but I'm afraid it will be more soon enough because of the time limitations on taking off classes and the grade requirements for each segment. I'm looking forward to starting clinicals in February/March. I find myself on this site more often than not asking the questions I don't want to ask in class about things that seemingly are common knowledge to nurses (why wear compression hose? what is a 'step down' unit? what is it like working at ____ hospital?), lol. Will post more later when I know more.

Just found out I got accepted into the LVN program right after thanksgiving! I'm starting soon also in a few weeks! (Jan 17) So exciting! congrats and good luck to you!

Yay! Congrats! It's definitely been a challenge but it will be worth it! Good luck to you too!!

We lost another student this week. I really have no idea what went on, but after some snide remarks to the professor in the classroom, she gathered her books up, got in a loud conversation with the other professors and walked out. Haven't seen her again.

We started a new segment today, Nutrition. 3 chapters, 6 tests, no room for slacking or failure. Worried about a few of the grades I saw on the posted grade board, but I don't know who's they are nor do I have the ability or spare time to help. I'm doing ok keeping my head above water so far, getting to know who's who in the class, who will have your back and who will throw you in front of the bus, that kind of thing.

The new schedule came out as well (the program supervisor does them once a month about two weeks in advance of the new month), found out we have hospital orientation on the 6th of February and start clinicals after that on the 21st. I'm pretty nervous about that, but I think we'll do fine. That will have to be my update as I don't know much more yet.