Help! I'm having serious difficulty adjusting to LPN school

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So far the work isn't that hard but the atmosphere sucks...I didn't expect an adult education program to be so high school-ish. There are a group of girls in my class who are constantly gossiping and speading rumors. Actually, I shouldn't call them "girls". The average age in our program is about twenty-five so, really, these are grown women who are acting like this which makes it even worse. Also, adminstration has a bunch of rules that don't make sense and that they only enforce selectively. For example, we aren't allowed drink beverages in class. One day the instructor will make somebody who has a cup of coffee leave the room. Then the next day there will be students sipping on lattes in class and nothing is said. I'm trying to ignore the gossip and not be offended by the faculty but its getting more annoying every day. This is so not what I signed up for! Does anybody have any suggestion on how to deal?

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Yes be strong!!!!! you will get so used to the BS. People are going to gossip until the day we leave this world hun. As long as you stay focused on what you are there for and dont get involved in petty things you will be okay. Yeah they have harsh rules about eating or drinking in class..just take some water...they cant deny you that. You will encounter different characters everywhere you go..even when you go to work in your field. I have been through this same adjustment phase just like you and thought I was going to burst. Just always be friendly and dont ever let anyone think they got the best of you. If people talk about you...SO WHAT! Focus on those books and tests lol. Always think of graduation day...that seems to help too. Even if you find someone in particular or even the instructors to be annoying...just dont say anything you would regret. Silence is golden...it is okay to make suggestions maybe but never get carried away or come out of character...big brother is watching(thats what they called the coordinator)

all that side talking people do in class just stay focused on the teacher..communicate at lunch time lol. I was always quiet but my ears were open.

Good Luck...remain calm and peaceful. Nothing wrong with a little prayer...if thats your thing to do. I always did it and it got me through.

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So far the work isn't that hard but the atmosphere sucks...I didn't expect an adult education program to be so high school-ish. There are a group of girls in my class who are constantly gossiping and speading rumors. Actually, I shouldn't call them "girls". The average age in our program is about twenty-five so, really, these are grown women who are acting like this which makes it even worse. Also, adminstration has a bunch of rules that don't make sense and that they only enforce selectively. For example, we aren't allowed drink beverages in class. One day the instructor will make somebody who has a cup of coffee leave the room. Then the next day there will be students sipping on lattes in class and nothing is said. I'm trying to ignore the gossip and not be offended by the faculty but its getting more annoying every day. This is so not what I signed up for! Does anybody have any suggestion on how to deal?

Boy, sounds like we are taking the same program! Just kidding. However, it just goes to show that the situation you described in your program is similiar to others programs as well.

The only advice I can give is forgot the gossip and petty rules. You will deal with stuff like this no matter where you go for the rest of your life. Just concentrate on your studies and your future as an LPN. That is what I'm doing. I really don't care what anyone else in my class says. They don't define me, I do. As I once read somewhere "he who angers you, conquers you". Don't let anyone do that.

Take Care,

Marci

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Specializes in LTC.
So far the work isn't that hard but the atmosphere sucks...I didn't expect an adult education program to be so high school-ish. There are a group of girls in my class who are constantly gossiping and speading rumors. Actually, I shouldn't call them "girls". The average age in our program is about twenty-five so, really, these are grown women who are acting like this which makes it even worse. Also, adminstration has a bunch of rules that don't make sense and that they only enforce selectively. For example, we aren't allowed drink beverages in class. One day the instructor will make somebody who has a cup of coffee leave the room. Then the next day there will be students sipping on lattes in class and nothing is said. I'm trying to ignore the gossip and not be offended by the faculty but its getting more annoying every day. This is so not what I signed up for! Does anybody have any suggestion on how to deal?

Wow. Everything that you described sounds just like the LPN program that I was enrolled in, except that the average age was about 35 lol. I mean these women were extremely catty, always whispering and starting drama. Ugh, I hated it! We also had some rules, such as no cell phones in class, but they only enforced when they felt like it. Maybe you can alert administration as to the unfair treatment. As for you, Keep your head up and don't let anyone bring you down. Just 'keep your eyes on the prize' so to speak. Envision yourself graduating from your program and walking outta there with your head held high. Good luck! :)

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Specializes in Dialysis.

yep, sounds like my program too.

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Hey everybody! I just wanted to check back in on this post and say thanks to you guys for your words of wisdom and encouragement. It helps to know that I'm not the only one in this situation. It's easy to get discouraged when you feel all alone. I hope that the problems that I'm experiencing right now aren't a sign of things to come. Hopefully, the nurses and administrators that I'll be working with when I start my career are more mature and professional than the students and teachers that I'm coming into contact with in this program. The funny thing is that until recently I had never even considered becoming an LPN. I had been taking pre-req's towards an ADN at my local community college. Unfortunately, when I applied to the AD program I got wait listed. So I decided to become an LPN in the meantime. My plan is to get the LPN certificate first and then go on an RN program. I thought that the environment at LPN school would be similar that at the community college where I was taking my prereq's. Little did I know that I was in for an unpleasant surprise! But I'm already there and I don't want to leave and start over at another school....so I'm going to do my best to just keep my mouth shut and not get caught up in any foolishness. The good thing about this program is that its short. God willing, next year this time I'll be a:nurse: and this will all be just a bad memory!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Yes, just hang in there, do your own thing and get through it! I HATED my LPN program. In hindsight my education was excellent but it was all the politics, the disorganization, the way the instructors tip-toed around certain students who really should have been dismissed etc. It was an eye opening experience to say the least. As it turns out my RN class is totally different. I was prepared to hate it again and just muddle through but it has been really nice...at least as nice as being owned by nursing school can be, lol. The students are motivated, the instructors treat everyone fairly equal and its just a nicer atmosphere, imo.

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Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.

Sounds like the program I went through....There were clix galore, and faculty that also played favorites.....esp 1st level instructor that had a thing for a certian "ethnicity" and they could get away with murder....

My advise is that this is your education, try not to let this stuff bother you get through it and be the best nurse you can be. This is your life and education. If they want to play jr high or high school games then let them throw thier education down the toilet. You will be the one at graduation.

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esp 1st level instructor that had a thing for a certian "ethnicity" and they could get away with murder....

Stuff like this is really sad because its so unfair and just plain wrong. How do they get away with that in this day and age?

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Wow, sounds like my school too! Do hang in there though. We just hit our 1 year anniversary and I must admit most of the "Gossip Girls" have slowly faded away. Either they dropped out on their own, or got kicked out due to poor grades. I must say, nursing school is so tough it seems to naturally seperate the wheat from the chaff!:yeah:

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Specializes in Various.

It is a very difficult adjustment. I think every single student in my LPN Program has cried at some point from the stress and frustration.

Just don't get involved any more than you have to. Be polite. Do your homework and learn as much as you can. You are paying for an education and that is what you should be getting.

Good luck. I realize how hard it is. I am 10 weeks from graduation, and I still wonder if I am going to make it through some days.

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Let me tell you it is the same everywhere you go! I will be finished in 4 weeks and there were many times I questioned if I really wanted to stay due to the attitudes of others, but one day I just sat and thought about it and came to this " I came here not knowing these people, these people dont care if I make it or not, and I wanted to do this all of my life!" towards the end of your program you will see that it was worth it, and to top it all off people that are always out to hurt others will never make it in the real world! They may pass the tests in school, they may even make it past the NCLEX but they will never make it in the real world. So just remember you are doing this for yourself and no-one else! Best of luck and keep your head held high!

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