I started LPN school today!

kwalrn · Jan 7, 2008

Congratulations Marci! I can remember when I first started LPN school, I was so excited. I am now an RN, BSN inspiring to become a CRNA. I always like to encourage and motivate people who are inspiring to become nurses. LPN's will always have a special place in my heart because that was the foundation of where I started and I also taught in an LPN program. I think LPN's make strong nurses in that there are alot of skills that are taught and learned. I also worked in L&D for years but now I am in the ICU gaining experience for CRNA school. But now the fun begins for you. Remember to stay focus and on top of things because it is alot of information to gain in so little time. I wish you the very best of luck and again congratulations!

kwalrn

Well, I made a promise to myself that I would post my experiences once I start LPN school so any potential student would know exactly "what it is like". Before I give you the run down of day 1 of my program, let me give you a little background on me and my program.
First, I'm 31, married, and the mother to four children ages 12, 8, 4, and 1. I'm taking a part time LPN program that alternates between 2-3 days a week for 22 months.
Well, I had class today from 8 to 2:30. The first hour or so we just went over the school handbook. We talked about absences, that you had to maintain an 80% to pass the course, uniforms, clinical experiences, etc. After that, we hit the books.
We are using the Foundations of Nursing book by Christensen. We covered chapter 1 today in class. Our teacher elaborated on the stuff she thought was really important about the history of nursing and just skimmed the stuff that wasn't that important. We started to work on chapter two (Legal Aspects in Nursing) and we watched a short video about patient rights. That took us until shortly after our lunch break.
From 1 to 2:30 we worked on medical terminology and important abbreviations we needed to know for nursing. At the end of class, we were told we would have a quiz just about every day. The quizes can be (on average), from 1 to 5 questions. So, I really have to study tonight.
Well, I have class both Tuesday and Wednesday as well this week. If I get a chance, I'll give all of you aspiring LPN students a run down as to what we did.
I hope this helps someone out there considering going to an LPN program. I know I always wanted to know "exactly what they did all day during an LPN program"!
--Marci

mrsraisinkain · Jan 8, 2008

Marci, Thank you so much for sharing!! I am starting LPN school in April and even though it's months away, I'm so excited. I'll look forward to reading about your experiences! Best wishes to you.

mgalloLPN · Jan 8, 2008

Well, I made a promise to myself that I would post my experiences once I start LPN school so any potential student would know exactly "what it is like". Before I give you the run down of day 1 of my program, let me give you a little background on me and my program.
First, I'm 31, married, and the mother to four children ages 12, 8, 4, and 1. I'm taking a part time LPN program that alternates between 2-3 days a week for 22 months.
Well, I had class today from 8 to 2:30. The first hour or so we just went over the school handbook. We talked about absences, that you had to maintain an 80% to pass the course, uniforms, clinical experiences, etc. After that, we hit the books.
We are using the Foundations of Nursing book by Christensen. We covered chapter 1 today in class. Our teacher elaborated on the stuff she thought was really important about the history of nursing and just skimmed the stuff that wasn't that important. We started to work on chapter two (Legal Aspects in Nursing) and we watched a short video about patient rights. That took us until shortly after our lunch break.
From 1 to 2:30 we worked on medical terminology and important abbreviations we needed to know for nursing. At the end of class, we were told we would have a quiz just about every day. The quizes can be (on average), from 1 to 5 questions. So, I really have to study tonight.
Well, I have class both Tuesday and Wednesday as well this week. If I get a chance, I'll give all of you aspiring LPN students a run down as to what we did.
I hope this helps someone out there considering going to an LPN program. I know I always wanted to know "exactly what they did all day during an LPN program"!
--Marci

Marci,

Thanks a ton for sharing this. I start LPN school on January 16 which is 9 days from now. I am a little scared. I don't really know what to expect. I just want to be able to keep up with everything. I am married - almost 2 years - and have 2 cats. So if you can do it, I can too! Congrats to us both and to everyone else.

L&D_2b · Jan 8, 2008

Well, it's day two of my program and all I can say is AWWWWWWWW:uhoh3:

We are literally covering a chapter a day. It didn't seem so bad yesterday, but today sent me over the edge. You have to learn so much info in so little time. Not hard stuff, just a lot of stuff.

Today we spent from 8:30 to our lunch break (11:00) on Legal Aspects of Nursing. After lunch we watched two videos on domestic violence and the need to report. Then we studied some med terms. Doesn't seem like a great deal, but it was enough info to boggle our minds. And tonight we have to absorb chapter 3 and be prepared for a quiz on it in the morning.

I'm only part time and I don't know how all of you full timers did it.

Well, off to study. I just wanted to give you the run down on todays events.

--Marci

mgalloLPN · Jan 9, 2008

Well, it's day two of my program and all I can say is AWWWWWWWW:uhoh3:
We are literally covering a chapter a day. It didn't seem so bad yesterday, but today sent me over the edge. You have to learn so much info in so little time. Not hard stuff, just a lot of stuff.
Today we spent from 8:30 to our lunch break (11:00) on Legal Aspects of Nursing. After lunch we watched two videos on domestic violence and the need to report. Then we studied some med terms. Doesn't seem like a great deal, but it was enough info to boggle our minds. And tonight we have to absorb chapter 3 and be prepared for a quiz on it in the morning.
I'm only part time and I don't know how all of you full timers did it.
Well, off to study. I just wanted to give you the run down on todays events.
--Marci

You are a lifesaver! Thank you so much for doing this! I like knowing what to expect. Yesterday was my orientation and they told us that the first 3-4 months will be very tough because of all the information and after those months are over, it will be easy. I know they do it to "weed" out the ones that aren't dedicated and things like that. I am ready and nervous at the same time. Were you scared the first day? They told us we will have a test every day and that there are no makeup tests those first 3 - 4 months. Let us know how you do on the quiz. They said the first day will be easy but we will have homework that night and then it all starts.

:roll

mrsraisinkain · Jan 9, 2008

Wow, that does sound like a really busy day. I know it doesn't sound like much when you say it out loud, but I realize you covered a lot of material in just your first 2 days. Med term is enough to drive you to the looney bin by itself! Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to share. I am anxious to start school myself. I meet with financial aid later today to finalize my loans for school and then all I have to do is wait until April. Hearing your experience will help me be a little more confident for my own classes.

MAmom81 · Jan 9, 2008

Well, I made a promise to myself that I would post my experiences once I start LPN school so any potential student would know exactly "what it is like". Before I give you the run down of day 1 of my program, let me give you a little background on me and my program.
First, I'm 31, married, and the mother to four children ages 12, 8, 4, and 1. I'm taking a part time LPN program that alternates between 2-3 days a week for 22 months.
Well, I had class today from 8 to 2:30. The first hour or so we just went over the school handbook. We talked about absences, that you had to maintain an 80% to pass the course, uniforms, clinical experiences, etc. After that, we hit the books.
We are using the Foundations of Nursing book by Christensen. We covered chapter 1 today in class. Our teacher elaborated on the stuff she thought was really important about the history of nursing and just skimmed the stuff that wasn't that important. We started to work on chapter two (Legal Aspects in Nursing) and we watched a short video about patient rights. That took us until shortly after our lunch break.
From 1 to 2:30 we worked on medical terminology and important abbreviations we needed to know for nursing. At the end of class, we were told we would have a quiz just about every day. The quizes can be (on average), from 1 to 5 questions. So, I really have to study tonight.
Well, I have class both Tuesday and Wednesday as well this week. If I get a chance, I'll give all of you aspiring LPN students a run down as to what we did.
I hope this helps someone out there considering going to an LPN program. I know I always wanted to know "exactly what they did all day during an LPN program"!
--Marci

Thanks so very much for sharing your experiences in LPN program!!! I cannot wait to start, I am so very scared and nervous but excited as well to going for my dream!!! Unfortunately I have to wait unitl Fall 2008 but if not my local CC said Fall 2009:w00t::cheers:!!! I want to start this Fall 2008 so very badly but alot of people have to drop out for me to get in!!! The waiting right now is the hardest!!! I wish you the best and I hope you have a great time in nursing school, keep us posted ok!!!

MsTheresa · Jan 9, 2008

Thanks for sharing your nursing school days with us! It makes me feel a little more like I know whats coming. I take my LPN Pre-entrance exam THIS Friday! I am so nervous about it! I'm so scared that I wouln't pass & everyone who knows I'm taking it will think I'm stupid if I fail. Ugh, anyway...I wish you TONS of luck! Your an inspiration to us all!

L&D_2b · Jan 9, 2008

Day 3 is done!

Well, we had a speaker this morning during class. She was from a women's shelter and talked to us all about domestic abuse. Although I've always known domestic violence was a problem, I didn't know it was such a big problem. She was a great speaker and very informative. (We had this speaker due to the fact that it is a nurses responsibility to report abuse).

After the speaker we went over chapter 3 on Communication. Believe it or not, I think we went over the entire chapter in about 2 hours!

After lunch we watched a video on "How to keep from getting sued". It's a two part film, so we will watch the other half next class.

After that, we spent time going over med terms and preparing for learning dosage calculations etc. Don't worry, they start from scratch. We talked about decimal points today and how you change grams to mg's by moving the decimal 3 places to the right. We also did a little work with fractions. We are just refreshing our math skills at this point.

That was pretty much my day in a nut shell. I'm in a part time program, so I don't have class until next Monday now. We have our first test on Tuesday, so that should be interesting.

--Marci

PS. I got 100% on my quiz. However, I think I read and reread that chapter for almost 3 hours!

MsTheresa · Jan 9, 2008

Awesome! I am LOVING this thread!

Sounds like you are doing well so far! :w00t:

mgalloLPN · Jan 9, 2008

Day 3 is done!
Well, we had a speaker this morning during class. She was from a women's shelter and talked to us all about domestic abuse. Although I've always known domestic violence was a problem, I didn't know it was such a big problem. She was a great speaker and very informative. (We had this speaker due to the fact that it is a nurses responsibility to report abuse).
After the speaker we went over chapter 3 on Communication. Believe it or not, I think we went over the entire chapter in about 2 hours!
After lunch we watched a video on "How to keep from getting sued". It's a two part film, so we will watch the other half next class.
After that, we spent time going over med terms and preparing for learning dosage calculations etc. Don't worry, they start from scratch. We talked about decimal points today and how you change grams to mg's by moving the decimal 3 places to the right. We also did a little work with fractions. We are just refreshing our math skills at this point.
That was pretty much my day in a nut shell. I'm in a part time program, so I don't have class until next Monday now. We have our first test on Tuesday, so that should be interesting.
--Marci
PS. I got 100% on my quiz. However, I think I read and reread that chapter for almost 3 hours!

:tku: so much again!! I am not so afraid of the first day of class now. I really enjoy reading your posts. Like another poster said, I feel like I know a little more about what's coming my way. Thank you.

GREAT JOB ON THE EXAM:cheers:

I hope I do great when I start!!