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"!
My thoughts and prayers are with you, your classmates, and the poor girls' family. How horrible a loss for everyone.
On school: It is hard, but CAN be done. We started with a class of 40 and graduated 27. The 13 we lost were mostly due to illness, (one was diagnosed with MS, another with lupus, and one had to have a hysterectomy), and various other reasons. I think we only lost 2 or 3 to grades. Tips for success: NEVER miss a class/clinical, ALWAYS ask a question if you don't understand, (no matter how "stupid" or "trivial" you may think it is), take notes until your hand cramps, rub out the cramp, and take more notes, and no matter how a unit nurse on a clinical acts, ASK THEM QUESTIONS ANYWAY. NEVER be shy about finding out something you don't know, or need clarification on. If they won't give you a good answer, ask someone else. My favorite question was "why?". Knowing the "why" goes a long way toward helping you understand something. On classmates: We started out as individuals in the same class, but soon began to "group" up and became each other's cheerleaders, coaches, shoulder to cry on, and study buddy. It helps them and you out at the same time. My little group (of 5) pulled, tugged, and pushed each other to finish school and graduate. I passed the NCLEX on the 1st try, and received my license on November 27, 2007. There will come a time, (or two, or three...) where you may feel like giving up because it's too much. DON'T!!!!! It's perfectly O.K. to have a good cry, (or two, or three...) but the key is to pull yourself up, wipe away the tears, and dive right back in. I've rambled enough. You all can and WILL do it!!! I look forward to your posts where you triumphantly declare...I PASSED THE NCLEX!!!!!!:balloons::yeah::balloons:
You will never know how much this has helped me. Thanks so much for taking the time for me.
I agree with all of the other posters you HAVE to continue. I have loved reading your class diary and it has calmed my own concerns about beginning my nursing classes. Your classmate and friend meant a lot to everyone who knew her and somehow all of you must carry on. I drive home late at night after a full day of work and evening classes that last until as late as 11:00pm - so I share your fears. Please be a careful and continue on. Perhaps meeting with the grief counselors again would be helpful.
I just wanted to update this post and let you all know that my school allowed me to take the two days off of class this week (we only had two days this week). Although I have to make it up, I don't have to return to the classroom until Monday. However, I did go in today to make up 4 1/2 hours of what I missed.
I guess we mostly covered aseptic technique this week. I had to watch four different videos on standard precautions, medical asepsis, etc. I also had missed about 12 pages of notes that I had to copy. Good thing I don't have a test on that info until next Wednesday. I have all weekend to try and absorb it before then.
I believe lab starts next week. I think we are suppose to cover handwashing and isolation procedures on Wednesday. I'll let you all know what transpires there.
Thanks again for all of the support last week. I don't think I could have gotten through it without all of you:icon_hug:
Well, today was my first day back. I got a 97% on my nursing process test. I also got 3 out of 3 on my quiz. Those were both "makeups" from last week. I have a test on medical asepsis on Wednesday.
Today we went over a chapter on The Older Adult. It was a long chapter and it took us most of the day. We also watched a few videos on ROM (range of motion), good body mechanics, etc. We also watched a short film on medical terminology. (Those ones are REALLY boring by the way!)
We went over how to put on gowns and sterile gloves in the lab. (I like the lab. It breaks up the day a little bit).
Well, I think that is about it. I have a TON of reading to do so I'm going to go.
Specializes in Hospice, Adolecent psych/behavorial, eme.
Marci..
I am 5 short months away from graduation.. I remember the first days in our course... UGH... I never thought I would make it. We had a test almost daily. My advice.. Study hard, but you have to know your study style, and what works for you. I don't have kids, but I have a house, and pets, my husband and a job. It is tough, but so worth it. We are using the same book.. In the front of the book is a website where you can register online, and take quizes... I have found that to be very helpful. Good luck to you...
I got a 98% on my asepsis test. That was a long chapter. Not overly hard or anything, just an abundance of reading.
We started working in the lab this week. It's not at all as fun as I thought it would be. It's more like "Here's how to do it. Now practice, practice, practice because I'm going to be asking you in X amount of days and it needs to be perfect". For some reason, I just thought the "hands on" stuff would be more fun. We've learned putting on sterile gloves, putting on gowns, bed baths, making an occupied and unoccupied bed and clean dressing change, and of course handwashing. And yes, those were all during the 3 days of class I had this week. We have to be able to demonstrate them back by next Tuesday.
I don't have a test next week. However, the following week I have two, so needless to say I'm already studying for two weeks out.
If I can make a suggestion to all of those waiting to begin the program, start on medical terminology now. It will help you out in the long run. Also, start learning what the abbreviations mean. Such as stat, npo, etc. You will be tested on both the medical terminology and abbreviations while still having to learn other chapters in your foundations book (atleast that is how it is in my program). If you are really looking for something to do beforehand, do that. If your not strong in math, brush up on your basic math skills for pharmacology calculations.
We just finished our first class. I was so terrified towards the end that I wouldn't make it. I was doing great at the beginning but a few tests ago I made a 69. I went from a 95 ave to an 89 ave. I was so upset. We took our final yesterday. I cried the whole night before because I thought after I took the final that I would fail and not be allowed back to class. Well, I got a 95 on the final and a 90 in the class. The instructor even told me that I am doing great. Today we start A&P CH 2, 3, 4. Ch 2 is on Chemistry. I was reading the stuff last night and was like "HUH?" I forgot everything since highschool. We have had 2 people electively drop out. One because her son was sick. The other lady, she showed up the day of the exam, everyone saw her, but before class started she was gone. She didn't come back so she is out also.
i am excited to see a response on an RN who started out as an LPN. Its been so discouraging hearing all the negativities of becoming an lpn. I am also on the same path as you. My all time goal is to become a CRNA.
I am so sorry hear about your lost. I have to travel to and from school and work on a couple of my tri state areas worst highways and that just make me nervous. I feel you should continue to go to school for your friend. I believe she would want you to continue your dreams and to succeed on her behalf.
All the questions so far that I have in my head regarding lpn school has been answered by you. I appreciate all the input and the timeout you are taking to give back to all the aspiring nurses out here who are reading this.
Keep up the good work! God is good and i know He has a great plan ahead for you and your family because of your generousity.
I cant wait to be able to talk about my first day experience with you and the rest of the forum.
L&D_2b
506 Posts
You will never know how much this has helped me. Thanks so much for taking the time for me.
--Marci