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"!
I went to my first class last night. Everyone was so nice, just like I had thought they would be from reading from our online discussion board. It's just our Intro to PN...but it was pretty interesting for the first day. We went over the PN student handbook, and the academic code at the school and what we would be doing in this program. I guess this class is mainly just to give info about the program itself. It's the only class I am taking this quarter since I have all other corequisite general courses done with for the entire program. It's 2 hours every Thursday for 5 Thursdays. So, not too bad. Next quarter I will be taking Pharmacology I and Foundations of Practical Nursing. I guess I won't actually start clinicals until the summer quarter where we go to a LTC facility. I only have 5 more quarters after this one is over!!!! June of '09 is when our cohort is finished with the certificate!!! I'm so excited to say that next year, summer-time...I WILL BE AN LPN!!! YAY!!!!
I start my first day March 17.. whoo hoo.. Cant wait. i already went to orientation so i am looking forward to the start of class. I recieved my books also and boy do I have a lot of studying to do.
Hey Kim from Longisland, where are you starting at. I live in queens and boy its been hard finding a program in ny/
Wow, i went to the site, its too far for me as far work. i am attending the evening program and since i work in the city, it worked for me.. I definitely would have attended western. thanks for the info.
Where did everybody go? I have two pre-reqs to take in Fall 2008; but I was really enjoying reading the posts, so I know what to expect when I get there. Where's Marci?
Where did everybody go? I have two pre-reqs to take in Fall 2008; but I was really enjoying reading the posts, so I know what to expect when I get there. Where's Marci?
I still check this site a couple of times a week. However, since I've started school I've been soooooo busy with the school work, husband, kids, house, etc. I apologize to all of you who have been reading my posts about school, since I haven't been keeping up with them.
Nothing really new to report. We still haven't gone out to clinicals yet. Our first day is March 31. I have to go and pick up my uniforms today at the uniform store. My school's only requirement is that our uniforms have to be white. Other than that, anything pretty much goes. If that is the same for some of you, check out the Koi Uniform Collection. Those uniforms are so cute and trendy.
I currently have a 96% overall grade in class. Not too shabby. However, I work my butt off for that.
We usually go to the lab once a week to learn nursing procedures. They usually show us a couple new things each week and then we have to demonstrate them back the following week for skills check off. I was real scared at first, but it really is nothing. If we make a mistake, the instructor will just tell us and make sure we do it right. Other than that, it's a cinch.
AWWWWWW, but now the nursing school drama has started. We've only been together for two months and it has already started. Everyone talks about everyone else. Someone is nice to your face and yet talks about you behind your back. For all of you in nursing school, you know what I'm referring to. And for those of you who haven't started yet, you soon will. It's like high school all over again.
Again, if you haven't started school yet, brush up on your math and your med terms. Those will really give you a head start. I really like the book Math for Meds, if you need help with basic math and pharmacology calculations. That will save you a bundle of time once you get to your program.
I'll try to keep you all posted as much as I can. Feel free to post any questions or PM me if you want to ask me anything.
Specializes in Addiction & Recovery, Community Health.
Great to hear from you and sooo glad you are doing well. No surprise though since you write so nicely.
Could you please, please, please give me an idea of average hrs of homework and what it consists of? Reports, essays, worksheets, reading? Every night, every weekend, etc.? Break it down but don't waste your precious time being wordy...I'll understand...Just the facts, Mam!
It just helps to plan ahead, not afraid of a little work.
Great to hear from you and sooo glad you are doing well. No surprise though since you write so nicely.
Could you please, please, please give me an idea of average hrs of homework and what it consists of? Reports, essays, worksheets, reading? Every night, every weekend, etc.? Break it down but don't waste your precious time being wordy...I'll understand...Just the facts, Mam!
It just helps to plan ahead, not afraid of a little work.
Thanks a million...
I go to a part time program at a technical school. My schedule alternates between 2-3 days a week. When clinicals start at the end of the month, I will go once a week. I will then still have lecture classes being once or twice a week as well.
We have not done any type of "concrete" homework so far. No essays or written work, so to speak. Reading is another thing, though. Usually my teacher will give us a large reading assignment the week before so we have all weekend to read. (Remember, I'm usually done with school by Wednesday and don't have to return until the following Monday). This usually takes around 4 hours to complete total.
We also have tests on Mondays. I think I study an average of around 5 hours for each test. I usually re-read the chapter(s) prior to studying for the test. I then look over all of my notes and study the end of the chapter questions as well. Like I said, maybe 5 hours or so to study for an exam.
During the school week, my instructor usually gives us about an hour a night reading assignment in preparation for the next days events. Those assignments only occur when I have class the next day.
She also gives out MANY worksheets on pharmacology conversions and calculations. I'm pretty strong in math, so those work sheets only take me minutes to complete. However, some of my classmates are not as strong and I know they can spend up to an hour on them.
In a nut shell, I average maybe 10-12 hours a week in homework (studying/reading). I'm sure you could double that figure if you are planning to attend full time.
To be honest, I haven't found any of the information, thus far, being all that difficult to comprehend. However, there is a TON of info to know and understand. Not hard, just time consuming.
We started clinicals on Thursday at a nursing home and it's really sad. The CNA that me and one of my friends from class has to follow around is really rough with the patients. During the bed bath, she left the little lady completely uncovered with Carlos and I both standing there. She kept leaving the room and leaving the door open with the poor lady completely exposed so Carlos and I covered her up. She was washing the lady really rough and you could see on her face that it was hurting her. Carlos gave her a back rub and I was putting some lotion on her. I was so afraid I was going to tear her skin just by putting the lotion on her. If everyone ends up in that state when they get old, I don't want to get old ever.
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AutumnAustria
21 Posts
I went to my first class last night. Everyone was so nice, just like I had thought they would be from reading from our online discussion board. It's just our Intro to PN...but it was pretty interesting for the first day. We went over the PN student handbook, and the academic code at the school and what we would be doing in this program. I guess this class is mainly just to give info about the program itself. It's the only class I am taking this quarter since I have all other corequisite general courses done with for the entire program. It's 2 hours every Thursday for 5 Thursdays. So, not too bad. Next quarter I will be taking Pharmacology I and Foundations of Practical Nursing. I guess I won't actually start clinicals until the summer quarter where we go to a LTC facility. I only have 5 more quarters after this one is over!!!! June of '09 is when our cohort is finished with the certificate!!! I'm so excited to say that next year, summer-time...I WILL BE AN LPN!!! YAY!!!!