intimidated by students who are already nurses

[stewiegriffin]

I just started the 3rd semester in my ASN program last week. I'm so totally, freaking out right now. The last 2 semesters, all the students were, pretty much, at the same skill/experience level.

Now, we've been joined by the LPN's in the Transition program. These gals have been actual nurses for years! I'm gonna be working beside them, sweating & shaking over my 1st cath or NG, & they'll be old pros at it. Is there any possible way not to look completely incompetant?

I wish I could make friends with some of the LPN's, but so far, no dice. The 2 groups, traditional & transitional, seem bent on self-segregating. I've struck up a couple of conversations, but they just fell flat. I also heard a group of them saying that they certainly weren't going to be carrying any "deadweight" students around on their backs this semester. I'm really feeling apprehensive about this!

[picurn10]

Keep in mind that many of us go the LPN to RN route because it's faster than traditional RN school (the application process I mean) and so just because I'll already be a nurse when join the RN students 3rd semester, I won't really have a whole lot more experience in nursing. Maybe some more clinical hours, but I'll be getting my LPN in June and starting RN in August, so it's not like I'll be an old pro by any stretch of the imagination

That's too bad that they seem standoffish now, but it could just be coming from insecurity. I know our first few days a few of the older CNA's in the class were rude and closed off, but I really think it was just how they were reacting to the stress of starting the new program. In just this short time, they've already started to open up and join in with everyone else.

[DoeRN]

I wasn't a LPN when I started school I was a nurse tech and a secretary. So yeah I know how to do certain skills but I did not know WHY they were done and what caused the patient to get to this state and what happens next. See my point. And we had an LPN and a Paramedic and I will tell you they felt the same way I did. I even remember in our OB clinical the LPN said oh so that is why such and such is done. And like someone else said I knew a lot of shortcuts that I had to break out of the habit of doing.

Hang in there and focus on becoming a RN and don't worry about gaining the approval of the other students. Of course you don't want to be fighting with them but if they are open to showing you things then great if not then get your text book or clinical instructor and go from there.

[Jules A, MSN]

This thread is a great example of human nature, imo. As a LPN I was terrified of joining the second year RN students! I didn't have years and years of LPN experience and was worried they would think I should know more than I did. I didn't know if my education had me up to their level etc. We only had 6 LPNs in our class and I thought everyone was really great on both sides. The RN students were so gracious when I was trying to figure out the nuances of their program and at least from my viewpoint the LPNs never acted like they were any better than anyone else. Love the line about all of us having something to learn or we wouldn't have been there. The course work wasn't ever a problem for me and neither was the clinical stuff thank goodness.

I'm sorry to hear that you aren't having a smooth experience integrating the students and hope that things settle down as you all get used to each other. Hang in there.