LPN student in fall just wanting advice

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Hi I just wanted advice on different opinions on the lpn school like is there a lot of homework,studying. Also things like does anyone remember there first day or week how did you like clinicals an overall do you like what your learning an feel as if its worth it and rewarding any personal experiences are welcome

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Specializes in Pediatric.

Yes, there's lots of homework and studying. I'll answer the rest later.

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Okay thank you

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Specializes in Pediatric.

Ok, more info. I was at work last night. The first day was scary. (For me.) It was also exciting and fun. I met a lot of cool people. Clinical was terrifying at first but it pushed me out of my comfort zones, so that was great. I really loved nursing school!

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Ok, more info. I was at work last night. The first day was scary. (For me.) It was also exciting and fun. I met a lot of cool people. Clinical was terrifying at first but it pushed me out of my comfort zones, so that was great. I really loved nursing school!

That's good I hope i have a similar experience because I'm very shy but I always had a passion for helping people So I hope it goes well for me thanks so much

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Specializes in Short Term/Skilled.

Starting our 4th week. The first exam is Thursday and it includes 19 chapters. We have 7 books and we'll use them for every class for the entire program. (Two nursing books, 1 study guide, 1 Pharmacology and 3 reference books).

I've studied almost every day and I don't know how I'll do on the exam, but I'll let you know. We don't have clinical until next semester, this semester its all in the Lab while we learn the skills.

So far it hasn't been overly difficult, but there is a LOT of material to understand and remember. I'm insane, but I love it. :-)

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Specializes in ARNP.

I already had a college degree and nursing school by comparison is an insane amount of work at breakneck speed. It is impossible to retain all that info at that pace, but it's the hoops you have to jump through to complete the courses so you can take the nclex. I personally think it's a horrible way to educate people, accelerated programs anyway. There can be an enormous amount of reading, an enormous amount of paperwork, and multiple quizzes and tests every week. The material was not difficult for me, it was the pace and volume that made it tough. I probably wrote 50 care plans in one semester. Most nurses will tell you, you will never write a care plan in the real world.

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I think what we had to learn for school wasn't hard, it's that there was so much of it. Tons and tons of reading and studying. There's no social life if you're in nursing school basically.

My first week of clinical wasn't too bad really. My instructor was very strict about how we were dressed and we had to have ALL of our prep done. If you think about it, that's pretty easy. So follow how to dress as it's outlined in your handbook. Get everything you need before clinical starts. That's a very easy thing to follow. If you have an instructor tell you your pants are too long, you better get them fixed before you see her (or him) again. Do everything he or she asks or they will most likely send you home for the day. But they don't ask you anything super hard for your first clinical. Mine was in long term care and the residents were great, I enjoyed working with them. For most of my clinicals, the employees were friendly and welcoming.

Nursing school was a lot of hard work, but I loved it. I made some friends that I really like, having friends in nursing school really helps.

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Specializes in Short Term/Skilled.

The little things add up. 10% of our grade is based on random assignments and tasks that we should all easily get an A in. That 10% could easily be the difference between a 67 and a 77 (77 is passing, 76 is.not)

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I split my chapters up. This allows me to be able to learn a small amount of info at a time and really focus on learning the material instead of finishing a chapter and feeling overwhelmed. For example: I will take a chapter, look at the full number of pages, split it into two days, and learn it that way. This is the first time I did it because I HAD to find a way to study and do better. The test weren't the same FYI. I made an 87 this time around on my first test which is the hardest of the 3! I also take a highlighter into my test and highlight important things like signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and anything related to the patient. It actually kept me from getting s few answers wrong since ONE word can change an answer completely. I also make notecards of symptoms I need to remember like for respiratory and cardiac patients, etc. I hope this helps someone! Failing was a wake up call but I found what works for me. Thank God I was chosen to continue this program!

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My advice is to get a agenda. On the first day you get your syllabus, go home and fill it out. I used different color highlighters for different topics. I would also suggest you make a habit of coming home from school with a daily routine. What I did was allow a 30min break and then read everything i needed, then made notes as I went along. That way you don't get in a habit of coming home and napping/watching TV, then start studying at 8pm. Also make a study group with some class mates, my teachers really pushed us to do that. It helped me a lot. Another helpful hint was I recorded lectures on my iPad and just listened to them in the car on my way to school.

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Specializes in Geriatrics/LTC.

Here are some tips for surviving clinicals

1. Be excited! Ask questions, get involved (if allowed) - most of us love aiding in the teaching of others and answering anything (Side note - be advised, we may not be able to answer or demonstrate some things by the book - real world applications of nursing can differ from the "perfect scenario" situations that always seem present in nursing school. These things include; not triple checking the MAR (more so for Nursing Homes - we check it, just not 3 times unless its a new resident)

2. Your instructors word/style is law of the land. If instructor shows preference to a certain style of doing anything, stick to it. Everyone has a different way of doing things, the nurses that you will work with will give you tips, show shortcuts, etc., but while you are a nursing student, you are expected to adhere to what you are taught.

3. Leave ALL negativity at the door. Remember, a lot of us had the same instructors and have a professional relationship with them. They will ask us how you were during the clinical.

4. To stress this last part again - please, feel free to ask us questions! We don't expect you to have the knowledge of a veteran nurse. We understand some things are confusing or we may have insight towards a particular problem. I'd also like to tie in that if you see something that concerns you, talk to your instructor.

My last thoughts as far as if its "worth it" - there is no question. I've witnessed miracles, seen new life be born, held the hands with someone in their final minutes of life. I've been stabbed, urinated on, puked on, slabbed, talked down to, yelled at, and treated like complete garbage at times - but when I come on the floor and see my people and they tell me how thankful they are to have such a compassionate nurse take care of them...it makes all the bad insignificant. I honestly would not change a thing.

Good luck in your endeavors, and feel free to message me if you have any questions.

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