This is my second day in the nursing program and already we have our first test on Friday. The test is over 350 medical terms. Next week we start Intro to Nursing and that test is like 3 days after the class starts.
Im not complaining. I mean this is made to be tough and fast so we can be good trained nurses. It'll all be worth it in the end. It's only one year of sacrifice.
Anyway my first day started in my computer course for 4 hours. Every hour we would get a break and could grab a snack or a drink. I'm trying to stay healthy so I'm munching on granola bars and water. For lunch I even had a ham and cheese sandwhich. But, I digress....haha. The computer course is pretty basic. The things we already know but they want us to be sure how to send our assignments and check our emails for class. Just to jogg our memories I suppose.
Next I headed off to Med Term. We sat and watched a video that repeated every term over and over for the next 4 hours of my school day. It actually kind of worked. I went home and could remember some of the visuals that the video had in it, so i remembered the terms! That's when she broke the news....test Friday for 350 words. I guess it's not that bad..but 350 words!!!!!!!! Ahh!
Well I'm in computer class right now so I should pay attention...I'll update later.
First day of I.V. Therapy was a full day of information. We went over everything, even acid/base. So much material leading up to the procedure of venipuncture, but it did help in the understanding. Today I went to my selected clinical site and attempted two I.V.'s. Number one I got a flashback ( return of blood into the cathether cage----blah nvm you'll understand what I mean when you start this course...its kinda complicated to explain) anyway...I attemped two and on the first got a flashback of blood but it slipped out a little so my instructor did it over.. second pt- i did it! got flashback and it stayed in completely!!...so two attempts and two sucesses! I felt great about it and my confidence with I.V.'s is pretty good hehe. Well just a short update...this course last for two weeks - one clinical day the rest theory and lecture. Short class= short post on here. O and blood? It's not that bad. I didn't feel the need to pass out or anything. So don't be scared! The trick is to pick ur vein...pick where u want to penetrate and just go. Don't waste time to go slow leading the needle and cath in...just GO! And keep ur 10-15 degree angle through it all.
Med Surg! It was great. It was a transition from CNA work to Lpn work. I've given full patient care while starting IV's, d/c'g and starting foley caths, blood draws, wound care, and ng tubes! Ive done a little bit of everything and alot of IV's. I have learned alot and gotten alot of hands on training. Today was our last day and I don't regret any second of being there. Med Surg was 2 months long with theory and clinical. I passed theory with a B! And clinical with an A! Well sorry it's been so long since my last post but I've been busy. Hopefully I can get on here alot more since I'm started Peds this week. If you have any questions or comments please reply! Nursingladyquinn
Please keep posting your experiences in LPN school. I have read all of your post they are very helpful. I will be starting school at Louisiana Technical College in Hammond August of 2010.
You are luckey your program is consecutive. I thought I needed a break after 18 weeks of classes but now that I have been off since May, and start again in two weeks, I feel like it was just time wasted. I can't wait to start again though, IV therapy, Med/Surg, Peds & OB then graduation, God willing, in December.
Thanks for posting your experiences. Its nice to see how other programs work. I must add that so far they all seem VERY different!
I am truly grateful that this Thread has been created!
I am currently in LPN/LVN school (in California, we are called LVN's). I started LVN school in March and graduate in Feb. 2010! I love every minute of it! It is an 11 month program and is Monday-Friday. We are now going cardiovascular and it's pretty crazy. So much information to learn in so little time. It seems like there is no light at the end of the tunnel but I am not giving up. So many people have dropped out of the program, but I am determined not to be one of them. Next in the program that I can remember out the top of my head is Neuro, Peds, MAternity, Rehab, Leadership, Psych and... I can't remember. I've been doing pretty well in the program except for remembering the pharmacological drugs for specific cardiac problems.
I've passed meds, done foley catherters, given IM injections, accuchecks , and others. I'm just so excited
Oh my God - I just found this thread and I absolutely love it ! Please tell us about your free time - if any - and what you do on those days. Also, do you still love it ? This thread gets me so excited - yet nervous to start NS.....:redbeathe:redbeathe
Hi I am now in my 3rd semester of Lpn school. So glad to have made it to this point. I have one semester left to go and I can't wait. I love my instructors and my classmates! I'm gonna hate to leave it all behind. But I know this journey has to end, but at least I will come out with some great friends! So counting down the months til December. 7 months yay!!!
Well we have 4 weeks of the summer semester left, then on to my last semester the fall. ? I am so happy. I have learned so much in these months of school. I have worked 12 night shifts an left work going to class only to come home maybe get an hour of sleep and do it again! It has been rough but I know it will pay off in the end! ?✨?✨
NursingLadyQuinn
26 Posts
First day of I.V. Therapy was a full day of information. We went over everything, even acid/base. So much material leading up to the procedure of venipuncture, but it did help in the understanding. Today I went to my selected clinical site and attempted two I.V.'s. Number one I got a flashback ( return of blood into the cathether cage----blah nvm you'll understand what I mean when you start this course...its kinda complicated to explain) anyway...I attemped two and on the first got a flashback of blood but it slipped out a little so my instructor did it over.. second pt- i did it! got flashback and it stayed in completely!!...so two attempts and two sucesses! I felt great about it and my confidence with I.V.'s is pretty good hehe. Well just a short update...this course last for two weeks - one clinical day the rest theory and lecture. Short class= short post on here. O and blood? It's not that bad. I didn't feel the need to pass out or anything. So don't be scared! The trick is to pick ur vein...pick where u want to penetrate and just go. Don't waste time to go slow leading the needle and cath in...just GO! And keep ur 10-15 degree angle through it all.
Nursingladyquinn