Needs advice

[SheilaBrooks]

Hi all!

So, I am about 1 1/2 months into my 11 month LPN program. I'm doing alright with about a B average but I've noticed my grades slipping especially in the science classes like a&p. This is a very jammed packed course so as of now I am taking a&p,gerontology, personal and community health, microbiology,dosage calcs, and fundamentals of nursing. I go to school 5 days a week and there is a test every day and ALOT of homework due. I'm having a really hard time actually absorbing information because the only time I seem to be able to strictly focus on one subject is the night before a test.

My questions for you guys who have been through this is; Once clinicals started and you weren't in the classrooms as much did it become more manageable? I'm hoping that once we get these science and other subjects completed it won't be so jammed packed. It's really difficult for me to juggle all of these subjects. I am a hands on learner so I am praying that once we are in the clinical setting the textbooks for med surg etc will only be a compliment to what I am seeing on the units. I'm trying to stay as positive as possible because I am really lucky to have been accepted into this school. It's the cheapest and has an excellent reputation with a high nclex pass rate. Any stories or suggestions would be comforting. Have a wonderful weekend all!!!

[nursel56]

Hi Sheila! I will agree that sounds like a very intense program to complete in 11 months!

I feel that 6 weeks into a program you are not only studying but absorbing the culture of nursing. It's stressful but most people find a way to hit their stride or at least separate the newness of the whole experience from their ability to do the work involved.

If you continue to feel overwhelmed, you should seek advice from someone you feel comfortable with such as a school counselor or instructor, do some networking with your classmates, start a study group or find a study buddy.

To compare difficulty with classwork to clinicals -- you will be learning not only how to do hands on nursing skills, but integrate what you learned in class with the practice of nursing. It's a "whole package" thing, although people often find they have a preference.

You may find helpful information by reading in the Nursing Student forums. You will definitely realize lots of people feel the same way you do! Best wishes!

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

Hi all!

My questions for you guys who have been through this is; Once clinicals started and you weren't in the classrooms as much did it become more manageable? I'm hoping that once we get these science and other subjects completed it won't be so jammed packed. It's really difficult for me to juggle all of these subjects. I am a hands on learner so I am praying that once we are in the clinical setting the textbooks for med surg etc will only be a compliment to what I am seeing on the units. I'm trying to stay as positive as possible because I am really lucky to have been accepted into this school. It's the cheapest and has an excellent reputation with a high nclex pass rate. Any stories or suggestions would be comforting. Have a wonderful weekend all!!!

Hmmm....when we started clinicals we changed to 3 days per week in a row of clinicals and mon and Fri lecture.

The way my school was set up, I don't recall having homework due for monday lecture until after the weekend. There was no clinical homework due that couldn't be done over the weekend.

Most people did not do any clinical paperwork or lecture homework or studying on clinical days.

On weekends, we completed homework and studied if a test was upcoming.

As far as your own grades, in LVN school, as in RN school, if you aren't passing, I'd recommend you talk to your classmates. If most of the class didn't pass, it's likely that some questions will be thrown out because the school 1) doesn't want a 50% fail rate and 2) this likely means the teaching on the subject was not up to par.

If most of your peers are passing and you aren't, I'd highly recommend you asking them their study techniques and copying them. . ]