Preparing for school

mizlogan · Jun 19, 2014

Congrats! I will be starting in sept too. What I did was got the list of books that will be use. I just order my books to start reading. Hope that helps.

RNBearColumbus, BSN · Jun 20, 2014

Congratulations on starting school! It's going to be hard and fun all at the same time. Here's a few things from a LPN who graduated 9 years ago this month:

Pay attention in class, and ask questions when you don't understand something. (I know, DUH! right? but you'd be surprised at how many people don't ask questions because they don't want to appear stupid. If a concept is confusing to you, chances are that there is someone else in the class for whom it is just as confusing.)

Don't stress out. Take time to exercise, meditate or do something that will help you deal with the stress of learning so much information in a relatively short period of time.

Take it seriously. There will be people in your class that have a "whatever" attitude when it comes to learning. Don't be one of them. Once you graduate, you will be responsible for peoples lives. Act accordingly.

When you get to clinicals, never pass up a chance to see or do something new, or to practice a skill. Be the first person to say "I'll do that!". Don't stand around holding up the wall, hoping to just get through it. Clinical is your chance to actually DO the job with a mentor / instructor watching over your shoulder. Take advantage of it.

As you start classes, sit back and observe your fellow students. Notice which ones are there because the want to be nurses, and which ones seem to be there because they heard that nursing is a great way to earn a paycheck. Associate with the former, stay away from the latter.

Take advantage of the years of experience your instructors have. Ask questions. Most of them are there because they like teaching and enjoy passing on their knowledge to future nurses. I know that there are horror stories out there about instructors who are tough and mean. But look at it from their perspective: They are there to teach you how to be a nurse and NOT KILL PEOPLE. These instructors are usually people who do not suffer fools gladly, and they will not hesitate to bounce a fool out of the program if they feel that that person would be a danger to future patients.

Don't worry for now about going on for your RN, or about specializing or about anything other than the task at hand. You will have plenty of time after graduating to make those plans. For now, focus on becoming a great LPN.

Lastly, ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE. At times it will be hard, it will be frustrating, and it will be stressful. Nursing school will teach you things that aren't in a book, and will teach you things about yourself that you didn't know before. This is the beginning of an awesome experience, and you'll look back on it fondly once you've graduated and are working as a nurse.

Good luck!

KL62108 · Jul 11, 2014

Wow thank you!!! That was a great response. I will take it serious bc it is serious and this is what I want to do! I will also remember all that you have stated. Thanks

JackieNicole · Jul 19, 2014

Congrats! I start in Auguest and they have a 99% grad rate since by the end of the program, only about 1/4 of the class is left...lol. I have a voice recorder that I plan on burning up recording ALL classes. Good luck :)