CatLee128

Get a rolling tote bag! You will need it with all those heavy books! They make some cute patterns. Highlighters, black pens, voice recorder, index cards. And get a storage basket/bin for the trunk of your car to keep your books, notebooks in so they don't get disorganized. Yes, get your house really clean before school starts! Have fun & good luck!

I had a lot of the same feelings when I went to my orientation last summer. I felt like I was signing my life away!Anything new & different is scary, but you will be fine. Trust me, everyone else is feeling the same way! Find out what books you'll need & just start reading! Once you start class & get thr syllabus, etc., you'll feel better. It seems like a lot & it is, but just put one foot in front of the other & take it one step at a time. Have fun this semester & best of luck!!

A care planning guide will really help you in writing up nursing care plans. They'll have a list of diagnosis, interventions, rationales, etc. I would recommend Ulrich & Canale's Nursing Care Planning Guide.

That is the best feeling in the world! I have my health assessment final tomorrow and was informed by my instructor that I could bomb the final and still keep the B that I have. : ) Congrats!

I just finished my first semester of the LPN program. Fundamentals was my toughest class (still came out with a B) and more than just reading and listening in class, you need to apply the information in order to do well on the tests. Health assesssment is lots of application and memorizing. You will have to do a complete head to toe assessment by the end of the semester. It really isn't as bad as it sounds. Pharmacology was probably the easiest class for me. Just make sure you know your math! Always set aside some "you" time. You can't be studying all the time! I tried to have some "me" everyday. It's going to be a busy time for you, but have fun! Get the know the people in your class. You can never have too much support! We didn't do our clinicals until closer to the end of the semester. Your instructor will probably give you more information on that on the first day of class. Best of luck to you!

Thank you! It is a very tough program and I should be happy with how far I've come! It has been a hard semester, but the hard work did pay off! There are quite a few people in my class who won't be in med-surg next semester. It does prove how difficult it can be. Good luck to you on starting the program!

Congratulations! I'm taking med-surge next semester. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I just completed my fist semester of my LPN program. I took fundamentals, pharm, and health assessment, and came out with straight B's. I know that I should be happy but I feel so disappointed in myself. I know B's are usually considered good, but are they good enough in nursing school? I guess I just need some encouragement!

It's never ever too late! You can do it! I have a dear friend who is an RN BSN and she went back when she was 50. She had an adult son with cerebral palsy living at home and he needed around the clock care. With the support of her family and friends, she did it! Best of luck to you!

Perfectly normal! After orientation, I thought I was signing my life away. Once you get into the swing of things and find a balance, it'll get better. It is a ton of work and I've had many sleepless nights and tearful moments, but you will be fine!

I'm starting to find that I'm not alone! I decided not to say anything to my instructor. It is better just to do it and move on. I, too, cried my eyes out! I know it'll get better, but today was one of those days where I thought I was doing everything wrong. One day I will look back on this and laugh, right? ; )

I think I was more upset that others got a chance to retake on the 1st attempt. It's ok. I did my 2nd attempt today and did pass....just barely. I was so nervous and I think that's what got me. BP's are very tricky. Thankfully, I have some wonderful friends who are nurses and they have offered to help. I'm going back to my former work place to help out in the health room this Friday, so I think that'll help me get the hang of it and get my confidence up. Even though I passed today, the clinical instructor made me so upset. I left the lab on the verge of tears (I waited til I got to my car) and just bawled. She kept saying, "The way you are doing things is going to kill someone one day" or "You need to make school a priority" (??) Which was so ridiculous because I do! I have made good grades one all of the exams and the assignments! I guess I just need to ignore comments like that and stop wearing my heart on my sleeve, but it's so hard. I know that the instructors have to tough and I do respect them, but I don't think belittling students is going to help matters. Sigh. I guess tomorrow is a new day and it will get better.

I had my first major skills check-off last week and passed everything but the BP portion. I know how to check a BP, what to look for, etc. I was a little nervous, but who wouldn't be? Anyway, I couldn't hear anything, nor could the clinical instructor. She gave me one attempt and flunked me. My partner got 2 attempts, but got flunked. I feel that it was unfair she flunked me even though neither of us could hear anything! The next day, I come to find out that she gave others half a dozen chances and then passed them. I'm just livid. I'm very tempted to go to my course instructor to complain. I am going to do my 2nd attempt this Wednesday and hopefully pass. I will always admit when I haven't done well on something and take ownership. But I feel like this was unfair. What would you do?

Congratulations!! I know what you mean about the anxiety being lifted off your shoulders. I feel the same way! I started LPN school on August 20 and we've already had 3 tests. I made an 86 on the first fundamentals test and an 84 on the 2nd one. I made an 86 on the first health assessment test. I feel like that's not too shabby since it's only the beginning and I know that there are others in my classes who haven't done as well. Making srong B's on the first tests is showing me that I can do this and it's only making me want to strive to do better. Best of luck to you!

I start on August 20. It's an 11 month program. I've always wanted to be a nurse and now is the perfect time for me to go to school and get it done. I do plan on getting my RN after I've worked for a year or so. I figured that the LPN program and then to bridge was the best fit for me. The cost of my program is $9,500. I'm so excited about nursing school and scared, all at once! I went to my orientation today and it was a ton of info. I felt overwhelmed but I'm sure everyone else did as well. Good luck to everyone!