1. I was not a CNA and had NO healthcare experience prior to becoming an LPN. I am doing fine without it but I REALLY wish I had a few months experience as a CNA beforehand. I remember my first day of clinicals I was so sick thinking I had to walk into someone's room and touch them (1st rounds of clinicals was CNA work for us). I looked like a total moron feeling out of place. My classmates who were CNA's just walked right in and started talking with the patients, did their thing, and walked out. Also, I think the new LPN at my facility (who was a former CNA there) has a better understanding of how the place runs, what the nursing actions were for certain situations ect.. CNA's are also my backbone at work and when I had a full code, they were right there to help - again very useful to know. Gosh, I remember not knowing how to use a bedpan in the beginning! How silly of me.
2. I did not work because I wanted to focus on studying. It's not something you can study the night before and forget- everything builds on the previous information. Some people can handle it but I couldn't.
3. I applied to 1 school, they had openings. I called on a Friday and classes were starting on Monday and I didn't know (it was a private technical institute) so I got right in.
Hi, I took my boards in 1986 and it was a two day process is what I remember the most. But I think Med/Surg was very important. Drug Dosing. Abnormals. All body systems. I read my med surg book inside out. Reviewed Peds and OB/Gyn. That covers just about everything. There is probably a study guide book out there to better answer your question, I was way to poor to indulge at that time! Good Luck.
I worked in a hospital as a float on 11-7 shift for 5 years, then briefly in a nursing home. It was then that I decided I wanted to become a nurse. I had moved to another state that didn't use nursing assistants in the hospitals (this was in the 80's when the primary nursing concept was being developed). working in the hospital gave me a sense that maybe I was helping the sick people get better, but in the nursing home, they just lay there day after day, not getting any better. I tried going to nursing school when I was married and living in Ohio. I failed out of the second quarter, cause I was attempting to work full time (had a husband who wouldn't work), and my supervisors were not considerate of my time off to study requests. So I then moved to Alabama after getting accepted at a school down there. (I had a uncle in a wheel chair I stayed with and took care of) I also took training as an EMT during the time I was going to LPN school. I totally think my experience helped me, cause you didn't have to "learn" to listen for blood pressures etc. You didn't have to "learn" to give a bed bath or give a bedpan, or even ambulate sombody. It came naturally for me.
i have a few questions for all you lpn's out there, hope you don't mind answering them.
1) were you a cna before you started lpn school, or did you have any backround working in healthcare beforehand?
if yes, do you feel it benefited you during school?
if no, do you wish you had the experience before entering school?
i was not a cna presently when i enrolled in school, but graduated hs as one and never used it. i did however work in the emergency room admitting dept. for 5 yrs prior to going to lvn school. and gained some knowlegde there( not hands on)
2) did you work during lpn school? how many hours a week did you work and what was your occupation?
i did work for the work study program at school 15 hrs a week at the local library running the after school and saturday reading club. i am also a single mom to 3 kids (at the time of school 10,8,>1 yrs of age)
3) how many lpn schools did you apply to, and did you get in on your first try? i made several calls to different schools but only applied to one and got in.
I was a CNA for about 3 years before starting school. I thought it gave me a real edge in the beginning. I worked 16-24 hours a week while in school & hated every minute of it because I was always tired. I was married and had a small baby at the time.
Specializes in geriactric care- no place i'd rather be!.
I had worked for three years as a CNA and seven as a CMA in LTC/assisted living. I found it beneficial, especially with pharm. While attending school Mon-Fri I worked every weekend. Became tiring never having a day off, but it was nice having the evenings during the week to devote to studying. I applied to one school and got accepted on my second try.
i have a few questions for all you lpn's out there, hope you don't mind answering them.
1) were you a cna before you started lpn school, or did you have any backround working in healthcare beforehand?
if yes, do you feel it benefited you during school?
if no, do you wish you had the experience before entering school?
2) did you work during lpn school? how many hours a week did you work and what was your occupation?
3) how many lpn schools did you apply to, and did you get in on your first try?
thank you in advance!! :thankya:
1. was a certified medical assistant for about 8 years before going to lpn school. it really did benefit me as far as understanding pharm and medical terminology, giving injections and some skills.
2. i worked full time monday thru friday 8-5 in a busy cardiology practice.
3. i only applied to one and it was thru distance education and was accepted first time around. i was an 100% online student except for testing out of skills and doing clinicals.
i have a few questions for all you lpn's out there, hope you don't mind answering them.
1) were you a cna before you started lpn school, or did you have any backround working in healthcare beforehand?
if yes, do you feel it benefited you during school?
if no, do you wish you had the experience before entering school?
2) did you work during lpn school? how many hours a week did you work and what was your occupation?
3) how many lpn schools did you apply to, and did you get in on your first try?
thank you in advance!! :thankya:
1. yes, i've worked as a medical office assistant for 12 years. i know my provinces public health care system very well, as well as medical terminology and have a great understanding of dermatology, plastic surgery and podiatry (the main specialties i worked for). i'm only 3 days into my lpn program , but i do feel that my previous medical experience is helping me a great deal.
2. no, i'm not working while in school. i quit my job 1. because it was the same hours as school and 2. because i need to devote my out of school time to my kids, husband, house and studying!
3. i applied to the top school of my choice and got in on the first try
, but i do feel that my previous medical experience is helping me a great deal.
changeofpaceRN
545 Posts
1. I was not a CNA and had NO healthcare experience prior to becoming an LPN. I am doing fine without it but I REALLY wish I had a few months experience as a CNA beforehand. I remember my first day of clinicals I was so sick thinking I had to walk into someone's room and touch them (1st rounds of clinicals was CNA work for us). I looked like a total moron feeling out of place. My classmates who were CNA's just walked right in and started talking with the patients, did their thing, and walked out. Also, I think the new LPN at my facility (who was a former CNA there) has a better understanding of how the place runs, what the nursing actions were for certain situations ect.. CNA's are also my backbone at work and when I had a full code, they were right there to help - again very useful to know. Gosh, I remember not knowing how to use a bedpan in the beginning! How silly of me.
2. I did not work because I wanted to focus on studying. It's not something you can study the night before and forget- everything builds on the previous information. Some people can handle it but I couldn't.
3. I applied to 1 school, they had openings. I called on a Friday and classes were starting on Monday and I didn't know (it was a private technical institute) so I got right in.