I'm on my way to beginning LPN school at my local vo-tech. I was excited about it and confident in myself because I grew up with a terminal illness that familiarized me with the medical field. I'm great at terminology, familar with procedures, know where organs are located, etc. because of growing up with several medical conditions.
Then I talked to a good friend whose mother and father is an LPN and she turned my whole world upside down!!!!! She warned me that it's TERRIBLY, dreadfully difficult and that I will be "weeded out." She said the soursework is heavy, intricate and difficult.
I realize the instructors will be unsupportive probably because they aren't "regular" teachers; they themselves are nurses. I also realize that no school is going to be easy!
I guess my weak points are algebra and chemistry..... which is ultimately why I didn't opt for a nursing major in college. It's just too much math and science - so I heard that LPN school is more hands-on and more "practical" procedures...I felt so happy to hear that!
I graduated from high school last year, and I have no interest in liberal arts education from colleges. I want a skill, a profession, and since I'm already semi-familiar with the medical field....I thought LPN was perfect for me. Now I am scared to death.
As a current LPN student, I can tell you that it isn't that hard if you put your mind to it.. it's not like you can cram for one test, forget the info and move on.. nooooo.. you have to learn the info and retain it. Not everyone will know everything so it's ok to ask questions and learn with your instructors during clinicals. I'm almost done now and I didn't think I would make it though clinicals.. Just take it one step at a time.
I'm sure you have to pass a drug calculation test and it's on the boards. It does have fractions and decimals so you need to know how to work with those things. Sometimes you might have to calculate a dosage and it's impt you get it right or you can seriously hurt the patient. If you are that worried, go to the library or bookstore and buy a book on drug calculations and start working on it now. Practice is the only way you'll learn. Try not to worry too much, I bet you won't be the only one with this concern!
Specializes in ICU, oncology, orthopedics, med/surge.
I understand your dilemma. Here in Alabama, a friend of mine said it was the hardest thing he ever had to take and he has MS in computer science and a BS in something else. Scared the living day lights out of me. But I'm determined to get this finished so I'm going for it. If it means studying all night, I'll do it. I just really hope I have enough brain cells to be a good nurse.
Planned to be in the accelerated program at University of South AL in spring. I'm still scared but as the great FDR once said "The only thing you have to fear, is fear itself".
BTW, your friend doesn't sound very supportive....
Follow your dreams and your determination will do the rest..
I'm so glad you're going to nursing school. I've been an RN since 1982, and not once have I ever regretted it. Just keep coming to school every day, and don't let anxiety get the better of you. Of course, some days are better than others. If I could have kept my anxiety under control and not had to work parttime (which left me chronically sleep-deprived), I would have enjoyed school more. One of my biggest obstacles to enjoying school was that my boyfriend used to undermine my efforts. Identify for yourself people who can give you the encouragement when you need it the most.
Although Nursing school was tough, I expected anything with a professional degree, especially one dealing with lives, would be for the good of Nursing!
I made it, and actually was second in my class! What I did was to take the time to find out how I LEARN, and many times I had to take my books and teach myself what was going on the way I needed to learn it! I got some great books which helped me a great deal (far better then the ones the college had me get)...and I made learning fun! I didn't know I had it in me!!!! LOL!
As far as math...OUCH! I don't like or do math well. So, I knew this was going to be a trouble spot big time! So I brushed up on my math before testing for placement (especially fractions, which actually weren't so bad when I had a desire to learn it so badly!), and I actually had the opportunity to take a distance learning math...which meant, it was on the colleges TV channel on cable...I taped it (or I could rent the tapes from school, or even buy them) and it was GREAT!!!!!!!!!
Something about being able to rewind a teacher when you don't understand that was great!!! LOL. And I was able to study when I wanted or could! Sometimes 0100 or 0300 when I needed (I had an infant...so I was up at that time..LOL!). Best choice I ever made, and I actually ACED math!
Chemistry I just looked hard for a good teacher and took recomendations from other students. Found a great one that had a class full of folks that didn't do well in high school chem. He was awesome and made learning fun!
There are all sorts of ways to teach yourself how to learn and make it fun! Look at the available classes and see if any are distance learning (like internet and such...makes it easier and fits into any schedule).
Good luck!
Where did you find those EXTRA books? That's exactly what I need!!
Never fear - while it is hard, if you are committed you can make it through! I recently graduated from an ADN program (and have an interview today at our local hospital!). My nursing instructors were a huge support to me throughout school. It is because they are nurses that they make such great instructors and support people to nursing students! Most nursing instructors I've found are teaching because they love it - they could make a lot more money doing bedside nursing! Also, your classmates can become your greatest friends, study partners, and confidantes during the common trial of nursing school. Form friendships, be the glue that holds the class together - it's well worth the time and effort invested. Nursing school doesn't really last that long in the scheme of things - enjoy it while it lasts, and take advantage of every opportunity to try something new while you can still claim "I'm just a student." Good luck!
Specializes in geriatric, ltc, telemetry, med-surg.
I hope you won't let what some say keep you from doing what YOU probably were ment to do. Anyway honey, I was 14 when I got married the first time which ment I dropped out of school 2 weeks into the eight grade. Now you can do this I went back to school for my LPN when I was 21 and for the past 17 years that is what I have done and loved Long term care until the past few years and really got disgusted with having more experience and knowledge than the RNs that I had worked with so I am back because I want a degree so I can do forensic nursing. If I were you there is only 1 or 2 semesters seperating LPNs from RNs now, so please think long and hard before you let a couple of courses stop you from getting the credit you deserve and not feeling like the old saying(Oh, your just an LPN). I had such a mental block against English and Speech and Math that I have wasted 17 years and now I am finished with all that stuff and I gotta tell you, LPN school was so much harder because it was crammed into a smaller time frame. You can do this for one because there are many of us and other people you know who are I'm sure, willing to help you at any time. Just ask. Please reconsider the RN class because if nothing else the job market is almost noexistent unless you what to do long term care and then it has gotten to where you are used like a CNA most of the time anyway. Good Luck and if you need to talk I am willing to listen and help anytime.
Hmm....maybe your program has pre reqs because it's at a college? the LPN school I chose is at a vocational school, and the only pre requisites is an entrance exam, a background checm and a drug test.
for the forumula you gave as an example...can you use a calculator for assistance?
yes it is at a college. There are pre reqs which include English, Psychology, Sociology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Math. There are even more for the RN program.
Calculators were always permitted during the tests. However, I had the misfortune of having an instructor who did not like me this last semester, and once when I had to figure a drip time, she refused to let me use my calculator that was in my pocket, choosing instead to let me sweat it out with my primary and her breathing down my neck doing it on a scratch piece of paper. Not a reason to kill her.. I should be able to do it both ways, but rude because that was never an expectation within the program.
Good luck!
changeofpaceRN
545 Posts
As a current LPN student, I can tell you that it isn't that hard if you put your mind to it.. it's not like you can cram for one test, forget the info and move on.. nooooo.. you have to learn the info and retain it. Not everyone will know everything so it's ok to ask questions and learn with your instructors during clinicals. I'm almost done now and I didn't think I would make it though clinicals.. Just take it one step at a time.
I'm sure you have to pass a drug calculation test and it's on the boards. It does have fractions and decimals so you need to know how to work with those things. Sometimes you might have to calculate a dosage and it's impt you get it right or you can seriously hurt the patient. If you are that worried, go to the library or bookstore and buy a book on drug calculations and start working on it now. Practice is the only way you'll learn. Try not to worry too much, I bet you won't be the only one with this concern!