So just how intense is it?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 30, 2007

LPN programs do not even compare to high school. In today's public high schools, you can pass your classes and graduate by simply engaging in rote memorization and following orders from your teachers. You do not need to learn to apply or analyze any of the material you learn in high school, simply because teachers are more concerned with getting students to pass the yearly standardized tests.

I honestly believe that you don't have to be the smartest person to get through an LPN program, because LPN programs are not that academically challenging in my opinion. They are, however, extremely time-consuming. It is common to have tests and quizzes every other day. The care plans stump some people. You will spend plenty of your free time studying, and you might lose some friends in the process. However, you must be very disciplined with the time management aspects of school. You must study daily, read a whole lot, and learn to become a "predatory learner."

You'll need to take the initiative and learn as much as you can on your own time, because not all of the instructors will be good. During school, I had to teach many things to myself. Several of my classmates had similar experiences with having to teach themselves. Good luck!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Aug 31, 2007

I felt that while the program wasn't difficult per se, they give you a voluminous amount of work to learn within a certain time frame. I didn't have many pop quizzes or tests, but the percentage of the exams were heavy; at least 25% each of your overall grade in that class. As TheCommuter stated, most of the work may have to be learned independently, so, if you are not a self-starter or self motivated, you may have a hard time. There are performance evaluations where you will have to do an assigned skill, and you need time to practice as well as know the rationales of why things are done a certain way (such as strict sterile technique). I was fortunate because I worked in a hospital where I used to obtain supplies to practice at home. Time management is of essence; and you have to adhere to a strict schedule of when you will sleep, study, cook, and whatever else. You will have to cut some friends loose for awhile. But, the determined will make it. Good luck!

angieleelee · Aug 31, 2007

Thanks for the insight. I actually like to study lol. When my youngest takes his nap during the day thats what I do, and I actually look foward to it! I have it all planned out when I do start. I get out of class at 3:30 Ill be home by 4. Ill study from 4 till 5 when hubby gets home. Oldest DS can stay in after school care and youngest DS can stay in daycare until hubby gets him. I would have a hour each day before anyone comes home.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Aug 31, 2007

Thanks for the insight. I actually like to study lol. When my youngest takes his nap during the day thats what I do, and I actually look foward to it! I have it all planned out when I do start. I get out of class at 3:30 Ill be home by 4. Ill study from 4 till 5 when hubby gets home. Oldest DS can stay in after school care and youngest DS can stay in daycare until hubby gets him. I would have a hour each day before anyone comes home.

I strongly suspect that you will need more than one hour to study the material. There may be papers due, and with pop quizzes, you have to be prepared. I think that at least 3 hours will be a bit more realistic. There are days that you can take a break, but, you may see that this hour may be too quick.

angieleelee · Aug 31, 2007

You think 3 hrs a day to put aside to study Aside from the 8 hrs at school! :eek: Lets see. Get home from School at 4:00 Study 4:00-5:00 Then cook and eat dinner 5:00-6:00. 6:00-8:00 Study again. 8:00-9:00 Give baths and socialise with family. I would have to really discipline myself. That leaves no time to do laundry, or clean house. Oh my :bugeyes:

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2007

I agree with Pagandeva. 1 hour per day of study typically will not be sufficient for most people in LPN programs. You should plan on at least 2 hours per day if you're in a 12 month program, because so much information is crammed into that small amount of time. I would set aside 2 hours per day of study time as a minimum, and try to set aside more if possible.

At times, you may feel as if you are neglecting your family to pursue this schooling.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Aug 31, 2007

You think 3 hrs a day to put aside to study Aside from the 8 hrs at school! Lets see. Get home from School at 4:00 Study 4:00-5:00 Then cook and eat dinner 5:00-6:00. 6:00-8:00 Study again. 8:00-9:00 Give baths and socialise with family. I would have to really discipline myself. That leaves no time to do laundry, or clean house. Oh my

First, you have to assimilate all that you learned for that day. There will be several things that may confuse you, or you may miss the main points. Think about it; how can you successfully recover and comprehend each of the words you heard in 8 hours within only 1 hour? Even though for some, the program was not that difficult, there is usually an area that causes some grief; and for me, it was fluid and electrolytes.

Most people have had to place many things on the side, or limit their social interactions, even with family. I was fortunate in that my son was a independent and trustworthy teenager and my husband worked evening/night tour (off alternate weekends). I didn't have to cook and clean for them that much (in fact, they did it). I used to clean and do laundry the Saturday my husband worked and leave time for him when he was off the opposite weekend. My son was an adlib sort of kid; he is a homebody, so, we did have our time, but he also understood, somehow, that this was serious business.

Even for the most successful student, LPN school was NOT a pure walk in the park.

starbabyfive · Sep 1, 2007

Anjieleelee, Just wanted to let you know that 'The Commuter' & 'pagandeva' know whereof they speak!!! I have just completed my 5th week of LPN school. There has not been a day since I started that I studied less than 2 hours. That includes weekends! Average study time for me is 2-3 hours. More if needed. As far as the house work--let it go!! I usually don't even do dishes all week. I get caught up with laundry & dishes, etc. on the weekend.

No, you do not have to be extremely 'smart' to get through the program. However, determination is a priority. As well as time management/organization. Is the program intense? YES! Can you do it? YES! It's all up to you.

OgopogoLPN, LPN, RN · Sep 1, 2007

:eek: I'm starting to worry now!!! Not that I thought my course would be a piece of cake, not by a long shot. But I have a 4 year old and a 7 year old who are very demanding of my time (and rightly so).

I'll get home between 4:15-4:45. I KNOW I won't be able to pick up my books until at least 8pm, after the kids are in bed and most of the stuff is ready for the next day, lunches, pack packs, etc.

That leaves from 8-10 to study and 1 hour to chill out before bed. Man, I'm going to be tired!! My course is Mon-Thurs and my oldest is in school, but my 4 year old will be missing me all week and want my undivided attention on Fridays, as well as my house will need a good cleaning....ahhh.

However, I did take a biology 12 pre req through correspondence last fall. When we wrote our final, one girl there was already in the LPN program, at my college. She said that the LPN course was WAY, WAY easier than the biology course we just took. She also said she is getting good grades and "you don't even have to read everything right away". I have no idea how she's doing now (this was in February).

Oh, yeah, now I'm nervous!!!

Bridey · Sep 1, 2007

Everyone's perspective on their LVN/LPN program is going to differ from one person to the next. For some it's really difficult. For others it's not real difficult at all.

Some people will study for 4-5 hours a day and others will study 1-2 hrs a day. Some people will study the night before a big exam and go into a break room with their headphones on the day of the exam to just chill out before they take the test... others will be studying their notes with their faces crammed into a book 5 minutes before they take the test.

Everyone is different.

I can't say it was a cakewalk, but I will tell you that I did not study nearly as much as other people. I took good notes and read the material I was given and because I retain things well... that generally was enough for me. Some areas were more difficult for me than others (remembering muscles and tendons in A & P come to mind), but I found ways to memorize them and I studied those things a little longer than things like Care Plans, which came pretty easily to me.

I found that LVN/LPN school was more about time management, organization and application of skills than anything. Because it's something I am so passionate about I didn't find the material tedious or boring. I was actually really happy to be in school.

So depending on how you are as a student will determine whether or not you need to study more. Some projects will take longer to complete than one hour so don't limit yourself to so little time to study incase you actually need 3 hours.

I'd suggest giving yourself that extra hour after school to get the kids lunches ready for the next day, cook dinner, do a load or 2 of laundry and wind down from the day. Then once the husband is home and the kids are home... have dinner, get baths done, get them off to bed and use the remainder of the evening to study without interruption.

Keep in mind you won't have the luxury of "chill out" time very often in school. There is always something you could be studying or housework you could be doing. You just have to find a way to balance it all. It will be a hard to get into a routine and the first few weeks are going to royally suck, but once you get it down you'll be just fine.

You'll get "chill out" time when you finish nursing school. :)

Good luck!!

SAHMU4IA · Sep 1, 2007

Having the 2 little kids will make it difficult. But still do-able.

I wouldn't say it was "harder" than HS, but certainly more labor intensive and time-consuming. And of course the material is more more "important" in LVN school. I got all A's in LVN school, something I certainly did not do in HS.

I didnt study every night. Most nights at the very most, I would type up all my lecture notes, which was a pretty good way of getting the info into my brain. The only true hard-core studing I did was before a mid-term or finals. What did take a lot of time, and I don't know if you all are considering this studying, was writing papers. We had 2 really detailed careplans due every week, that had to be perfectly done. And the Major Care plans at the end of each Clinical Rotation were very, very time consuming if you wanted that "A". I usually spent the whole weekend writing those.

You can do this, dont freak yourself out and don't over-think it!!