Tips/Advice for starting LPN school?

CNC_1989 · Jan 7, 2016

I'm starting my program next Monday. I can't believe I'm finally in nursing school after deciding on this path almost 5 years ago. I've been brushing up on my A&P and reading up on nursing fundamentals. I was a CNA and then a endoscopy tech so I'm hoping my experience will help some. Good luck with your studies!

mikayyCNA_ · Jan 7, 2016

I feel the same way! It hasn't hit me yet that the thing I've wanted for 3 years now is finally here! I recently became CNA certified and I currently work as a tech on the behavioral health floor at a hospital. I'm hoping I'm not completely clueless! Good luck with your program! So this means we might graduate around the same time?

CNC_1989 · Jan 7, 2016

I feel the same way! It hasn't hit me yet that the thing I've wanted for 3 years now is finally here! I recently became CNA certified and I currently work as a tech on the behavioral health floor at a hospital. I'm hoping I'm not completely clueless! Good luck with your program! So this means we might graduate around the same time?

I'll graduate in Dec of this year. :)

Shemika12 · Jan 7, 2016

Hello everyone,

I also start class on this coming Monday. We had orientation on yesterday and boy was it a lot of information to go over from 8 a.m. to after 2 o'clock. But it was well worth it. We were given our reading assignments of 4 chapters and told to be ready come Monday because they start lecturing on the 1st day of class. I started reading last night. We didn't start with the first chapters they choose 4 chapters from all over the book for us to start out with. And also, we were told the nervousness we are experiencing is a norm for nursing students. Good luck everyone and let's aim to finish on time and conquer what we are all called to do. That is to care and help heal the ones that depend on us.

NotAllThoseWhoWander · Jan 7, 2016

First of all, congratulations! It's not a breeze in the park, but you'll grow - both as a person, and in the professional sense as well. :yes:

I'm currently in an LPN program. I survived the easiest part (Fundamentals), now I have to make it through the next two semesters... :confused:

Tip 1: Don't take the little things for granted. Due to the fact that nursing fundamentals are, well - fundamental - many students tend to slack off during this time. But when the waters get choppy, you'll have to play catch-up, and that's no fun at all. What's worse, a handful of students didn't even make it past the first semester because they underestimated the workload!

Patient positioning, hygiene, safety, assessment, therapeutic communication - this is the stuff nursing is based on. If you cannot establish a stable base, how will you build on it when Med/Surg comes around?

Tip 2: Take advantage of clinicals. I know you'll be nervous, and everything will be new (maybe), but instructors and staff recognize somebody who is trying. Keep in mind that your clinical site could very well offer you job after graduation.

On that note, if you do have healthcare experience, stay humble. A student was kicked out of my program purely for her bad attitude (her behavior violated our Code of Conduct, was disruptive to the rest of us, and even put a pt in danger). The way that you were taught to do your job as a CNA/PCA/Tech is NOT necessarily correct in nursing school. You may have to relearn a couple of things.

Tip 3: There will be drama. Stay away from it.

Tip 4: Start studying for the Kaplan from Day 1! It's just smarter than waiting. It'll creep up on you before you know it. (Plus, you really need to know this stuff! You're being trusted with the life of another human being!)

Anyway, I'm sorry for getting a little carried away, but that's all I've got. If your instructors are anything like mine, they will cover everything I've mentioned, and then some. Best wishes! It's an exciting time! :)

Shemika12 · Jan 8, 2016

NotAllThoseWhoWander you are so right about the attitudes tip. We had orientation and there were so many students that were in the RN program last semester in our new class. And the instructor stated that was the reason some are repeating and had to step down to the lpn level. Like 20 of them. I thought it was going to only be the 12 people that came to registration in December. But I was surprised when I walked into orientation almost 50 students total.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Jan 8, 2016

Good morning everyone!
I will be starting my LPN program on February 1st! I'm so excited to finally start, but I'm so nervous for the challenges that nursing school and working full time in school will bring. Is anyone else starting their program soon? Also, for everyone currently enrolled in a LPN program or has completed a LPN program do you have any tips or advice that you found helpful, would have found helpful, or have learned along the way?
I appreciate everyone's responses in advance!

Time management is crucial.

Make friends with other students so that you can support and help eachother.

Be organized.

If you have kids (like me) make sure you have child care available for the clinicals as well as have a plan to be able to study and do assignments outside of school.

Learn all you can...above and beyond the minimum that passing school requires.

If I could go back in time, I would have incorporated NCLEX study questions into my test prep. For example, when we were studying neuro, it would have been beneficial for me to practice answering NCLEX questions r/t neuro.

CNC_1989 · Jan 9, 2016

Time management is crucial.
Make friends with other students so that you can support and help eachother.
Be organized.
If you have kids (like me) make sure you have child care available for the clinicals as well as have a plan to be able to study and do assignments outside of school.
Learn all you can...above and beyond the minimum that passing school requires.
If I could go back in time, I would have incorporated NCLEX study questions into my test prep. For example, when we were studying neuro, it would have been beneficial for me to practice answering NCLEX questions r/t neuro.

You answered a major question that I was gonna ask. I didn't know if it would be beneficial if I did NCLEX questions from day one. Someone gave me a free Kaplan study guide so I'll use it along with my textbooks. :)

PennyMT, LPN · Jan 9, 2016

I started September 3rd. Almost half way, and my advice is set up a schedule. Without a schedule your life can get more hectic. I have specific days and hours for studying. I usually take a good 1 1/2 hours per class to study. In the beginning you might feel like you can't do it, but I promise you do get in a routine after a month or two and it starts to get a drop easier. Hang in there. Set up those schedules. You will be fine. Also, everyone's studying technique isn't the same. What works for someone else might not work for you. Find a way for your brain to remember the information better.

PennyMT, LPN · Jan 9, 2016

[COLOR=#000000]As you are a CNA, your experience will help a lot in clinical. I have medical background with Medical Transcription, and that more helped me towards book work, but in clinical the CNA's are running circles around me. Lol. So I'm sure you'll do awesome![/COLOR]

mikayyCNA_ · Jan 10, 2016

Thank you everyone so much for all the responses! I'm so excited. It's still so surreal to me my start date is finally (almost) here. I'm so nervous. Especially about getting in a routine to balance school, work, clinicals, and studying! How deep into everyone's programs did you start clinicals?