Tips for a young LPN student....please

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I am fresh out of high school and have started in an LPN program. It is an accelorated program...in 5 weeks we finished AHP116 & AHP117. I am the type of student who feels that anything less than an A is unacceptable. I got A's in both AHP classes but I know things are going to get harder. Does anyone have any tips on how to keep up with the rest of the program? Anything at all is welcomed.

THANK YOU

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Honestly i would shoot stright for your RN. I have heard alot of people say that LPN is a dead end job. Alot of LPN's go back to school to become an RN and/or get their BSN. You sound pretty smart, i dont see why you should bothering taking the long route.

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I agree with vccorscc, your young and have plenty of time to do your BSNor if you want your ASN you should def shoot for RN unless there is a specific reason why you want to do LPN. If you are able to maintain As in anatomy & physiology and keep that type A personality you should be fine throughout the nursing program

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Specializes in 10.

It is for you to decide what route you take life. No one else. Things will get harder but you have to remember NOT to be too hard on yourself. If you feel you have done your best, then that is fine. I am sure you will be great at school. Take some time to breathe. If you want to go further in your education,do it for YOU, not because of anything else.

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It's great that you got A's on your anatomy and physiology classes. I liked being able to review notes before class (my school uses Blackboard). That way, I could get clarification from the text book for what I didn't understand. It also gave me the chance to make a note of any questions I had for the teacher and ask them during class.

Aside from class, a temporary leave from a social life is typical. During the semester, I eat, sleep and breathe school. I have a brief return to a semblance of a social life during breaks between semesters.

Stick to your plan. Others may tell you that taking another path is better, but they're not in your shoes and certainly aren't the ones that have to worry about your tuition etc. Otherwise, keep up the good work!

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Specializes in LTC.
Honestly i would shoot stright for your RN. I have heard alot of people say that LPN is a dead end job. Alot of LPN's go back to school to become an RN and/or get their BSN. You sound pretty smart, i dont see why you should bothering taking the long route.

Becoming a LPN is NOT a dead end. I have been a LPN for 2 years and my certification have allowed me to make a decent income and gain a wealth of experience. Becoming a LPN first will allow you to make money while attending RN school and gain work experience. I have had the pleasure of working in LTC, ALF, Methadone clinics, Flu clinics, and Pediatric home health. I also have a job right out of RN school. Becoming a LPN is also not for DUMB people. There are many LPNS that can run circles around RNs.

I agree that people should go for RN eventually, however becoming a LPN first is a great idea. Everyone has a different situation and everyone must do what is best for them.

To the OP: Continue to study, pray, and work hard. You can do it ! :nurse:

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Becoming a LPN is NOT a dead end. I have been a LPN for 2 years and my certification have allowed me to make a decent income and gain a wealth of experience. Becoming a LPN first will allow you to make money while attending RN school and gain work experience. I have had the pleasure of working in LTC, ALF, Methadone clinics, Flu clinics, and Pediatric home health. I also have a job right out of RN school. Becoming a LPN is also not for DUMB people. There are many LPNS that can run circles around RNs.

I agree that people should go for RN eventually, however becoming a LPN first is a great idea. Everyone has a different situation and everyone must do what is best for them.

To the OP: Continue to study, pray, and work hard. You can do it ! :nurse:

Ultimately it is her choice. I'd just hate to see her end up like ALOT of LPN's out there who got back to school when their in the 30's and say "i wish i had gone straight for my rn". I'm not saying LPN school is a waste of time, i just dont see the point unless like someone eles said early, there is a specific reason. She can Probably easily get a job paying what an LPN makes anywhere. I just dont see the point in sticking your toes in the water when your going to dive in anyway.

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Specializes in LTC.
Ultimately it is her choice. I'd just hate to see her end up like ALOT of LPN's out there who got back to school when their in the 30's and say "i wish i had gone straight for my rn". I'm not saying LPN school is a waste of time, i just dont see the point unless like someone eles said early, there is a specific reason. She can Probably easily get a job paying what an LPN makes anywhere. I just dont see the point in sticking your toes in the water when your going to dive in anyway.

Yes there are many LPNs that delay there return to RN school, however that is not the case for everyone. Im becoming a RN only 2 years post LPN graduation and I'm far from 30, on 22. LPNs are nurses and play a very important role in the health care field. This may be the ideal situation for her while she is obtaining her RN degree. I love that fact that I was started off with 22.50 hr as a new grad LPN and able to work less for more money while in school for RN.

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:yeah:Lpn's ROCK!

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For me, an older student. I went LVN route due to the fact of my age, and the fact I have a family. 2 yrs is hard to commit to BUT I can commit to 1 yr and then 2 1/2 semesters (the transition program to ADN-RN), I have my prereqs so this really is the fastest route for my particular situation.

I think she needs to consider all her options. I don't think she's questioning her choice at all. For some LVN/PN is the ends to a means....it depends on where they want to end up...maybe not immediately but eventually.

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Not everyone has the opportunity to go straight to RN. Unless I wanted to bust my ass working 50 hrs a week at two grocery stores and go to school full time. I became an LPN first so I could work 25 hrs a week and make the same amount of money. Do what YOU need to do. Its you who has to live with the choice.

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Specializes in CNA/LPN.

LPN is a great choice if that's what it is you want to do, and if the wait lists in her area are as long as mine, why wait to get started? I'm attending an LPN Program and then doing my bridge. I'm doing a bridge that will only take 1 year after I'm done with the pre-reqs they require at the college I'm transferring to for bridging. In some areas, the LPN route can be seen as the faster way to get to your RN. Many people in my area have transferred from getting their BSN at Macon State College to our Technical college for LPN because of the quicker route, vs. the length of the wait list. It just depends. :) Everyone has their reason to do their LPN first, even if it's just because they feel like it.

It's her choice and going straight to their RN isn't for everyone. It sure wasn't for me, but I'm bridging straight out of LPN school. I've spent too much time dilly-dallying around since high school, and I'd be close to 30 before I got my foot in the heath field, if I did that and waited out the waiting list.

Just focus and study as long as you need to! You sound like you've got your priorities straight, so keep on doing what you are doing! Best of luck!

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