Vocational School for LPN

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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I am new to this board, and new to LPN school. I've only been in school for 3 weeks, and am very overwhelmed. I'm going to a vocational school that offers adult education classes, and it will only take 10 months to complete the course, going full time, M-F 8-3:30.

There is so much information being crammed into our brains insuch a short amount of time.

We start clinicals in 2 weeks, and I'm really nervous. We will be in nursing homes 2 days a week, for 10 weeks, and I'm nervous about being around older people (I'm 23) because I don't really have many older people in my life, and I'm afraid of how frail they might be.

Does anyone have any advice for me?

Thanks in advance!

:eek: :eek: :eek:

The nursing homes can be tough because you may be working with patients who aren't altogether there mentally. In my program, the students have a theory that we have to do the nursing homes first to weed those out who aren't really serious about becoming nurses. It can be challenging. My advice to you as a new student is to go in there with a plan. My plan (I learned this while doing my hospital clinicals) was to look at the MAR and prepare meds, but in the nursing homes, you will probably do this with your instructor. Then I would go assess the patient, chart my assessment, look at labs, get patient up and ready for breakfast i.e. bathroom, dressed, bathed if needed. This was my routine. Find what works for you. Also, be as friendly to the CNA's as possible, and they will help you if help is needed. The material is tough. Once again time management is very important, and prioritizing what is most important and what can wait. Try to get your assignments done and out of the way as soon as possible. That is some advice I can give. Good luck to you in your program

PS. I think that just about everyone is nervous with their first clinical, it will fade, and the instructors understand this.

Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU,.

hello and welcome! if nothing else, you will become good friends with patience and wisdom while you do your geriactric rotation. it will let you know if this is the area of nursing for you as well. a smile, understanding, and much respect go a long way with the elderly population. all the best to you.

Definitely respect.

And be nice to the CNA's. Some of them may think you think you are too good to be out there cleaning up hineys...show them you aren't, and you are willing to get down and dirty with the best of them...ask for their help and advice in some things....you may be pleasantly surprised at how much CNA's know and can help you with.

Don't be afraid of the elderly. They are great people...you'll know who needs an extra gentle touch and who doesn't.

Good Luck to you!

Julie :)

I have worked at a nursing home for three years and trust me the elderly aren't as fragile as you might think. Just make sure that you become friends with a strong person in class or someone who works there, because in a nursing home you have to do a lot of lifting not unless it has a Hoyer. It seemed like every week during clinicals at the nursing home I got the CVA residents.

Best of luck,

Tim

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