What to expect entering LPN school?

Katbug · Mar 16, 2018

Hi!

I graduated LPN school about eight months ago so I feel like I may be qualified to answer :)

I found getting Mosby's Drug Guide extremely helpful, I got it half way in and should have gotten in much sooner. I wish I had gotten Mosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference though as well. If you don't get a lab results sort of a book, please get or make a reference chart (ex. acceptable ranges for BS, B/P, labs, etc.). I noticed each book I had and each facility I had clinicals at had slightly different reference ranges, but as long as you go by whatever your text book says you'll learn what to look for and won't get anything wrong on the exams.

Get yourself an NCLEX PN study guide as well and study throughout your classes. I found that when I took the NCLEX I only knew about three questions, but it tests you more on your ability to solve questions and I ended up passing at the lowest number my first try...getting used to the style and format of the questions will save you because they'll test you on things you have no clue on and was never covered in any class.

Finally, buy the textbooks that come with each class. It's a drag but it will save you. Without reading my Med/Surg. textbook cover to cover I wouldn't have survived. A lot of my classmates didn't survive school because they didn't have time to read the chapters. If you have to cut hours at work, do it. Some nursing programs (like mine did) only allow you to fail two classes before you are kicked out of the nursing program forever. If you can't cut hours at work then take less classes and prolong your schooling, but don't skimp on the reading as it will hurt you!

Good luck, congratulations and welcome to Nursing School!!