While I wait for My Bridge program to start

[jstbtus]

Hello everyone,

I will start in the LVN to RN bridge program in January. I've taken every pre-req for any nursing program I may pursue it the future, even for my BSN. I was supposed to start in September, but due to over-admission, I was benched until the January class starts. I've been keeping pretty busy with work, but even that is getting slow. I did LTC for 6months and now I'm a hospice nurse doing crisis care, but there hasn't been a lot of work lately. I hate the idea of going back into a nursing home just to keep busy, so I'm thinking I could start preparing for the program. My question is for those who are going through it or have been through it...what can I do in the meantime as I wait for my classes to start? I've got my NCLEX-RN review books as well as books for the first three courses, but with no syllabus, I don't even know where to start. Any suggestion is appreciated.

[AZMOMO2]

Usually they start with Med/Surg, Peds and Mat. Brush up on all concepts related to those. I am in the same boat and that's my plan! :)

[LPN2day_RNasap]

Usually they start with Med/Surg, Peds and Mat. Brush up on all concepts related to those. I am in the same boat and that's my plan! :)

SAME BOAT HERE TOO! THANKS, THAT WAS USEFUL INFO! BEST WISHES TO US ALL!!!

[Cuddleswithpuddles]

Hello there,

Congratulations for entering a bridge program!

I went through a bridge program myself and I have a couple of suggestions:

1. Go back to your fundamentals. Seriously. I hope this does not sound insulting and, of course, it may not even apply to you. However, I found that I had forgotten a lot of fundamental skills like intramuscular shots and how to do XYZ procedures that I rarely if ever use at work. All of my LVN classmates have found this to be the case as well. I think it would be beneficial to pick up a fundamentals book, thumb through it and review the things that you have not done in a while.

2. Open yourself up to the idea that your work experience can be a hindrance. For the first few weeks, my LVN classmates and I struggled with NCLEX-style straight-from-the-book questions, particularly about delegation. "Well, that's not how it is in real life!" was our common refrain. This is indeed true but will not help you with your grades.

3. Also, we have all picked up habits over the years. Plenty of them good, some of them are bad. I was definitely surprised (not so pleasantly) about how many bad habits I have developed while practicing without the strict, watchful eye of a professor. It was a little hard to accept criticism about the little things but they're not a commentary on how good or bad of a nurse I am as a whole. Ultimately, I am grateful for my time as a student. May I always be a student and never above learning something new :)

[jstbtus]

Thank you very much for all of the advice. When I was in the LVN program I felt like I had to lose my common sense to be able to grasp nursing concepts. I take it I'm in for more of that this time around also. I was so glad to be out of school, but just recently I've been feeling bored. I will go back to the basics, and review nursing concepts. Thanks again for the reminder!