Why do some students fail to graduate LVN school?

midnight*sky · Mar 14, 2009

I'd have to say it's a combination of stress/pressure/amount of study time required/maintenance of grades. It is not easy, but with proper study techniques and time management, it is possible! I am in LPN school now, and about half the class is passing and we have a few dropouts who got so far behind they didn't even bother trying. Those students just plain old didn't put in the study time needed to pass. What's also important is test taking skills. Nursing classes/exams are very different than regular classes/exams. The exams require you to use knowledge in a different way, critical thinking. (Typically there is more than one right answer, you need to choose the BEST answer and this requires different reasoning. It can take awhile to get used to it.) Typical NCLEX questions. I was always a straight A student and graduated at the top of my HS class, but even nursing school trips me up sometimes. It took me awhile to get used to how it's done - I had to revise my test taking skills and learn a whole new way to study/take tests. What I did in HS and when I got my Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Admin, it was a lot different than what I am experiencing in nursing school! The stress and pressure for me came from having to do a lot of work in a short amount of time and having to understand the material very quickly the first time around. There's no time to go back to something because there's always something else to be learned at the time. There was a few times I needed to go back and review and I fell behind. You got to stay on top of your game at all times. I think this is where a lot of students have trouble, to be honest. Nurses need to always be on their toes and it is no different in nursing school with your studies. So yes there is a lot of pressure there too.

It's all do-able though, truly. It's just important to maintain good study habits, and to not fall behind on the reading. And to never miss a class - That is a quick way to fall behind in NS. Especially in accelerated programs, which most LPN programs are.

Good luck!! :)

O2BNRN · Mar 15, 2009

I haven't started NS yet, but I have been told (by current students) that it's the MATH that is knocking out quite a few of the students. I know all schools are different, but we have A LOT of math tests and you aren't allowed to use any calculators! So I've been told to polish up on my math before I start... Hope this helps!!!!

Amybeth56 · Mar 15, 2009

KRISTEN, HI. COULD YOU GIVE ME SOME GOOD POINTERS ON STUDY HABITS:typing. I THINK I OVER KILL, AND WAS WONDERING WHAT WORKS FOR YOU. I START MY LPN CLINICALS NEXT MONTH AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER IN MY MIND, HOW TO ORGANIZE MY TIME. THANKS