Wondering if I'm doing the right thing..LPN School

4_Sq · Jun 2, 2010

Hi there,

Yes Yes Yes.. do the course you will never regret it. Knowledge is never a waste. This year we are beginning to hire LPN's in our Operating Rooms... Give it all you've got & then some.

And the very best to you in your future career as a nurse.

anonymous1919, LPN · Jun 2, 2010

Do it!!! I am 6 weeks away from graduating nursing school... you will not regret it!! You will have so many emotions through out the year but do not give up! You can do it!

itsmejuli · Jun 2, 2010

Your days are going to be intense and exhausting. When do you plan to study?

racefan88 · Jun 2, 2010

I say go for it...but...having said that, be prepared. I attend MCI in the Raleigh campus and graduate in February. It IS a fast paced program. We, at one point, were having a test every other day! It's a lot of work, reading, and studying. It looks like the only time you'll have for homework and study is after 10:30pm, that can be hard when you need to be up and at work by 9am. If you're married and/or have kids it can be even harder.

I certainly don't want to discourage you, but just prepare yourself! I'm a full time day student and I don't have to work, but I do have a husband and three kids and can say that some days it seems almost impossible to read, do homework, and study. Some of my classmates hold jobs at night and have been successful in the program so it CAN be done. I wish you all the best in the your program! Question...Do they make you were burgandy scrubs in Va? :)

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jun 2, 2010

I echo racefan88's comment to be prepared. Most LPN programs are pretty fast paced (in fact, RN programs are, as well). It may not be that the work is difficult to comprehend, but it is voluminous and you cannot fall behind. And, sure, I have seen many people with fulltime jobs and several children do quite well. It takes a great deal of organization and self discipline to make this work. I would get a calendar and write everything important in pencil, such as tests, quizzes, maybe when to study what, and leave room for the difficult subjects.

Since you are working, you may decide to put aside lunch time to review things, arrange studying during your time off, etc... And, as hard as it may sound, make sure you get some "me" time for yourself because this will be an intense year. And, you may not know for sure how challenging it will be until you actually get started...then, you will know what subjects are trying, which need more time, and how to pace yourself with your current circumstances.

Anyone who is truly determined will make it work...nothing we desire really comes that easy. Regarding whether or not you'll get a position, I suggest that you start looking at the papers and job outlooks now, before you start. There are some areas where LPN work is plentiful, others are not. If you know other LPNs personally, ask them what is happening out there. Keep in mind also, that with these economical times, things are testy. Some facilities decide to have less RNs, but have more LPNs working under them, because we are licensed, also; then, there are others (usually hospitals) that are pro-RN only. See if there are plenty of nursing homes, assisted living, prisons, psychiatric hospitals, etc in your area, because this is where LPNs dominate.

Are you making a mistake? No. No matter what you decide to study, it will take time, dedication and sweat. Keep us posted. Allow me to suggest that you should also consider posting in our state forums...they may have answers relating to your locale.

leapinglizards3 · Jun 3, 2010

smileyfaceRN & lindsayisxblonde: Thank you for the encouragement! I really do appreciate it!

itsmejuli: Studying's my biggest concern. I was planning on either studying 2-3 hours before bed each night (as needed) or getting up early before work to study. I've been at my job almost 10 years. They are very supportive of my decision to go to school. When my work is finished, I will be able to study / read / do homework in between phone calls. My work time is somewhat flexible as well. During times when the classes are more intense, I may opt to cut my hours a little, maybe by 5-10 hours a week, though I'll have to do that only on an AS NEEDED basis.

racefan88: Yes, Burgandy scrubs for the LPN program here too. The different programs wear different colors. We also have dental assisting, rn and something else..?? We have burgandy (LPN), navy blue (RN), green and a different shade of blue. I am married, no children. Could you possibly give me the names of the textbooks / manuals, etc. you've used so far? Are there any study aids, books, etc. you can suggest that I get to assist in my studies? I want to be as best prepared as I can. My school doesn't start until July 26th, so I have nearly 2 months to start reading and studying..so I'd like to do what I can..

pagandeva2000: I will get a calendar and planner soon. :) Thanks for the advice. :) I'm in a vastly populated area of Virginia. We have many hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, psych hospitals, and our local / regional jails. Our lunch at work is a "working lunch", aka, I don't get a lunch break. We eat at our desks and continue working. As for "me" time, a suggestion I read on another thread was that right after school, one student does yoga or works out, so she can relax a little and get prepared for studying. I know it will be late when I get out of school, but our gym is near our house and is open 24/7 Mon through Thursday, closes at 9pm on Friday..so I was planning on hubby meeting me there for 30-45 minutes to get in some exercise and re-energize. I will post on the state forums just as soon as I find them.. :) I'm still very new to this group. :)

Thank you all for your kind words. I need any help, suggestions, etc. that I can get. :)

racefan88 · Jun 3, 2010

Nursing Math was our first class. Brushing up on metric conversions, basic multiplication, division, and basic algebra would be a good start. The major book stores usually have these handy study guides for nursing and pharmacology. They're only a few bucks. We also started with A&P 1, there are a lot of good web pages that will give you a good glance at what your classes will be like, search for Anatomy and Physiology, some are even animated. Brushing up on your high school chemistry would also be prudent. Congrats on the start of your journey and best of luck! :)

leapinglizards3 · Jun 4, 2010

Nursing Math was our first class. Brushing up on metric conversions, basic multiplication, division, and basic algebra would be a good start. The major book stores usually have these handy study guides for nursing and pharmacology. They're only a few bucks. We also started with A&P 1, there are a lot of good web pages that will give you a good glance at what your classes will be like, search for Anatomy and Physiology, some are even animated. Brushing up on your high school chemistry would also be prudent. Congrats on the start of your journey and best of luck! :)

I went to Borders books last night and got Kaplan's Math for Nurses, I will start with that one tonight. I'm pretty good in math, so I think this will be an easier subject. :)

I must not be looking for the right thing for the "study guides for nursing and pharmacology". I've found a few books, online, but they're the study guides for text books.. Maybe I'm not looking for the right thing? Can you give me a title of one of them or the ISBN so I have a starting point? :confused:

Do you have any fave websites for the A&P or any other subject? :redpinkhe

As for Chemistry..it's been a LONG time..is there a study guide I ought to get for this? What types of things chemistry wise should I study? :lol2:

I really appreciate all your help! I am unable to initiate private messages yet, so if you'd like to send info that way, please feel free. :)

futrldnrse · Jun 4, 2010

I don't think it's a bad idea to go to LPN school, I graduated about 5 years ago and I found the material to not really be hard but everyone has different opinions on that part of it. Depending on the level of difficulty you find it be on, you may have to scale back on hours or you may not if you can balance pretty well. As far as getting hired as a LPN: there are jobs out there mainly in long term care and physician offices but this may work for you. If you are looking for hospital work after graduation, realistically it may be more difficult to find employment. I just graduated from RN school in May and I'm kicking myself for not just going ahead and working on some pre-reqs for RN school instead of spending a year in LPN school and I could have been done so much quicker but it is what it is and I'm here now. The other thing is I know you said your pretty busy with working and the household so if what may work for you is working on some of pre-reqs for RN school so when it comes time to apply your app is even stronger. They have so many classes online now, if you don't mind not being in a classroom I say go for it, that's how I completed all my non-nursing courses. They have online micro, A+PI and II, english, psych, soc etc etc. I say go with what your heart tells you, if your goal is a RN then work toward your RN, if you had planned on becoming a LPN then start your program. If your just going to LPN school because RN programs aren't admitting until next year then I wouldn't recommend doing it, I'd just work toward the RN goal. It's just my opinion but good luck in any path you may choose because they are both rewarding.

leapinglizards3 · Jun 4, 2010

I don't think it's a bad idea to go to LPN school, I graduated about 5 years ago and I found the material to not really be hard but everyone has different opinions on that part of it. Depending on the level of difficulty you find it be on, you may have to scale back on hours or you may not if you can balance pretty well. As far as getting hired as a LPN: there are jobs out there mainly in long term care and physician offices but this may work for you. If you are looking for hospital work after graduation, realistically it may be more difficult to find employment. I just graduated from RN school in May and I'm kicking myself for not just going ahead and working on some pre-reqs for RN school instead of spending a year in LPN school and I could have been done so much quicker but it is what it is and I'm here now. The other thing is I know you said your pretty busy with working and the household so if what may work for you is working on some of pre-reqs for RN school so when it comes time to apply your app is even stronger. They have so many classes online now, if you don't mind not being in a classroom I say go for it, that's how I completed all my non-nursing courses. They have online micro, A+PI and II, english, psych, soc etc etc. I say go with what your heart tells you, if your goal is a RN then work toward your RN, if you had planned on becoming a LPN then start your program. If your just going to LPN school because RN programs aren't admitting until next year then I wouldn't recommend doing it, I'd just work toward the RN goal. It's just my opinion but good luck in any path you may choose because they are both rewarding.

I would ultimately like to work in a hospital, but I'm ok with working in a nursing home or doc's office for a while. I am doing the LPN program because I have no medical experience and feel I need to start somewhere, and CNA's make less than I'm making now in the non-medical field. I'm not getting any younger, so I need to get this finished quick! :) As far as the other classes go, the problem is 3 things..the biggest one is that the programs are all fulltime DAYTIME programs. I work fulltime M-F 9am-5pm. I need my job in order to pay the bills. I have been there almost 10 years and don't plan to leave until I am going to work for a hospital, Dr's office, etc. Second problem is they are all very competitive and have waiting lists. The third thing is that I would need so many pre-req's that I don't have, that it would take me years before I could even apply.

We have lots of LPN to RN or LPN to BSN programs here. I plan to continue going to school once I'm working as an LPN. The programs for LPN to RN or BSN have a requirement of your working for 1yr as LPN prior to applying to the programs, so I will take some of my pre-req's while working as an LPN.

Thanks for all the info! Are there any books, study aids, etc. that you suggest?

4gonebeachn · Sep 8, 2010

I guess you have already started the MCI PN program at this point and I hope it is going well for you. I graduated from the MCI PN Va Bch about 2 weeks ago. MCI is extremely time consuming especially once you start clinicals as you will have work/studying for class and clinicals. You need to be very dedicated and focused. A piece of advice...don't get wrapped up in what other students are doing/complaining about as that can be distracting over time. Just stay focused on your goal and you will get there!! I did not fail a class but studied hours and hours after class. It was exhausting and many times I thought about quitting. I am so glad I went to MCI as for the last several classes have had 100% NCLEX pass rate and most have jobs (some are holding out for certain jobs). I am currently waiting to take my NCLEX so busy studying. Good luck to you and kudos for furthering your education while working. It will be hard but absolutely worth it in the end. Besides, aren't all things hard to get worth getting?? If you ever have any questions, I will be glad to help. Best of luck to you.