During LPN School & Obtaining License

Your time as a student will be a whirlwind of learning and growth. Setting yourself up for success from the beginning is key.

Preparing for Day One: Your Pre-Program Checklist
Before your first class, you’ll need to complete several administrative tasks and gather your essential gear. Most programs require the following before you can begin clinical rotations:

Health & Safety Requirements:

• CPR Certification: You will need a current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification, typically from the American Heart Association (AHA).
• Physical Exam & Immunizations: A recent physical exam, proof of current immunizations (including Tdap, MMR, etc.), a negative TB screening, and often an annual flu shot are mandatory. Schedule these appointments early.
• Background Check & Drug Screening: Nearly all programs require these for clinical placement.

Essential Gear & Supplies: These items are typically not included in your tuition.

• Nursing Uniforms: Your school will provide specific requirements for scrubs, including color and style. Budget approximately $100 – $200 for multiple sets.
• A Quality Stethoscope: This is a critical investment. While cheaper models exist, a high-quality stethoscope (around $100 – $150) provides the acoustic clarity needed for accurate patient assessments. In this case, you truly get what you pay for.
• Proper Nursing Shoes: Most schools require white, closed-toe, non-slip shoes. Clogs are often acceptable if they have a back strap. Expect to spend $70 – $120 for a comfortable, durable pair.
• Clinical Tools: This includes bandage scissors, a penlight for neurological checks, and a watch with a second hand. These can usually be purchased for under $30 total.
• Textbooks: This can be a major expense, often $500 – $1,000+ over the course of the program. Save money by renting textbooks or purchasing used or digital versions, but always confirm you have the correct edition.
• Writing & Stationery: Stock up on spiral notebooks, binders, and black ink pens, as black ink is the standard for legal medical documentation.

The Anatomy of Your Education: Courses & Clinicals
LPN programs blend foundational knowledge with practical nursing theory and skills.

Core Academic Courses May Include:

• Human Anatomy & Physiology: The blueprint of the human body.
• Microbiology: The study of organisms that cause illness.
• Introduction to Psychology: Understanding human behavior and mental health.

Core Nursing Courses Will Include:

• Fundamentals of Nursing: The bedrock of your training, where you learn essential skills like sterile technique, wound care, medication administration, inserting catheters, and proper patient care.
• Pharmacology & Drug Calculations: Learning about medications, their effects, and how to calculate dosages safely and accurately.
• Nutrition & Diet Therapy: Understanding dietary needs for health and during illness.
• Lifespan Nursing: Courses focused on specific populations, such as Medical-Surgical, Maternal-Newborn, Pediatrics, and Geriatric nursing.

Clinical Rotations: The Heart of Your Training
This is where theory meets practice. You will work in real healthcare settings like hospitals, long-term care facilities, and outpatient clinics under the direct supervision of your nursing instructor. For each clinical day, you are expected to be fully prepared to care for your assigned patients, which means studying their conditions, medications, and appropriate nursing interventions in advance.

Mastering Your Time: Proven Strategies for Success
Effective time management is not optional—it is a survival skill in nursing school.

• Use a Planner and “Time Block”: Schedule everything: class times, clinical hours, work shifts, study blocks, and personal appointments. This gives you a true visual of your available “free time.”
• Work Backwards from Deadlines: Don’t procrastinate on large projects. Break them down into smaller, manageable chunks. For a paper due in four days:
• • Day 1: Create the outline and gather sources.
  • Day 2: Write the first half of the paper.
  • Day 3: Write the second half and review.
  • Day 4: Read the paper aloud, edit for errors, and submit.

Wellbeing and Working During School

• Prioritize Self-Care: Nursing school is a marathon, not a sprint. To avoid burnout, get at least 6-8 hours of sleep, eat regular, healthy meals, and schedule short breaks to disconnect with a book, a walk, or meditation.
• Juggling Work and School: While possible, be realistic about what you can handle. If you must work, try to limit your hours. Communicate your school schedule clearly with your employer and remember that your education is the priority.