Need some help deciding what classes to take and when for the ASN program at Ivy Tech

RNwntaB · Feb 19, 2009

I really believe your feelings are more than normal!!

I understand about the social life! I have not had one in sooooo long, but it isn't really because of school. I work 3rd shift, so I pretty much will chose sleep or study over fun any day.

You are doing the right thing by asking questions! I believe the more research you do & the more questions you ask the people who are going through it, the better decision you'll make! (I know I've probably been driving people crazy asking questions about online chemistry & microbiology....)

I do live in the Columbus area....I'll send you a Private Message to give you a little more info!

:-)

Teacher2RN · Feb 19, 2009

You shouldn't make too much money to qualify for loans. Our combined income both years I applied for financial aid was around 45K. I'm taking out a total of $10,500 (or $1,750 per semester) to do the ASN program. That includes my year of pre-reqs and general studies before starting the nursing program. I had a few classes already under my belt due to already having a Bachelor's and those just transferred. A good source for financial aid info is the financial aid department on your campus. They'll have you fill out the FAFSA to determine eligibility. All you need for that is your 2009 tax return and it will have the financial info you need. Most likely you'll qualify for a loan. The good news about the loan is that it's really not that much considering what people pay for private schools or 4 year BSN's and you should be able to pay it back fairly quickly once you get a job. You can charge all your books from the campus bookstore to your financial aid account so books won't be out of pocket. Just be prepared the first semester to pay some out of pocket because you'll be getting almost all the books you need for the entire program. Mine were around $1,000, including stethescope and uniforms. The good news is you'll use them more than one semester. I have a separate bank account where I put my excess loan money after it's disbursed by Ivy Tech so I can carry it over to another semester if necessary and not use it for anything else. You can take out just the subsidized loan, which is what I do or you can take out additional money that is unsubsidized. The interest accumulating while you're in school is paid for by the government for the subsidized loan. An unsubsidized loan will accumulate interest while you're still in school, which you will have to pay back, so you have to be careful about that. Before you can take out the loan you also have to do an online "counseling" session that tells you what you're getting into and will educate you about your loan. Your financial aid department will be better at explaining all this and be able to answer your questions. I made a last minute decision to look into the nursing program right before classes started and was able to apply for and get financial aid literally the week before classes started. You're doing the right thing by getting all the info you need to make an important decision. Good luck. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. We may not be on the same campus, but I can probably help any time.

Oh, you need to be going at least part time for financial aid..that's 6 credit hours per semester. That's why I don't recommend taking just one class at a time. Also you'll need to set aside financial aid for summer classes. That's where having the extra savings account comes in handy. Student loans are only disbursed during the fall and spring semesters. I hope all this info helps.

Nina2bRN · Feb 20, 2009

Teacher2RN - Oh My Gosh..thank you so much for the info! My husband (I'm a SAHM) makes about 51,000 just him (that's with a ton of overtime which he's not getting now) and I was afraid that that would be too much...heaven knows I can't afford going back to school without a loan of some sort. We have a 5 year old and a (soon to be) 3 year old and surely they would take that into consideration right? Kids aren't cheap and I also pay to put him in preschool...not that the government cares lol. I just hope I can really do this. Do you know if theres a certain time frame to apply to Ivy Tech, online classes and financial aid?

So I'm looking at about 11,000 for the whole ASN program after graduation...including uniforms, books, and everything else...or will it be more do you think?

Also I'm probably looking at about two classes (3 credits each if possible) to be covered by financial aid for one semester right?

Nina2bRN · Feb 20, 2009

RNwntaB - Did you ever figure out anything about the online chemistry and micro? Did everyone say its easy online or do they recommend in class?

Nina2bRN · Feb 20, 2009

RNwntaB - I know this may sound really crazy and its probably a long shot with the way the economy is but if possible...if you ever hear of CRH hiring for a pt evening position anywhere and if possible without experience (I however worked in Customer Service..good with people) I would love to know about it! Oh gosh that would be awesome...but I don't want you to think I'm asking you to ask around lol...just if you ever hear of anything...I would greatly appreciate some info. I would be willing to take evening/weekend classes for training also if needed..like for a CNA or Patient care tech or something. I figured I ask you atleast...no pressure (swear) lol.

Teacher2RN · Feb 20, 2009

teacher2rn - oh my gosh..thank you so much for the info! my husband (i'm a sahm) makes about 51,000 just him (that's with a ton of overtime which he's not getting now) and i was afraid that that would be too much...heaven knows i can't afford going back to school without a loan of some sort. we have a 5 year old and a (soon to be) 3 year old and surely they would take that into consideration right? kids aren't cheap and i also pay to put him in preschool...not that the government cares lol. i just hope i can really do this. do you know if theres a certain time frame to apply to ivy tech, online classes and financial aid?
remember, i signed up at the last minute, literally a week before classes started. i was able to get into 2 online classes and one on campus class for my prereqs. the application process for ivy tech is simple. you will need to arrange to get ahold of your high school transcripts. you should definitely be fine as far as getting a loan.
so i'm looking at about 11,000 for the whole asn program after graduation...including uniforms, books, and everything else...or will it be more do you think?
also i'm probably looking at about two classes (3 credits each if possible) to be covered by financial aid for one semester right?

i'm cutting it kind of close paying for classes using minimum loans. before you go back to school, make sure you have some money set aside in savings to cover any unforseen costs. you may have to commute to clinical sites, so save up some gas money. here in richmond, we have some clinical sites that are up to an hour away. luckily we're only there for a few weeks before we switch to someplace local. if you only take two classes at a time, you're going to have money left over that will get sent to you. put that away to use for later when nursing classes start and you'll be taking a full class load.

you are very much like me and need to know all the little details of how this is going to affect you. i wish i'd dug a little deeper and learned more before i jumped in. my first time through college was taken care of by my parents so i had to figure all this stuff out this time around. i felt like an idiot at first. the staff on campus are great resources. i saw you asked a question about compass testing. that's just a pre-test to make sure they place you in the right general studies classes. you may need to remediate in math or english before they let you take math 111 or eng 111. that's to make sure you can be successful in those classes. ivy tech offers the remediation classes...math 050 and english 050 (i believe) to get you on target if necessary. it doesn't affect your admission. also, there should be some required nursing info sessions for you to attend before you can even apply to the nursing program. they'll give you more information there and you can fill out the nursing program's application. they'll tell you about the teas test and the rest of the selection process. ask at the student affairs office for an info packet about the nursing program. they'll get you on a mailing list to send you information.

Nina2bRN · Feb 20, 2009

Teacher2RN - lol I do feel like an idiot sometimes...I'm trying to get so much info on all of this before I just up and jump right into it and I've got some great info. but there's still a lot of questions I could come up with lol. I know I should just call or go to Ivy Tech but I'm still a little apprehensive (?)...not about being a nurse or the work but how its going to effect my married life and children. I see SOO many balance everything perfectly and know what their talking about and I feel like I'm always going to be lost in the crowd. I really do appreciate you and RNwntaB for all the AWESOME info you've given me..if anyones given me hope to do this...its you two.

Umm I have a question...you said something about clinicals being further away..is that for the actual nursing program when your in? What I mean is, you don't have to go anywhere if your taking your classes online right? I was planning on actually taking just a few courses a semester online like RNwntaB did and take my time completeing all my pre-reqs and gen ed classes before I even take the TEAS and get into the ASN program...but I don't know. I want to make it to where my daughter (turning 3 in April) will be in Kindergarten before I start the actual nursing program and clinicals. So I figured I'd have atleast 2 years to finish my courses and try to get the best grades possible.

Oh and the compass testing...so in order for you to take the gen ed classes you might have to take more classes if your a little behind...am I understanding that right? Will these classes be available online also?

The nursing info session is after you take the TEAS test right?

Thanks so much for the info!!!

RNwntaB · Feb 21, 2009

RNwntaB - I know this may sound really crazy and its probably a long shot with the way the economy is but if possible...if you ever hear of CRH hiring for a pt evening position anywhere and if possible without experience (I however worked in Customer Service..good with people) I would love to know about it! Oh gosh that would be awesome...but I don't want you to think I'm asking you to ask around lol...just if you ever hear of anything...I would greatly appreciate some info. I would be willing to take evening/weekend classes for training also if needed..like for a CNA or Patient care tech or something. I figured I ask you atleast...no pressure (swear) lol.

Okay...I'll keep you in mind....I'd say the best thing is to keep an eye on the job postings on the CRH website.

They really aren't doing a whole lot of hiring right now..I believe most positions are for people with degrees or certificates in various fields.

Nina2bRN · Feb 22, 2009

RNwntaB - yeah I kinda figured that. I've been on their website looking myself...I didn't know if they post every position on there or not. I know I'll keep looking and I'm also looking into possibly taking CNA classes...just to get me into the field atleast. Thanks so much and good luck with your new job!

RNwntaB · Feb 23, 2009

RNwntaB - yeah I kinda figured that. I've been on their website looking myself...I didn't know if they post every position on there or not. I know I'll keep looking and I'm also looking into possibly taking CNA classes...just to get me into the field atleast. Thanks so much and good luck with your new job!

They do post every position on the website, which is nice.

I believe if you take CNA classes it will help you in the future if you do apply for a position at the hospital. As you can imagine, the patient-care experience is highly desired!

Have you had a chance to contact Ivy Tech?

Nina2bRN · Feb 23, 2009

hey. no i haven't contacted anyone yet, i'm still waiting on my transcripts to get here. i've called a few places on cna classes and one place (tuition) is $697 dollars, with the first week of classes an hour away...until 11:30pm! and the other place has free classes but the woman told me she didn't know when the next class would be...but for me to come in and fill out an application and she'd call me for an interview. so now i'm just waiting lol. how's everything going with you?