Ivy Tech: Accepted for Fall 2011

U.S.A. Indiana

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This thread is for all of us who were lucky enough to get into the Ivy Tech ASN/PN program for the Fall 2011. Many of the threads are concentrated on the TEAS test, scores, grades, and acceptance letters. As a prospective student, these are great. Getting in almost becomes an obsession! This is meant for those who are already past that stage and know that they are going to school in the fall. There is sooo much to do before school starts (immunizations, CPR, orientation, financial aid, etc..). What campus will you be attending? Maybe we can make some connections with each other before school starts. What have you already done/still have to do? Any questions about the process? What are your concerns? Are you excited, nervous, etc..? What have you heard as far as the first semester of nursing school? :nurse:

Congratulations to all on getting accepted to the program! :yeah: I am a current RN student and thought I would drop in and give some pointers. First and foremost follow your schools advice over mine.

This is a busy time for you all in getting prepared and getting your paper work in order. Personally, I wish that I would have had someone available to help guide and prepare me for first semester and know what to expect.

1) If you need additional immunizations go to your local Health Department. They are sometimes free or very reasonably priced. They also keep a record of them for you. Some titers are expensive, so when tracking prior immunization records, be thorough. Check with former pediatricians, health dept., high schools, elementary schools, family physicians, ask your parents, etc. This will save you money in the long run.

2) Schedule background, CPR, and physicals promptly. Get this done and out of the way to free up the rest of your summer.

3) Never leave any of these appointments without checking to make certain that you have the required documentation signed and dated properly.

4) After getting all of your immunizations be sure to make a copy for your family physician to have on file. Make certain that you have several copies for yourself as well. Original Copy normally goes to the school.

5) Be certain to double check that you get the correct CPR class. They are not all alike.

Once you get all of these tasks completed. This is what I would suggest next...

A) If you do not have prior medical experience or are not familiar with medical terminology...find a web site with current medical abbreviations and terms and become familiar with them.

B) Memorize your basic metric conversions and start working on medical math problems now. Here are some sites that will help you get started www.dosagehelp.com or www.waybuilder.net/free-ed/HealthCare/MedMath/NursingMath/MathNursing.asp?pNum=1&iNum=0301 You will be tested early on in first semester and you HAVE TO PASS IT to continue in the program. :eek: No fear...You will have three attempts during first semester.

C) Here is a site that will help you find other areas to familiarize yourself with. http://studentnurseconnections.com/Links2.html

I suggest pharmacology and med-surg. These are the more difficult subjects. Highly recommend "Straight A's for Med Surg" book as supplement.

D) Read, read, read, read, NCLEX Study Guides such as Saunders. This is how your test questions will be from now on. Also helpful for ATI exams.

E) This site has numerous companion sites for most Nursing Subjects. http://www.delmarlearning.com/companions/start.asp?action=go&disc_id=17

F) During the early weeks of 1st semester you will become used to having a day off during the week. Do not rely heavily on it to accomplish your reading and school work...it will soon be gone and that day is filled with a 10hr clinical rotation with additional homework of its own. Manage your time wisely before this takes place! Remember, this is another class that was just added to your already hectic schedule. You can do it! :)

G) Listen closely...you will not always be able to read every single chapter, word for word, that is assigned to you. You must decipher importance by listening to your instructor, reviewing lecture notes, power points, and answering NCLEX style questions pertaining to subject matter. CD's with NCLEX questions that come with your nursing text books are extremely helpful!

Best wishes to you all!

Hope

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Wow, thanks for all the info, really clear and content full.

:)

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omg, mcjones and hope, thank you both so much for the pointers! very helpful. :)

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Thank you for all of the information! I was wondering if anyone has had to work while in the nursing program? It sounds soo hectic with just school alone, much less working. I am not eligible for grants due to a previous degree, but I am hoping to get enough in loans to cover tuition and some of my living expenses. My current position allows me to work overnight and I have enough downtime to study or do homework for about half of my shift. I am really nervous about trying to continue this schedule plus school though. Any thoughts or advice?

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Thank you for all of the information! I was wondering if anyone has had to work while in the nursing program? It sounds soo hectic with just school alone, much less working. I am not eligible for grants due to a previous degree, but I am hoping to get enough in loans to cover tuition and some of my living expenses. My current position allows me to work overnight and I have enough downtime to study or do homework for about half of my shift. I am really nervous about trying to continue this schedule plus school though. Any thoughts or advice?

I am currently working full time at the hospital, but am planning on moving to part time once nursing starts. I'm really nervous about trying to manage a full time nursing program with part time work and a two year old. So, we'll see how long the work lasts. I also am not eligible for any grants because of a previous degree. I am not taking out any more loans, I hope, as I still owe almost all of my ones from my previous degree (I graduated a year ago). My parents will be covering my tuition for the first semester, but after reading some other posts in this thread, there are a lot of other out of pocket expenses. Sigh..

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I received my Bloomington PN acceptance letter about 2 1/2 weeks ago!! I am very excited and also nervous about starting the program! I plan on transitioning to RN immediately after completing the PN. I currently work full time at the hospital but plan on switching to part time (although I'm not sure how long I will last with tons of studying + trying to work + taking care of a toddler).

My letter did not say a single thing about taking a CPR class, getting up to date on immunizations, etc. My job at the hospital already has me certified in CPR through Red Cross, thankfully. Our meeting for the program is not until JULY 15!! Soo long to wait it feels like for any more information!

Any other Bloomington students here?!

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WOW! You already received your PN acceptance that long ago? I am STILL waiting on mine for East Central region AND Richmond. I amgoing crazy wondering when my orientation will be and what requirements I need to get done etc...I don't even know which one to pick because ECR includes Anderson, Muncie and New Castle. UGH

Has ANYONE received their letter from either of these regions???

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WOW! You already received your PN acceptance that long ago? I am STILL waiting on mine for East Central region AND Richmond. I amgoing crazy wondering when my orientation will be and what requirements I need to get done etc...I don't even know which one to pick because ECR includes Anderson, Muncie and New Castle. UGH

Has ANYONE received their letter from either of these regions???

Yes, I received my letter from Bloomington on May 24th. I couldn't believe how fast they were. It really took some weight off my shoulders. I also applied to Terre Haute, but haven't received a letter. It's not a big deal though as Bloomington was where I wanted, since I live there. Good luck!

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Someone commented that their letter didn't say anything about the extra expenses such as CPR, ATI, immunizations, etc. You should be getting all that info during the orientation for your specific campus.

As for working while attending school, would think that would be difficult. It's not impossible though. I feel fortunate that I did not have to be a mom, work, and go to school all at the same time (lots of awesome family help with this) but there were others in my class that had different situations. Several people would head to work after classes, others only worked on the weekend. I think in the end it comes down to doing what you know you have to do and that may mean working while going to school. You just sort of learn how to do it and stick to it until you finish. At least that's what the guys and gals that I am in class with are doing.

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I was accepted to Indy and Lafayette ASN programs! I will be going to Lafayette as my husband was just accepted to Purdue! Yay! I can't wait to meet everyone on the 23rd. I am so excited and scared about the next two years. I have 5 children and will work part time on the weekends, so I must be crazy to think I can do this, but I CAN do this and so can everyone else. LOL. Hopefully, we can get a good study group together and help each other out. See you soon!

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Hey everyone! I was also accepted at Lafayette, and I CANNOT WAIT TO START!!!! I was wondering, do you guys think it would be ok if my husband comes along with me on the 23rd for the orientation? I just want him to get a feel for what's in store for the next ~2 years LOL!

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Yay! orientation tommorow! I can't wait. I know it won't be anything spectacular, but atleast I will hopefully have my class schedule and all of the information I need for school. The fact that I will be going to nursing school will finally seem real!

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