Junior in college...should I go to Ivy Tech or apply for BSN?

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2008

Thats what I said,......................BSN makes more in a management position.

Totally depends on the person/position and facility.

At our hospital ASN and BSN make exactly dime for dime the same as a new grad, then it depends on performance raises. We have plenty of 5 year exp ASNs who make more than some with 5years of exp who have their BSN.

There are "certain" management positions that only hire a BSN, so well they would make 100% more than an ASN, because an ASN could not even apply for the job.

another thing to consider----I believe ~~at least our instructors told us that BSN students have a lower pass rate with NCLEX. Maybe that was just at our school, but I did look my former schools pass rate up online and the ASNs did have a higher pass rate.

Once you have your ASN, you can bridge to your BSN--very desirable programs out there that offer that.

I am

WMM1nurse · Mar 21, 2008

I would go to Ivytech. Why? First, it is going to be less expensive than jumping right into a BSN program. When you finish your associates and pass boards, find a job at a hospital that will pay for your BSN. Second, the pay difference will not be that significant for a new ASN vs. a new BSN. I hope this helps. A typical ASN program will take you 2 years. A BSN will take you 3-4 years. If time is a constraint, go for the ASN.

lana27 · Mar 23, 2008

It is just factually inaccurate that one can earn their ASN from Ivy Tech in 2 years. That is the program only. Once you add in the pre-requisites, it is 3 years or more. This is just Ivy Tech's sales pitch at work. I have no problem with Ivy Tech, but I wish they would be more honest about what it takes to earn an ASN. I might also add that once you are in their ASN program, at most if not all of their campuses you will be required to go year 'round. No summer breaks.

In the case of the original post, if you are a biology/science major, you will have more than likely met many of the pre-requisites for a BSN. That means that in the same amount of time it would take you to earn an ASN, you could possibly get your BSN. Although initially the pay may be the same, the opportunities for greater pay and advancement will pay off by getting your BSN.

Ultimately, the decision is yours, but it might be worthwhile to talk to some nursing directors at the hospitals. I wouldn't, however, advise talking to any of the faculty involved in a nursing program, whether ASN or BSN. You will more than likely not get honest answers that are helpful to YOU; only answers that sell their particular program.

Hope this helps. Best of luck!

Innurse78 · Mar 23, 2008

You must of had a bad experience with an Ivy Tech to post what you say.

You can do the ASN in less than 3 years.

The 4 pre-req's that are required can be done in one and one half semesters.

( Three one semester and the other in a summer session- so 26 weeks for all four)

If you have the required pre-req's and you get accepted, then it is 2 years.

You DO have summers off, March break, and Christmas and time over other holidays such as Thanksgiving.

Even the transitional students that start in May go for 5 weeks and then they have the rest of the summer off until they restart in August with the rest of the nursing class.

It is factually accurate that you can earn your ASN in 2 years!

Innurse78 · Mar 23, 2008

You must of had a bad experience with an Ivy Tech to post what you say.

You can do the ASN in less than 3 years.

The 4 pre-req's that are required can be done in one and one half semesters.

( Three one semester and the other in a summer session- so 26 weeks for all four)

If you already have the required pre-req's and you get accepted, then it is 2 years.

You DO have summers off, March break, Christmas and time over other holidays such as Thanksgiving.

Even the transitional students that start in May go for 5 weeks and then they have the rest of the summer off until they restart in August with the rest of the nursing class.

It is factually accurate that you can earn your ASN in 2 years! ( 1 year for transitional students)

As far as Ivy Tech being dishonest, perhaps they did not know what courses you personally needed to be able to apply for the nursing program.

If you have been out of school for a long time, then yes, you will need to take courses to upgrade yourself for ANY college/university course. This applies to all degrees- not just to nursing.

I, personally, have been taking part time courses for 1 1/2 years via Ivy Tech. I am now accepetd into the transitional program that starts in May and because I worked hard and got all the pre-req's and co-req's done in that 18 months, all I have to do are my clinicals so I will be going one to two days a week...............thats it.

The advantage is to you, no matter what course you take.

Talking to nursing directors at hospitals have no bearing on college classes. The only ones that can tell you what YOU need to personally take for clasess are the school faculty and nursing chairs/advisors at the school.

Sell their programs????????????

That is plain ludicrist. Ivy Tech's reputation stands by itself. The competation to get into one of these programs speaks loud and clear on what kind of school they are. Their pass rates at Bloomington and Columbus alone are 100% for the ASN/NCLEX.

I don't know where you got your info, but it is incorrect.

Brenda

lana27 · Mar 23, 2008

For a person who is already in a 4-year college and more than likely has met many of the requirements for a BSN, my "opinion" is that it would take the same amount of time and less hassle to continue toward a bachelor's, possibly at the college they are already in.

Nursing directors and the folks who see new graduates during orientation at the hospitals have a lot of accurate information on what schools are putting out there. Not all 4-year programs are the same nor are all Ivy Tech nursing programs. The hospitals have nothing to gain or lose by recommending certain nursing programs except better quality nurses. The colleges, however, do have a lot to gain by "selling" their program. Sorry, but it's just a money thing and how they survive.

I don't have anything personal for or against Ivy Tech, sweetie! I find it fascinating that many here in Indiana think that Ivy Tech is the beginning and end to becoming a nurse. But there are other options, especially for someone with a 3.33 who has already done some of the work toward a BSN as the original poster. Oh, and yes, some ASN programs do go year 'round (minus holidays) and through the summer, just so you know.

Happy Easter!

spider11 · Mar 24, 2008

Where I work ASN makes the same as BSN. (floor nursing) There is no differential in pay whatsoever. If you are in management (BSN) then of course you are going to make a different rate.

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2008

Sell their programs????????????
That is plain ludicrist. Ivy Tech's reputation stands by itself. The competation to get into one of these programs speaks loud and clear on what kind of school they are. Their pass rates at Bloomington and Columbus alone are 100% for the ASN/NCLEX.
I don't know where you got your info, but it is incorrect.
Brenda

All schools try and "sell" their programs aka recruiters- Counselors-advisor's.

The collages main goal is to make money.

I went to Ivy Tech Ft.Wayne and I felt totally taken advantage of. I was a new student and did not know what questions to ask. I had --I think an advisor if you can call her that.it was some lady in the "advisors" office.....I suggested "maybe I should take one easy class and one hard class each semester" I was going P.T. She said that was a good plan, so I would take English and Ananatomy. Then Communications and A&P2. She then told me this was the ONLY time she would help me sign up for classes that there is a web site I can do it myself.

Well after a few semesters I was starting to prepare to enter my clinicals, Took the TEAS went to meet with the nursing director and she said I did not have enough "Points" to get in for the upcoming semester. Back when I attended, the English class gave you something like 1 point and the Science classes gave you like 3 points. Well by me taking an "easy" 1 point class along with a "hard" 3 point. I didnt meet the cut.

Had someone had explained how the point system worked I would have chose my class load different. I still had 2 "hard" classes to take. Chemistry and the A&P3, but even if I took them and got As, this was Fall and I didnt make the cut for the Fall class, so what was I to do in Spring??? According to them take classes that would go towards my BSN. FYI Ivy Tech doesnt offer a BSN, so they would be classes, that guess what...may not transfer to a BSN school. So basically I would be just handing over my money to them, just to keep me in so I could be a current student.

Another problem I had with Ivy Tech, I went to the financial aide office to inquire about getting some funds to help me pay for school. She said I got too much in child support. I told her I only have 4 kids and live with thier Dad, he is my husband, I dont get child support. She said well the box says you do, I told her that was a mistake, come to find out the box where the child support money goes is also where the 401K contribuitions go. After we figured that out, she said "well you have that much money for retirement, then you should be paying for your own school"

Another reason(gee you can tell I dont like them) many of thier classes are NOT transferable. and they know this. yet they will still advise you to take them. Knowing micro is not transferable and that I may transfer to another local school---that doesnt take Ivy Techs micro, why tell me to take it with them??

My list for not like Ivy Tech is endless----the difference between St.Francis and Ivy Tech was like night and day to me. I was assisnged a counselor who totally took the time to know ME. I was assisgned a financial aid counsler who helped me find scholarships and grants.

The counselors helped me put classes togather that worked for my sched and followed the correct progression.

Fast FWD a year...apparently the "wait list" for ivy techs nursing program has dwindled..because I left them in May strated my pre-reqs for USF in Fall, got into USFs nursing program that Jan---acrtually started clinicals 3 months after being a student--- and what do I get in the mail??? A letter from Ivy Tech that I got in!!!....for the upcoming Fall class.

Even though I was short those "points" for the semester before....now all of a sudden there is a spot for me once I transfer???

I kindly declined.

When ever I get the chance and have some influence I steer people away from Ivy Tech and towards USF or IPFW .

Now I know their are many Ivy Tech campsus and maybe yours is Wonderful. But here in FW. No. Maybe they have changed, lets hope so. I am a big believer in you get what you pay for-- but that is my opinion.

Innurse78 · Mar 24, 2008

I am not sure where or what you mean by "points"?

I never had any of my advisors mention this to me. They just signed me up for the correct classes that I needed and then I signed myself up for the rest on line as I was also PT.

The Micro that I am currently taking can transfer to IU. ( I looked into that before taking it) and its counts as a course for my BSN.

True, Ivy Tech does not offer BSN. But one can get that on line in 18 months.

Sounds like you had a horrid experience with FW.

When I put my app in for transitional in Indy, I did not get a good feeling right off the bat. The secretary was abrupt, nonhelpful and told me that I had to fill in the spots that said" office use only" before she would accept it. Egads........I did get accepted there but declined them immediatly. Yet others love the campus.

Where as Columbus, one lady walked me through the whole school to make sure that all my records were in the right place for my application. I was very impressed.

But I am curious about those " points" as I have never heard of them and I have been there PT for 18 months and start full time in May.

Brenda

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2008

I went to Ivy Tech in 03 and I dont know if the "points" had an official name or not, we just refered to them as points.

But to get into clinical, they looked at GPA/TEAS ( but when I went it was the NET test--similar format to the TEAS ) and how many "points" you had.

A&P 1 and 2 were worth 3 points. English-communications and psych were worth 1 point. Chemistry and Advanced A&P3 were worth 4 points, Micro I think was worth 3. So you had for example as I dont remember the exact number say 16 points total. So to get into the nursing program and start clinicals they went wtih TEAS score/GPA and how many "points".

I had a high TEAS/NET, in fact higher than any of my friends. a pretty good GPA, at least 3.25 if not 3.5. but only had 10 or 12 points.

So I was told I had to get my points up. I still had not taken the 3rd A&P or the chemistry or micro, but was sched to take them in Spring or Summer, I dont recall now, but they pick the Fall nursing class in Jan/Feb --because I do remember now, I was in the Micro, and was getting an A, but since grades wouldnt come out till May, it didnt matter, I was not allowed those points in Feb.

So that meant, I would not get in that Fall. I would have to wait till Fall of the following year. and I had no other classes to take!!! I was done, but since I waited to take my higher point classes at the end, I burned myself. Had I have taken those 1st vs the English and or Communications class that were only worth 1 point each, I didnt have enough.

So I transfered the following Fall.....then apparently the wait list dwindled, because after I transfered they called me that January to tell me I was in for the following Fall.

I have seen post about Ivy Tech on here now and I think they have thier points thing down to just 4 pre-reqs.

FYI when I began at Ivy Tech it was the 1st year they offered an ASN program, so I may give them a tad benifit of the doubt for not being up to par. I am sure they had some bugs to work out.

Innurse78 · Mar 24, 2008

I think you do mean the scores from the 4 pre-req's from what I gather from your post.

When I went to the nursing meeting, we were told that we would all be assigned to our clinicals when we go for oritenation ( which is next week)! yeehaw!!!

If you still need, say Chem to be done, they sceduule you in class for that, the same for other co-req's if you still need to do them.

They won't let you apply if you do not have those grades from the completed 4 co-req's.

How times have changed!

I am just thankful we don't have to wear white! OMG we had to wear all white dresses, pantyhose, white shoes and that godforsaken huge HAT when I went to school in 1991 for my LPN. The darn thing kept getting caught on the railings of the beds as I knelt down to empty a cath!

yehaw! B-town is going with black pants, a white short sleved top and a white tunic.

Brenda

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2008

When I went there were no Co-reqs. All of the pre-reqs had a point system applied to them. Those points were used to get in.

On the flip side, by the time I finally got into clinicals I was done with everything, except micro(because it didnt transfer) that all I had to worry about was my nursing classes/clinicals. I took Micro with Fundamentals, so it wasnt too hard.

I shudder to think of taking Patho or pharm along with a nursing class/clinical.