Roadblocks and Choices

live4today, RN · Sep 19, 2004

Have you thought about leaving Indiana to attend school elsewhere? :)

tonicareer · Sep 19, 2004

Have you thought about leaving Indiana to attend school elsewhere? :)

Well I could walk out on my family respondsibilities but I do not want to lol. That would not be fair to them. Also take into account that if I could move out of state then I would have to pay out of state tuition which is much higher than in state. You usually have to live in another state for a complete 1 or 2 tax year to be eligible for in state tuition. I am now exploring other areas besides nursing because that dream has to die. I have left no stone unturned and I my age I do not want to waste another 10 years. That is my reality.

WickedRedRN, BSN, RN · Sep 20, 2004

I wish I had the answers for you. I am in the same boat as you, cannot get into Ivy Tech. What part of the state are you in? I am in Indy, so I am thinking of the LPN program in Columbus, then LPN to RN. Not what I wanted to do, but the ASN program is a nightmare to get into. I have A's and B's in all pre reqs, but my NET score was low (passing but low). I hate it that the determining factor in getting into school is this one test. I took it twice and came out the same both times. I believe test anxiety has a lot to do with my score more than anything else. Let me know what part of the state you are in? I know of a few other options depending on where you are.

tonicareer · Sep 20, 2004

I wish I had the answers for you. I am in the same boat as you, cannot get into Ivy Tech. What part of the state are you in? I am in Indy, so I am thinking of the LPN program in Columbus, then LPN to RN. Not what I wanted to do, but the ASN program is a nightmare to get into. I have A's and B's in all pre reqs, but my NET score was low (passing but low). I hate it that the determining factor in getting into school is this one test. I took it twice and came out the same both times. I believe test anxiety has a lot to do with my score more than anything else. Let me know what part of the state you are in? I know of a few other options depending on where you are.

I know all the school options already. I have been at this for a long time. The problem is Indiana simply does not have enough LPN programs or ADN programs. The BSN programs are scarce also and the private colleges are just not affordable. You know Ivy Tech is just wasting money on so many programs that don't have job availability in this state. High scores and grades don't get you admitted either. Allied programs are scarce too (except for MA which has few jobs and low pay). This state is just not keeping up with what is needed. Even a phlebotomy program will take 2 years and in other states it takes 3 months! That is because Ivy Tech won't let other schools enter the state and compete. By the way Ivy Tech frowns on people applying to nursing programs outside their region that they live in. They will fight you tooth and nail about this. If you live in Indy they expect you to apply at Indy Ivy Tech not outside Indy. If you live in South Bend that is where they expect you to apply. Personally I just want the LPN because that is what I can afford right now and I don't want to spend 4 years in school before I have a job. Many Ivy Techs have the LPN to ADN program but don't have the LPN program - so how does that help anyone? It helps the people who have moved here from out of state with Lpns get ADN - but people in Indiana can't get the Lpn because there are not enough programs. IU does not like transfers students unless they already have the LPN either. They will put you in prenursing and since I already have the prereqs. - I do not want to repeat them since I have an A in all courses. Indiana is not helping people become nurses at all.

Silverhawk · Jan 30, 2005

It is obvious that Indiana does not have enough nursing programs. Many are way too expensive and others just don't have enough space available. Ivy Tech seems to be constantly raising fees for the LPN programs and making it very restrictive to get into. They devote so much time, energy and space to the medical assistant program (and other programs that don't end in jobs). Personally I am at the end of my rope applying to programs. I have the prereqs. finished and have straight A's. I cannot afford a private college (please do not tell me about ways to get financial aid - I have tried). So I need to think about other careers in health care. Since Ivy Tech has the monopoly on most allied programs - with a few others at IUPUI - my choices are limited. The allied programs are difficult to get into as well with the exception of MA. Why Ivy Tech and so many colleges push the MA is beyond me when the payscale and job availability with that degree here in Indiana is not that great. I need to make a decision soon and just get over the nursing school thing. I do not want to have to retake basic classes for the allied careers. Indiana has very few dental hygiene programs. Medical Technology programs are scarce also. There are a ton of Radiology programs (meaning scarcity of jobs) MA (same story). I do not know what area is the best to go into. I want a job and a good salary - not a degree and no job or one with low pay after getting a degree. Any ideas?

Dental Hygenist. The gals at my ortodontist make over $20 per hour, and they have fun! Very little stress! I am an IVT LPN and I hate LTC nursing. The ratios are ourageous 50:! nurse, me! Good luck!

tonicareer · Feb 2, 2005

Trust me I have explored Dental Hygeine also. Same story not enough programs - most accept no transfer credit! Indiana just does not offer the right kind of medical education quickly.

KacyLynnRN · Apr 12, 2005

Toni,

Have you thought about the all online LPN or ASN program from Deaconess college in St. Louis? You just have to travel out to St. Louis to do clinical testing out at the school at the end of every semester. A co-worker of mine is doing it and loves it. Here's the website:

http://www.deaconess.edu

sunnyjohn · Apr 12, 2005

It is obvious that Indiana does not have enough nursing programs. Many are way too expensive and others just don't have enough space available. Ivy Tech seems to be constantly raising fees for the LPN programs and making it very restrictive to get into. They devote so much time, energy and space to the medical assistant program (and other programs that don't end in jobs). Personally I am at the end of my rope applying to programs. I have the prereqs. finished and have straight A's. I cannot afford a private college (please do not tell me about ways to get financial aid - I have tried). So I need to think about other careers in health care. Since Ivy Tech has the monopoly on most allied programs - with a few others at IUPUI - my choices are limited. The allied programs are difficult to get into as well with the exception of MA. Why Ivy Tech and so many colleges push the MA is beyond me when the payscale and job availability with that degree here in Indiana is not that great. I need to make a decision soon and just get over the nursing school thing. I do not want to have to retake basic classes for the allied careers. Indiana has very few dental hygiene programs. Medical Technology programs are scarce also. There are a ton of Radiology programs (meaning scarcity of jobs) MA (same story). I do not know what area is the best to go into. I want a job and a good salary - not a degree and no job or one with low pay after getting a degree. Any ideas?

Toni, I feel your pain!!

I just moved to Indiana from Dallas. I was pretty suprised at the few opportunities for healthcare education. Ivy Tech is not enough. The community college programs are certainly not enough to meet the state's needs.

I know you said it is impossible, but have you really considered moving? I have looked at the tuition rates of a few states OUT OF STATE tuition in these states is lower than IN STATE tuition in Indiana.

Do you have any healthcare experience? Are you skilled or certified in any healthcare field?

Especially true of the larger Texas cities, if you have healthcare experience and can get a job working for a hospital, they will pay for your nursing education along with a stipend.

Another bit of info. I have been in contact with a program in St Louis at Barnes-Jewish Hospital College. Affiliated with Washington University they offer both the ADN and BSN.

It is a private school but the tuition is NOT in the $20-30k range...

I have been told by an HR director at Barnes Jewish hopsital that they will pay the entire tuition of any employee. They may require 5 months pre- employment, but arrangements can be made to reduce this to as little as 1 month. I spoke to a few sudnets on these work scholarships and they confirmed all of this for me.

One student said she got such a good financial aid package she was able to support her young daughter.

Barnes- Jewish is unique in that is "psuedo-accelerated". If you have all the prereq's you can complete the ADN in six, eight week sessions or 3 semesters.

Take your family and 'get the heck outta Dodge'!

This place is keeping you down! I have read many of your posts and you are far too good to waste your talents!!

Indiana is a lovely state, but if my fiancee were not here I would not be here!

Well enough of my ranting. I will shut up an go back to minding my own P's & Q's.

agape

tonicareer · Apr 12, 2005

Toni,
Have you thought about the all online LPN or ASN program from Deaconess college in St. Louis? You just have to travel out to St. Louis to do clinical testing out at the school at the end of every semester. A co-worker of mine is doing it and loves it. Here's the website:
http://www.deaconess.edu

If I had the money for Deaconess and plane tickets - I would just enroll at a private traditional college. Money is also a major factor for most students. Please do not tell me about financial aid - I am in a situation where I do not qualify.

tonicareer · Apr 12, 2005

If I had the money for Deaconess and plane tickets - I would just enroll at a private traditional college. Money is also a major factor for most students. Please do not tell me about financial aid - I am in a situation where I do not qualify.

Sunny John - yes Instate tuition in other states is cheaper - but you have to live in those states between 1 and 2 years to qualify for instate tuition - I like how you have seen how bad Indiana is. If I had the money to move - I would do so for sure - even if I couldn't go to nursing school - but you have to have money to find a place to live - and I don't qualify for financial aid either since I already have a BS in another area.

sunnyjohn · Apr 12, 2005

Sunny John - yes Instate tuition in other states is cheaper - but you have to live in those states between 1 and 2 years to qualify for instate tuition - I like how you have seen how bad Indiana is. If I had the money to move - I would do so for sure - even if I couldn't go to nursing school - but you have to have money to find a place to live - and I don't qualify for financial aid either since I already have a BS in another area.

Yes I understand that. The program I am talking about is not a Federal or State financial aid program. It is entirely financed by the hospital. People with degrees are eligible.

What I meant was that paying out of state tuition as a nonresident in another state is cheaper than paying instate tuition in Indiana in a few states. You guys have a high rate even for residents....

I will keep you in my thoughts. I hope things work out for you.

agape