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

Nina2bRN · Feb 18, 2009

Sorry if I didn't post this right :rolleyes: ...new here lol.

RNwntaB · Feb 18, 2009

i began taking my gen ed/pre-reqs in the fall of 2006. i am finally drawing to the end of them (fall of 2009). :yeah:

i have no regrets about any of the classes i've taken online.

i have only taken 2 classes on campus, anatomy 101 & 102 (currently taking)

i am undecided about whether i am happy i took them on campus or not...i believe we have a harder teacher than some of the others...he definitely makes you earn every point that you get where others may be a little more lax. i understand he wants us to know everything and not memorize, but feel it's unfair how each teacher's standards are different. i truly believe those who take his class will have a greater understanding of a&p, but students from other classes will probably have the a's from memorization. (as you know, it's all about grades to get into the nursing program)

i have a's in everything except a&p 1 (probably a&p 2) will be the same.

if i had it to do over again, i would start with my 4 core classes (a&p 1&2, engl comp, psyc)...that way you have the option of applying to the program whenever you get the urge to...

i hope this helps you out a little...sorry if i rambled too much! good luck!

i've marked all my classes i've taken below....

anatomy and physiology i (on campus)

anatomy and physiology ii (currently taking on campus)

english composition (online)

life skills elective (taking ivyt103 beginning feb 23 online)

introduction to psychology (online)

choose one of the following:fundamentals of public speaking or

introduction to interpersonal communication (online)

choose one of the following:exposition and persuasion or

technical writing (currently taking online)

choose one of the following:the art of geometry or

concepts in mathematics (will take in summer or fall online) {prev took math111 now it is not a requirement}

choose one of the following:lifespan development,

abnormal psychology, introduction to sociology, multicultural studies (online)

choose two of the following:advanced human physiology, general microbiology i, microbiology i, introductory chemistry i, chemistry i, physics i planning on chem-101 online in summer & biol-201? online in fall

Nina2bRN · Feb 18, 2009

Thank you RNwntaB and Congrats on Completeing most of your courses!!! So are you taking A&P in columbus? And could you tell me a little about Technical writing and Interpersonal communication? And how do the online courses work exactly...do you have to log in to a specific time or can you do it whenever? Are you completeing all your courses before applying to the RN program?

jackson145 · Feb 18, 2009

I would take only 1 pre-req at a time. You really really really need A's in those 4 pre-reqs. Take 1 pre-req with 1 or 2 gen ed classes; put most of your focus on the 1 pre-req & just plan on passing the gen ed classes because they don't require A's. Although, if you can get A's on everything-Good for you! Makes for a nice GPA!

Also, if you plan on a transfer to a 4 year college at a later date, make sure you sign up for classes that will transfer. I took a 3-credit Micro class & it isn't worth anything at any 4 year schools. I'll end up repeating Micro with a 4 credit class.

Good plan on finishing everything before starting NS! We've got some nursing students who still have to take ANP 201 or Chem & that's the last thing they want to be dealing with right now.

RNwntaB · Feb 18, 2009

Thank you RNwntaB and Congrats on Completeing most of your courses!!! So are you taking A&P in columbus? And could you tell me a little about Technical writing and Interpersonal communication? And how do the online courses work exactly...do you have to log in to a specific time or can you do it whenever? Are you completeing all your courses before applying to the RN program?

I am taking A&P in Columbus.

I really have been enjoying my Technical Writing course. We have some Discussion Board posts and have had some different business type writings we've had to submit (memos, letters, etc). Everything has been online & has not required any trips on campus for tests or anything.

The Interpersonal Communication wasn't too bad either. We did write several papers (I believe one was explaining how to do something and one was comparing two items that were similar). I think the hardest part of the this class was learning how to format our citations correctly, but this depends on the teacher's expectations. I believe everything in this class was online & did not require any trips to campus for anything either. (I took this class because the other COMM class required students to video themselves giving speeches and then submitting them for grades)

All of the online classes I've taken have a course calendar that outlines when the work is due. We never have to log in at a "certain time", but do have to observe the due dates. In Technical Writing, our due date is Sunday night at 11:55pm.

I am taking all of my classes before applying to the RN program...

That was my original goal. But then the past two semesters I have been a little impatient & thought I'd go ahead & apply and finish my gen eds while taking nursing classes. NOW I'm re-focused and will definitely finish my gen eds before starting nursing school. The classes I have left would not allow me to focus on my nursing.

It has been a long, long road...BUT I know it will be soooo worth it when I'm done. My kids are 8 & 4, so I've been doing things this way in hopes of not taking too much away from them.

Feel free to PM me if you'd like more in-depth info about anything! I am more than happy to help in any way!

Again, Good Luck!

Nina2bRN · Feb 18, 2009

Thanks for the advice Jackson145, I'll definitely remember that when I start my classes! Thanks for responding.

RNwntaB Thanks again for the great info and I'm glad everything is going so well with your classes...good luck when you do finally apply to the program and thanks for caring enough to stay in touch. I do also have two babies...a 5 year old and soon to be 3 year old and I was wondering if you could tell me if I would be smart to take the classes I can online and take the ones I can't in class...but do they have evening classes in Columbus? My husband works until 3:30 and I have NO ONE to help out with them until he gets home. Oh and I don't work right now either of course. So I was thinking I could do my classes all online and take as long as I need to to get them done so I don't have to worry about not having to take so much time away from them either. I figured it will take me what about a few years to get just the general classes done...before the long hours for the nursing program and clinicals? My youngest should be in school by time that time comes around right? Anyway...thanks again for responding and I hope to hear from you again!

Oh and can I tell you that I'm extremely worried about doing the online work because I don't know if it will be easier at my own pace like you or in class where I can ask questions...do you like online better?

RNwntaB · Feb 18, 2009

I love the online classes. They really work around our crazy family schedule.

I think you'll do fine with the online courses if you start off one at a time to get the feel for it.

As far as I know, Columbus does offer many classes in the evening...The two classes I've taken have been on Saturday mornings from 8a to noon.

Since you are a SAHM, you may enjoy getting out an evening or two and going to class...I think either way, you'll do fine!

I highly recommend calling Ivy Tech & talking to someone in Admissions (or go in there one day once your hubby gets home). You will have to take a Compass test (I think that's what it's called) & it will tell them what classes you can start off taking. (You may need a refresher in English or Math, many people do)....

Keep me posted!

Nina2bRN · Feb 19, 2009

RNwntaB I'm glad you love the online classes so much...that gives me hope lol. I know I'm smart but sometimes I read some stuff on here and I start doubting myself...uggg! Your obviously very smart..too have all A's in your other classes and ONLINE...thats amazing! Your not one of them book smart nerds are ya? lol j/k. Anyway...more about the saturday morning classes...do you go just on saturdays, and just from 8am-12pm? I told my husband that and he got excited. We've been trying to figure out how to do this because he works from 6:30am-3:30pm and my son goes to preschool from 8:50am-11:30am (only 2 1/2 hours) but my daughter is here with me 24/7. I know it would probably take me atleast a good 2 years if not longer just for my classes and I'm hoping that my daughter will be in school by time I start the program and clinicals because their long I've heard. Oh and you mentioned time away...what's that??? lol. So is this compass test something everyone does then I take it? and it doesn't prevent you from getting in does it?

Sorry about so many questions..your the only one that has really answered a lot of my questions and I really appreciate it so much. I'll definitely keep you posted!

Teacher2RN · Feb 19, 2009

I'm currently at Ivy Tech in Richmond. I'm in the second semester of the RN program and only have one gen ed class left to take. I'm actually finding that just taking the nursing classes alone leaves plenty of time to take 1 gen ed class each semeseter. I don't recommend taking one during your first semester of the actual nursing program because it is very intense. There are only actually 7 classes after the pre-reqs so it is very doable to take 2 each summer and take one or two while you take your pre-reqs if you feel like you are a strong enough student. Also, keep in mind that you have to have at least 6 credit hours to receive financial aid if you're going to be taking out a loan. The nursing staff is really great on my campus about advising us on how to plan our classes. We have one person in our class who hasn't taken any yet and she plans to cram them in over the summer and during the second year of the program. She's been advised that it can work due to the amount of time we're scheduled to be in class. That's the determining factor. The nursing faculty is probably your best resource.

RNwntaB · Feb 19, 2009

RNwntaB I'm glad you love the online classes so much...that gives me hope lol. I know I'm smart but sometimes I read some stuff on here and I start doubting myself...uggg! Your obviously very smart..too have all A's in your other classes and ONLINE...thats amazing! Your not one of them book smart nerds are ya? lol j/k. Anyway...more about the saturday morning classes...do you go just on saturdays, and just from 8am-12pm? I told my husband that and he got excited. We've been trying to figure out how to do this because he works from 6:30am-3:30pm and my son goes to preschool from 8:50am-11:30am (only 2 1/2 hours) but my daughter is here with me 24/7. I know it would probably take me atleast a good 2 years if not longer just for my classes and I'm hoping that my daughter will be in school by time I start the program and clinicals because their long I've heard. Oh and you mentioned time away...what's that??? lol. So is this compass test something everyone does then I take it? and it doesn't prevent you from getting in does it?
Sorry about so many questions..your the only one that has really answered a lot of my questions and I really appreciate it so much. I'll definitely keep you posted!

ha! I am definitely not one of those book smart nerds...I only dream of being one! :bugeyes:

I think doubting yourself is normal. At least I hope it's normal...

It seems like I go through that every few months or so! lol

The compass test is something everyone has to take to enroll at Ivy Tech....I have never heard of it preventing anyone from getting in, you would maybe have to take some brush-up courses before you take any courses that are for college credit...

As far as the Saturday classes, I only go on Saturday from 8am to 11:50a (sometimes we get done earlier & can leave if we want or we can stay & study or work on our assignments)...Of course we have homework and we do have some assignments we have to submit online, but the class does not require any other time on campus.

Have you checked out the Ivy Tech website? They are starting to get the Summer & Fall courses posted.

You can pick what days/times would work for you or you can view all days/times....

Go to www.ivytech.edu/columbus (the home page has the links for you)....

Looking at the site may help you "plan" things out a little more.

I really believe if you go & talk to someone in Admissions & take the Compass test, you will get so many things answered. I remember feeling like you & once I took the Compass test & enrolled in my first class, I finally felt at peace.

Another poster talked about Financial Aid....This is one thing I don't know anything about since I have mainly been taking 1 class per semester....I have also been fortunate enough to get a job that pays my schooling. Sorry I can't offer any advice in the finance part of it...I know it was hard to budget the classes & books before I started my job.

I am excited for you! :yeah:

Nina2bRN · Feb 19, 2009

Teacher2RN - thanks so much the the helpful information on the classes and the financial aid. I never knew that you had to have a certain amount of credit hours to receive financial aid. I guess that's something I will be looking into because I certainly don't have a job or any other type of income besides my husband. I'm really just afraid that their going to say he makes too much and I don't qualify...that would be sooo disappointing. Thank you for responding to my post and Congrats on being on your SECOND sem. at nursing school...that is awesome!!!

RNwntaB - I've looked on their website a few times and requested info for the ASN and LPN program but I haven't received them in the mail yet, but that's pretty much all I've looked at besides what classes I would need to take for both programs. I've been on Ivy Tech's message boards a few times to get some help but I haven't called them or talked to anyone yet. It sounds stupid but I guess I'm just afraid of starting something and knowing that once I'm in it...im in it and that's the end of my social life (not that I have one lol...but I have two babies). Does that sound crazy? Oh and like I said I keep doubting myself because I've heard sooo many horrible stories about the classes and teachers and I'm such a sensitive person, but yet I could see me working my butt off and taking my dream job as a nurse in L&D...I don't know. I guess I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and do something instead of ask so many questions huh? I really appreciate every bit of info you have given me and I really hope to keep in touch with you. Do you live near Columbus or are you just going there for your class?