pezamistik

This break could not have come too soon!!

I am a student at Ivy Tech in Gary. I think I saw on another thread you stated you have 3 B's and 1 A. This will give you a total of 90 points. You also get 3 points if you live in the region to which you are applying. This score is then combined with your TEAS score. I can't tell you how many points you'll actually need to get into the program since that depends on the scores of the other applicants. I think the Spring '10 program cutoff score was in the upper 180s for ASN. But once again, this score depends on the scores turned in by the other applicants. It could be higher next semester; it could be lower. My suggestion: Apply to both programs before you start retaking classes. If you are able to get into the RN program, you didn't waste your time and money by retaking classes. If you don't get into the RN program, you still have a shot at the LPN program. You will be able to apply for the LPN-RN transition program when you finish. I've heard the transition program is a little easier to get into since there aren't as many applicants. Good luck!

Oh, I have definitely learned to listen when friends and family tell me I'm acting a little off! My husband is very supportive and reminds me to stay on my medications, especially when I'm not acting right. He doesn't nag about it; he simply asks if I remembered to take them. The only time it's annoying and seems condescending is when I'm PMSing, but that's another story.........

That is a scary statement. If they pad the grades to get people through, what are these students going to do when it comes time to take the NCLEX? Speaking of which, what is their NCLEX pass rate? That is something that should be taken into consideration when you start a program, IMHO.

Thank you all for the insightful replies. My condition is under control with medications. Some of the medications I have been on in the past would definitely not have allowed me to go into psychiatric nursing (or even go back to school to begin with). For once in my life, I finally feel "normal." Because of my struggles over the years, I have been considering psychiatric nursing. I am just about to start an ASN program in January, so I still have plenty of time to make a decision. Another reason I am considering this specialty is because I love helping others work through problems. Since I've had a lot of experience on the "patient" side, I know a lot of the suggestions offered to patients. The field of psychiatry is also hitting home once again. My daughter, now a pre-teen, is beginning to demonstrate behaviors similar to my own at that age. I have been able to talk to her and help her through some of the problems she is having since I have "been there, done that." I have also been able to offer advice and suggestions to other family members and friends. Being able to help friends and family members has made me realize I have a great interest in the field of psychiatry. Thank you all again for the replies.

Do any of you psychiatric nurses have mental illnesses? Do you think this makes your job harder or easier? I am interested in psychiatric nursing, but I have a mental illness. I'm not sure if going into psychiatric nursing would be a good idea because of this, so I was wondering if anyone here could share their story with me. Any suggestions, comments, or advice would also be appreciated.

Psychiatric units in hospitals often have "no physical contact" rules preventing patients from touching each other, even if both parties consent. This includes the privacy of the patients' rooms, so I would have to say it should be stopped.

I took Abnormal Psych online, and it was great! I decided to take it instead of Lifespan because I am very interested in abnormal psych and mental disorders. We had to write a few case study papers over various mental disorders. Other than the case study papers, we also had discussion board postings and quizzes. I would definitely recommend Abnormal Psych if you are interested in mental disorders.

What part of Indiana are you located? That will help with suggestions in your local area. =)

I got an email invitation to join, so I paid the dues and joined. I also joined because I've heard it looks good on scholarship applications and on job resumes. The induction ceremony for Ivy Tech's Region 1 was this past Saturday. Dress code was business attire - slacks/skirts, dressy top, no gym shoes. Our ceremony lasted about an hour, and the inductees had to arrive an hour before the ceremony started.

I keep trying to talk my mom into going back to further her education, but she's convinced she's "too old" to do it, so I think it's great you are going for your goal! Good luck!

If you post this to your local state's forum, you might get more replies. Just a suggestion :) Good luck!

Thanks Emmi7! Good luck to you, too! Reading some of the other posts on here has gotten me quite nervous, as well. Originally, I was only going to apply to the RN program, but after becoming a bit discouraged reading the other posts, I decided to also apply to the LPN program. Maybe only getting accepted to the LPN program wouldn't be such a bad thing. I would be able to start working sooner, which would be a definite plus since my daughter and I just moved into an apartment with my fiancee. I'm sure he wouldn't mind me chipping in a little more towards rent and other expenses! Right now, I feel like such a free-loader! Of course since I've got one of the best guys ever, he assures me that it's okay because taking this time to go back to school now will pay off for all three of us in the long run. I still feel like a mooch!

I'm currently taking Micro right now, but I'm finished with all of my other pre- and co-requisites. I just have to finish Micro, then there's nothing left but the nursing classes!

I often doze off while trying to read ANY of my textbooks. It seems like ANYTHING I try reading puts me to sleep. I'll have to try a few of the suggestions mentioned, myself.