BlindMouse3

I agree. They said Ivy looks to see if you are a member when you apply to scholarships, I have no idea if that's true....but I take any help that's offered. = )

I just wondered if anyone else joined PTK, and maybe had their induction ceremony already. = ) I just wondered what the dress code was, or what everyone wore. I figure I'm going to have to buy something nice, but fashion isn't my strong suit. = ) I don't want to be over/under dressed. lol

I got the international edition for a different class, and found it to be the same, including diagrams, etc. However, I think I would be scared to do it with anatomy. You may try Craigslist when summer classes are over. = )

I know Bloomington's CPR class is acceptable--they told us about it at the Info Session, it's done by the hospital. I've signed up for that one, although I have a feeling it will be much much cheaper if taken anywhere else. You're in Indy, right? I did a quick google search and found a few--(but I know nothing about these programs) http://www.resqtraining.com/courses/bls-cpr-aed http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/Careers/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=49 http://bsafebready.com/CPRCertification.html Also, you might try local fire stations--they do First Responder/EMT classes, and one of the requirements is CPR for HCP. = )

I can't speak for anyone, I don't know about other colleges, and I know the question wasn't for me, but IS and I both currently attend the same school, but different campuses. This is the current point system: A-30pts, B-20pts, C-10pts--for the following classes: Anatomy & Physiology 1, Anatomy & Physiology 2, English, and Psychology. Added to that totaled score is the TEAS score (somewhere between 70-100, must pass all sections). You get 3 residence points for applying in your home region. (Other classes are assigned a 1pt value, but ONLY used as a tie-breaker) That's it. That's the entire admission process. Do better than your peers. = ) Overall, I am satisfied with the classes that they chose, because obviously all of those classes are important. However, the one major problem is that one can get stuck in the cycle. In every one of my classes, it seems there are several people having to retake a class because they got ONE B. (no - or + used). Another problem is there's no real GOAL to hit. There's nothing you can do, complete, cross off the list, that lets you know for SURE you are in. It all depends on everyone else, and how the tally turned out. (Which drives me CRAZY!) But, I'm sure this is the most universally applied "fair" they could come up with. --This leads to really depressing information sessions (which are required at each campus to which we apply.) They pretty much tell you it's all but impossible to get in, would we like to apply for some other health-related occupation instead? Keeping the points system, what would I change? I would add: -- Points given for CNA/EMT/previous health care experience. I'd just like to see that COUNT for something. Not a lot, maybe 5 or 10 points, just enough to add something to the score and give a bit more of a chance. -- TEAS review sessions. Free or student-paid. --Points for other classes automatically given the 1pt, maybe stagger that as well. 1.5 pts for A's, 1.0 pts for B's, .5 pts for C's. --But what I'd REALLY like to see is more support, more guidance than "Get as many pts as you can, and then we'll talk." More encouragement. I have to add, somewhat selfishly, that I wished we DID have an essay criteria. = )

IS, I wonder....are you comparing public and private schools? I'm not sure what the second school is. Private schools can afford to be a little more "whole person" because of the tuition that they charge! = ) Here's a few other things that I wondered-- Could the people that are competitive, cutthroat, etc. in school, actually be great, compassionate nurses? I think so. Sometimes situations change people. One has to try to roll with the punches on their behavior. I'm horribly non-competitive, but knowing that I can't just sign up and walk right in has really pushed me to acheive. The second thing I wonder is--once one is actually IN the nursing program, maybe there is still pressure to excel (which is good) but not so much COMPETITION. I have a feeling that most people in the program are close knit, and kind of like "boot-camp buddies". In the program, I have a feeling people WANT a student (and their peers) to succeed.

Just conversations with a few other applicants that admitted as much. = ) And I agree with the previous posters who stated that there really isn't one universal way to test for all the qualities of what makes a good nurse. I honestly think that schools do their best with selecting students, be it a points-based system or not. Curiousme has made excellent points, when there are 500 applications and 60 slots, there has to be formalized criteria in place--even if it does seem like a cold way to do it. Congratulations to EVERYONE who has worked hard. I am applying in September (with a 4.0 if my hard work pays off, and a little luck). Although my school has stated that a 4.0 in Nursing is next-to-impossible (3 people in 15 YEARS?!) I hope I will beat the odds as you have.

I think it works both ways, I don't think those with a competitive nature are necessarily the ones without compassion. However, at a points school myself, it is a dreadfully fair, cold system. I think some people of a competitive nature ENROLL in the program, just because it IS the "exclusive major" on campus, however. Strangely, it is a relatively new way of selecting people for the program at my school. I knew several people that are nurses--great ones--that NEVER could have gotten in if the program had been based on points when they enrolled. I worry about the economy...nursing is attracting people that actually have no interest in NURSING.....just $$.

I was including that prof, but believe it or not, she's not the worst I've had. The worst one, I wondered if, for some odd reason.....she just packed up one day and went to Alaska, none of the students would have known until we didn't get our grades at the end of the semester. But, I've also had EXCELLENT professors. I wonder if it's simply a personality issue--I feel more comfortable in a friendly environment that allows/encourages expression and discussion. (It kicks in the perfectionist in me.) In a learning environment that is JUST material and logic....I have to fight my brain not to go "Eh, Whatever". lol I'm sure other students view the stuff I find a necessity as "extra junk" and "going off track". I have come to enjoy the DB's though......even though they're not interactive. At least we have some way to prove that we're actually reading! Have you taken the first big test yet? I'm gonna brave it when the little one goes down.

I was just curious if Ivy Tech allowed a few days for auditing/sitting in on nursing classes. Rather than pick the Ivy Tech I live near as my preferred choice, I wonder if I should pick based on instructor teaching style/general "feel" of the program. Even though I've gotten all A's so far, I always seem to actually learn more and enjoy more from the instructors that are friendly, open, and care for the students--in addition to teaching the material--than I do from teachers that are aloof, material-only, and don't show much "personality". (Amazingly, this shows with online courses as well as face-to-face classes) Granted, I'm sure that all campuses have a variety of instructors with varied teaching styles, but I wonder if the general "feel" of the nursing program will tell me yay or nay. Anyone else thought this? Maybe I worry too much.

I've never minded needles. However, I did learn a very important lesson regarding needles and modesty when I was around 10 years old. When someone tells you to have a poison ivy shot in the bee-hind rather than in the arm.....you should listen. My arm felt crippled for days.

I just finished 8-week A&P 101 online through Gary. There are several labs in the class, most of them involve buying things at the store and using the tools in the lab kit. There is a lab quiz for each section that you take after you've finished the chapter, lab, and activities. It was a very hard class, but I (and another person I conversed with online) got an A. Someone else I spoke with said it was the first bad grade she'd ever gotten. The email I received at the beginning of the class said that it had an 80-90% failure rate. There weren't any bonus points/extra credit offered the entire class. There are two proctored exams, the first one.....and the 100 question final. The final has to be passed at 65%, or you don't pass the class, no matter how many points you've gotten. From what I've heard, the finals in the face to face classes aren't that rigorous, and there's an opportunity for extra credit. I would take it online again....I'm taking 102 online......but I know a few people who regret doing that. Hope that helps!