Questions about Ivy Tech Bloomington...

[Fast]

WARNING: I'm a newbie with several questions, some of which may seem silly!

I plan to enroll for prereqs. at Ivy Tech Bloomington sometime in 2009 and have so many questions! Anyone who can answer ANY of these, it's very much appreciated.

1. How do you know what the maximum amount you can borrow (student loans) per semester is? My husband is a student (business) and hasn't been able to find an exact number for himself, either.

2. Were/have you been able to work full-time while being a student? Just during pre/coreqs. or the entire time?

3. I've read a bit on here about a point system for grades/program acceptance rather than a GPA. Other than grades, what factors into this (TEAS, etc.)? And what range is the goal?

4. Exactly how difficult is it to be accepted in the RN program at Ivy Tech Bloomington? I've heard horror stories about how competitive it is. Are only a set number of student accepted per semester/year?

5. When accepted into the RN program, do you have to take your classes in a specific order?

[Fast]

Thanks for all of the responses and information, guys!

Does anyone know much about Ivy Tech Bloomington's LPN program?

[kgle]

All I know about the LPN programs is that its 2 or 3 semesters...I think 3, I don't know...haha. But for the first couple semesters you are with ASN students and then you split off? Someone correct me if I am wrong.

I personally don't want to go the LPN route unless absolutely necessary. From what I have been hearing lately, hospitals are starting to phase out LPNs.

[Fast]

Thanks for the response, kgle. I'd rather not take the LPN route myself (I mean nothing offensive by that whatsoever, just a personal preference), but I'd definitely go LPN if I couldn't get into the RN program my first try. The Bloomington campus seems competitive enough with the RN program, so there's always a chance that I'd never get in or have to wait forever.

[jackson145]

I started the ASN program Spring '08.

We started with 10 RN & 20 LPN students.

Our lowest ranked RN student had a 4.0 on pre-reqs and a 87 on the TEAS.

1st semester, we had the exact same classes as the LPN's that started with us. 2nd semester, we had the same classes as the LPN's & we also took OB/Peds with a group of LPN's in their final semester(#3 for LPN's).

3rd & 4th semester, we have joined the LPN's that are in the transitional RN program & just took their bridging course this summer.

Every semester of nursing school, the nursing secretary has done all of the scheduling of our classes. If you still have co-reqs to complete, you have to work with the secretary to keep your co-reqs from overlapping the nursing classes. There has been no flexibility on when you take which nursing classes. There is a certain order that is followed. Hope this helps!

[coltsgrl]

kgle...LPN is 3 semesters in a row~fall, spring, and summer ....whereas ASN doesn't go in the summer

always apply for both! just in case. they do all of the ASN apps first, then go to the LPN and take out the ones who made it into the ASN prog.

206 was the lowest point total to get ASN this time around...or so I heard

[Fast]

Jackson145- Thank you for the detailed explanation of courses. You've given me a better understanding of the differences in programs.

coltsgrl- Yes, I would DEFINITELY apply to both when my times comes. Thanks for pointing that out.

Which brings me to a few more questions (thanks again for your patience, everyone)...

Does anyone know what the typical cut-off scores are for the LPN program?

Have any of you taken the LPN courses at Ivy Tech Bloomington?

Have any of you taken the LPN to RN bridge?

[kgle]

Thanks for the response, kgle. I'd rather not take the LPN route myself (I mean nothing offensive by that whatsoever, just a personal preference), but I'd definitely go LPN if I couldn't get into the RN program my first try. The Bloomington campus seems competitive enough with the RN program, so there's always a chance that I'd never get in or have to wait forever.

Yup same here, I will apply to both but I will only take LPN if I can't get into the ASN program (that is, if its offered to me!). Hopefully that doesn't happen!! I am going to at least apply to 3 campuses so I am hoping I at least get into one!

[Fast]

kgle- If you don't mind my asking, what other campuses to you plan to apply to?

Just curious because I live in Bedford and anything other than the Bloomington campus would be a somewhat wicked drive for me, but it seems that some campuses are easier to get into right away.

[jackson145]

kgle...LPN is 3 semesters in a row~fall, spring, and summer ....whereas ASN doesn't go in the summer

Actually, at Bloomington, ASN can have a Summer semester.

You either do Fall/Spring/Fall/Spring or

Spring/Summer/Fall/Spring.

Both classes end up graduating at the same time.

The Spring ASN starters end up having the Transition program students join them in the Fall. That is why only 10 RN students are accepted in the Spring start program, as compared to 40 RN students in the Fall start.

LPN is either Spring/Summer/Fall or Fall/Spring/Summer. LPN's get a pinning ceremony because their program doesn't conclude in May, which is when the college has its graduation ceremony.

RN's don't have a pinning ceremony. They are handed their pin at the graduation ceremony when they get their diploma.

[rehab3]

I'm out of training now 47 years--glad i don't have to do it again! Rehab3

[emsmom4]

I've been an LPN for 16 years and have never had a problem getting employment. I work for Bayada and do vent/trach private duty. Agencies love LPN's. We do the same job as RN's for less pay. You also eliminate the politics of hospital enviroments.

[labmom24]

When I went thru the RN program at I.U.East at Richmond ( back when Neanderthal was in diapers ) they only accepted 30 students per year out of, if I remember right, over 200 applicants. I'm not sure what it is now but I've heard that Ivy Tech at Richmond is about as competitive as I U.