Roadblocks and Choices

U.S.A. Indiana

Published

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?

Hi Toni,

I dug up some information that may be able to help you. I have been going over your situation in my head all day and trying to do some research on solutions....

I noticed in one of your old posts that you are form North Central Indiana.

Have you ever heard of Lake Michigan College? It is a community college in Benton Harbor, MI. Benton Harbor is very near the IN border. Many student from IN counties do attend every day.

They will let Indiana residents of Laporte, Elkhart and St Joseph County attend at a tuition rate of $78.85 per credit hour. That is even cheaper than Ivy Tech. If you are out of that area you can attend for $105 per credit hour. That is only $25 more than Ivy Tech's $80.30/cr hour.

Yes they do have an ADN program that is fully accredited.They also have an LPN program. Yes they do take Indiana residents into the program.

Here is the website:

http://www.lakemichigancollege.edu/

I sure hope this will work for you....

Agape

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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.

Have you thought about theraputic massage or cosmetology? As a cosmetologist, you could work with skin care or electrolosis. You could work for a day spa, salon or for yourself and the ability to make money is definately there!! In order to be truly good at any of the above, you need to have really good nursing skills. Think about it... adn GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nancy2

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Specializes in lots of different areas.

but a doula? I ran across it the other day while browsing around since I would love to work in Labor and Delivery one day. Childbirth has always fascinated me. Have you ever looked into being a doula? The reason I ask is because it's all private, you do it on your own, there are not alot out there, and plenty of women need a doula! The training has nothing to do with a college, and you could even have your own business...And for the work, the money sounds decent..

sorry, just a thought. I'm thinking of ya!!

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Hi everyone, thinking of going to Marion school of nursing. Does anybody have any info on them as far as competing to get in, gpa's, or no competition at all....just pay and you're in?

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Hi everyone, thinking of going to Marion school of nursing. Does anybody have any info on them as far as competing to get in, gpa's, or no competition at all....just pay and you're in?

The thing about Marion and other private schools is that they are so expensive that it really limits competition. However, that's good news if you can afford the tuition.

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I don't live near the Michigan border and it is still a competitive program just like Ivy Tech - might take years to get into. Looked at massage therapy - Indiana requires a license - 2 year associate degree program - again at Ivy Tech - again expensive and competitive and not in my location. Not sure massage therapists make alot of money in this state or there are many jobs - don't see alot of spas in this state. Not sure about the Doula thing - does it require a license? - training does cost some money and I wonder if you can make a living off of it?

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I don't live near the Michigan border and it is still a competitive program just like Ivy Tech - might take years to get into. Looked at massage therapy - Indiana requires a license - 2 year associate degree program - again at Ivy Tech - again expensive and competitive and not in my location. Not sure massage therapists make alot of money in this state or there are many jobs - don't see alot of spas in this state. Not sure about the Doula thing - does it require a license? - training does cost some money and I wonder if you can make a living off of it?

Well, I'm sure it is competitive, but I got in. I don't know if I will go though I am waiting on Rush and Valpo and to find out where my Honey will end up in August....

Good luck, I'll keep you in my prayers.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hi everyone! I went to Marian College in Indianapolis for my ADN (I was an LPN already). They have an excellent program. I too did not qualify for ANY financial aid. So...I took out a student loan ($11,000 for my four semesters) and did it. I rationalize that I would be making much more as an RN then I did as an LPN and that was enough for me. At the time, my husband was in the military and I didn't have time to get on the waiting lists at IUPUI. I know that IUPUI has some non-traditional programs as well. You might look to see if they have an accelerated BSN program (skip the LPN if you can). And...before I get jumped on, please understand I am not anti-LPN (I was one once too), just that the opportunities are severely limited both career-wise and money-wise. BTW, I graduated from Marian College in 1994 and our pass rate was 100% for the NCLEX.

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I looked at the fast paced/accelerated programs - very limited enrollment and again very expensive. I cannot get Student loans for a bachelor degree since I already have a bachelor degree in another area. The problem is there are not enough LPN programs in Indiana - that is what most poverty stricken Hoosiers can afford - I don't have 4 years of private tuition in the bank - can't get pell, loans, grants. I could get money (loans) for a master program though but not another bachelor program. Indiana does not have a bachelor (nonnursing) to master program. If I move out of state I will have to pay out of state tuition - even for LPN which most other states have long waiting lists too. It isn't just nursing programs that Indiana lacks - it is other medical areas too - like phlebotomy being part of the MA program and taking 2 years to complete (no summers included). Many medical jobs are recruited from out of state because Indiana just does not offer the programs or enough programs. I was interested in Lab tech also - only 2 Ivy techs offer it! Not in my location either. It makes no sense how they have classes offered in some place and not others. But they have tons of MA programs and we all know that jobs as MAs pay minimum wage to 7 dollars an hour for an Associate Degree - just not worth it for the tuition paid.

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A couple of the really expensive schools in the area offer private company tuition payment plans. They will dvide your tuition into 10, 12 or 15 month equal installments . No financial aid, no credit to qualify, nothing. There are a lot of new reputable companies springing up that will call your school and do it for you. That is how I am going to pay for my classes this summer at Northwestern and U of Chicago.

Yes I know a monthly payment is still alot, but maybe you can swing it if it is a monthly payment rather than one big lump sum?

A friend of mine just told me about this one. She is going to study at a community college this fall with the money.

http://www.jackkentcooke.org

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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

how are the clinicals done. i was looking at the page & i noticed that you had labs & stuff to be completed on campus. i could drive there once a semester, but more than that.

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how are the clinicals done. i was looking at the page & i noticed that you had labs & stuff to be completed on campus. i could drive there once a semester, but more than that.

you line up clinical hours in a hospital in your community. although it is your responsibility to get a hospital and preceptor to do your clinical hours with, deaconess does provide help in that area. the young woman i spoke with on the phone said they are about to get even more detailed in this area. that will really help out the student.

you attend an assesment session in st. louis once a semester. it is about 4-5 days and you are checked off on all the clinical skills. if i understand correctly you also get some in-hospital clinical time with while there so they can verify your skills.

the big drawback is the price tag. you can get financial aid though. for some folks the flexability makes the price tag worthwhile.

they did have some serious problems in the past, but the newer students say they have ironed out many of the wrinkles. of course some folks don't like the idea of online education. i've asked around and did quite a bit of research and never heard of a nurse not hired because they went to deaconess.

i would still check with the bon in your state for info. it is also a good idea to line up a clinical site before starting the program.

deaconess has become very popular in the last year or so. they get about 400 applications per cycle, but lots of folks like the idea of no waitlists.

agape

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