Roadblocks and Choices

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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?

Specializes in trauma/surg.
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.

No, you CAN get student loans for 2nd degrees. Not grants, but loans (Stafford and perkins). I am a 2nd degree student at Ball State and am getting my BSN (via the fast track). I start clinicals in the fall, it will take me 19 months. Yes, they only accept a few students, but if you meet the requirements you are usually in. I thought about LPN at other schools, but because Ball State offers this program for 2nd degree students it will take about the same amount of time for me. If you need other info let me know.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Pediatrics, Home Health.

Hi Toni,

I just graduated from Vincennes University in Vincennes, Indiana. They have an LPN program. I already had an AS degree when I returned to VU. I was able to get Pell Grants, Scholarships, and a Federal Nursing Loan.

Keep in mind, that I consolidated mine and my husband's loans from 1990. Total amount out IN MY NAME: $51,000.00! One of my classmates commuted from Indy. She has 3 children and works at Community North.

Another friend of mine, male, already had his BS in Engineering and was able to get financial aid from VU. He also graduated with me.

VU also has an excellent ADN program. If you have all your pre-reqs done, the program is 2 years long. However, the schedule is like this: Fundamentals meets the entire first semester [16 weeks]

My schedule was: Fundamentals

Monday 8-11.50 Clinical

Tuesday - Thursday 8-10.30 Lecture

Wednesday Clinical Lab 8-1.00

Notice that you are off Friday, and are done with classes by 1PM

Second Semester schedule:

OB [First 8 weeks]

TR 08:00-10:30AM lecture

T 02:00-04:50PM afternoon clinical

W 08:00-01:50PM This is your clinical day

Notice that you are off on Monday and Friday. In the gap between lecture and clinical, you could study in the student lounge

Med/Surg 1 Schedule [Last 8 weeks]

Same as OB except that you have a clinical Lab that meets

T 02:00-03:50PM

Fall Semester 2nd year:

Peds [1st 8 weeks]

M 01:00-01:50PM Lecture

WF 01:00-02:50PM Lecture

W 03:30-05:20PM Afternoon Clinical

R 08:00-02:50PM Day clinical

Med/Surg 2 [last 8 weeks]

Same as Peds

Spring semester:

Psychosocial Nursing [8 weeks]

TR 08:30-10:50AM lecture

T 03:00-04:50PM Afternoon clinical

W 08:00-02:50PM Day clinical

Med/surg 3 Same schedule.

By the way, this was my schedule, you can choose a schedule that fits your needs.

I had classmates commuting fron Washington, Indy, Terre Haute, several towns in Illinois.

It is easy to get in, they like to have people who have completed their pre-reqs before being admitted to the ADN program.

If you are worried about credit transfer, I had 27 transfer fronm ISU and all of my 1st degree English comp and speech were accepted.

To apply to VU send a $20.00 non refundable application fee along with your application to the Admissions office. Make sure you put down that you wantr the LPN or RN major with your transcripts and you should have no problems getting in.

Rent down here is cheap. I pay $600.00 a month for a 5 bedroom house + all utilities. You can get into an apartment cheaper than that. Most include utilities in with the rent.

If you need more information please PM me.

Here is the link to VU:

http://www.vinu.edu/

VU has an EXCELLENT Nursing program and FANTASTIC instructors who want to see you succeed.

Please do not give up on your dream. PM me. I will help all I can!!

__________________________________________

In His Grace,

Karen GN Graduated April 30, from VU on scholarships!!

Failure is NOT an option!!

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Hi, I just graduated from Ivy Tech Indy with an Associate of Science in Nursing on Friday May 5th 2005. I got all A's in my prereqs as well and I got a 30 on the NET test. I got right in. If you apply in the correct manner and follow all procedures you should not have any problems getting in. There were several people in my class that applied and got in and did not have straight A's, got a 20 on the NET, or did not even have all Prereqs completed. So I just dont get it. If you have taken the correct prereqs, taken the entrance test (I guess they are having studens take the TEAS test now, which I have no Idea about) and apply at the correct time, you should get right in. It is all about points, whoever has the most points gets in. You get a certain amount of points for an A,B,C for science/math classes (only math 111 counts) and a certain amount of points for non-science classes. You get points depending on the score of your TEAS test. Who ever has the most points gets in. You should call Elenor Sutton she is the Admin. Assistant for the NUR program at Ivy tech indy, I dont know her direct number but you may call Ivy tech main number 921-4500 and ask for her number. You also should talk to Jan Kramer, she runs the RN Ivy Tech programs in all of Indiana. You may email me if you wish to ask me any questions [email protected]

Sincerely

Adria

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.
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No lots of people with high scores/grades/points do not get into Ivy Tech even when they apply correctly!!!!!!! Not everyone lives in Indianapolis - other critera are used - and many more qualified people apply than are accepted. Ivy Tech does not have a waiting list - you must reapply each year! I checked with the home office and was told 800 people are applying for each available spot in the Lpn or AS RN programs each year! I am glad you were successful - but do not put down others who apply and are not accepted. I wonder if Indianapolis wants people who live outside the Indy area to apply - they expect you to apply in the area you live in first. I mailed my application to Indy and it was mailed back to the county I live in! I would move or commute if I have to just to get into a program I can afford. They try to get you to register for medical assisting to make money from you since there are not enough nursing programs. There are plenty of people who will teach nurses - but they want to waste their lab space on MA programs rather than nursing programs.

Hi, I just graduated from Ivy Tech Indy with an Associate of Science in Nursing on Friday May 5th 2005. I got all A's in my prereqs as well and I got a 30 on the NET test. I got right in. If you apply in the correct manner and follow all procedures you should not have any problems getting in. There were several people in my class that applied and got in and did not have straight A's, got a 20 on the NET, or did not even have all Prereqs completed. So I just dont get it. If you have taken the correct prereqs, taken the entrance test (I guess they are having studens take the TEAS test now, which I have no Idea about) and apply at the correct time, you should get right in. It is all about points, whoever has the most points gets in. You get a certain amount of points for an A,B,C for science/math classes (only math 111 counts) and a certain amount of points for non-science classes. You get points depending on the score of your TEAS test. Who ever has the most points gets in. You should call Elenor Sutton she is the Admin. Assistant for the NUR program at Ivy tech indy, I dont know her direct number but you may call Ivy tech main number 921-4500 and ask for her number. You also should talk to Jan Kramer, she runs the RN Ivy Tech programs in all of Indiana. You may email me if you wish to ask me any questions [email protected]

Sincerely

Adria

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No lots of people with high scores/grades/points do not get into Ivy Tech even when they apply correctly!!!!!!! Not everyone lives in Indianapolis - other critera are used - and many more qualified people apply than are accepted. Ivy Tech does not have a waiting list - you must reapply each year! I checked with the home office and was told 800 people are applying for each available spot in the Lpn or AS RN programs each year! I am glad you were successful - but do not put down others who apply and are not accepted. I wonder if Indianapolis wants people who live outside the Indy area to apply - they expect you to apply in the area you live in first. I mailed my application to Indy and it was mailed back to the county I live in! I would move or commute if I have to just to get into a program I can afford. They try to get you to register for medical assisting to make money from you since there are not enough nursing programs. There are plenty of people who will teach nurses - but they want to waste their lab space on MA programs rather than nursing programs.

Good idea....Sounds like this won't happen for you unless you make it happen. ... I will be pulling for you...

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I just recieved information from St. Elizabeth school of nursing. They have a program for people who already have a bachelors degree but, want to get a B.S.N. .. Anyways, they said depending on what your bachelors degree is in that you can get your b.s.n. in as little as 20 months. They also have scholarships available and their hospital will pay your tuition if you sign a contract saying you will work for them after you graduate.. I think you have to work there for like 2 to 3 years.. Anyways, thats always an option.. There website is: http://www.ste.org I forgot to tell you that they are located in Lafayette Indiana. I'm not sure what part of the state you are from but, just thought I would tell you about it.. Good luck! :)

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St Elizabeth is a 4 year program full time - no summers would take me 3 to 4 years - college way above any limits on scholarships offered or loans combined - hospital scholarship was for already employed nurses either lpn or associate to get bsn - not for non-nurse - also had age restrictions for being accepted. Ivy tech is slightly over price for full lpn - same as less than 1 semester at st. elizabeth. hence why ivy tech is only choice to put on charge cards.

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