Why so few LPN Programs in Indiana?

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Why are there so few LPN programs in Indiana? Applicants are about 500 to 1 slot available. Ivy Tech State College has started alot of LPN to ASN transition programs but since there are not enough LPN programs - where can a person get their LPN in Indiana? You have to be an LPN first! At some point won't they not have enough LPN's for the transition program? I could even see doing an ASN program but they aren't doing that unless you are an LPN first. They don't allow MA's into the ASN program either. It is either high priced BSN which only graduate 20 students a year out of a 1000 or the LPN programs which are way to competitive to enter (even with straight A's and good test scores) or the LPN to ASN transition. How can a person get into LPN school in Indiana?

The reason you're seeing fewer LPN programs around is (or so I'm told) due to the "Magnet Status" Initiative... which in part eliminates the LPN in the hospital setting. There are still some good programs around, and I've heard that some places that got rid of the LPN cirriculum are bringing it back because the local nursing homes started screaming. Good Luck!

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Also wonders where you got the 500-1 ratio..........

Ivy Tech in Bloomington gets approx 250 applications for the transition program and they accept 12-15 students.There is no personal interview done at this campus, but you do need all A's to get an opportunity to be accepted.

Only stands to reason, they want the best, they are the most likeky to succeed.

Also they have alot of students on the waiting list and most apply to several schools, so there are always extra spots.

In the LPN program, they accept 133 students. And yes, you also need good grades to get in. Only stands to reason.

They only allow these low numbers due to the low number of instructors they have.

Try getting into IU. You have a 4.0 average before they even look at your app.

I personally think they are going to phase out the LPN anyway. They MA's in doctors office who do the same work as LPN's. In the majority of hospitals, they only hire RN's and medical techs.

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Of note, if you look at the total nursing grads from the LPN to ASN degree, they are mostly older students who have been an LPN for years.

Ivy Tech states their average age is 40!

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Specializes in Operating room..

I completed the South Bend program and there was no interview. Most students were 30 and over, our oldest was in her 60's (no age bias here). There was a lot of people trying to get in though (40 out of 900 got in). Only 27 seem to make it to the end of the program but the NCLEX pass rate is like 100%.

Lucky you for getting into a program. I have all the general and science classes completed, perfect grades and perfect attendence and great entrance exam score. Applied to many Ivy Tech campuses - but competition is 500 to 1 to get in! I have been applying for several years. Soon my science courses will time out and I will have to repeat them. Many people cannot get in the LPN programs or ASN programs and cannot afford the BSN programs at private colleges (the state college BSN programs are difficult to enter too). There is a definite edge for getting into the Ivy Tech programs if you are young too - they do have a personal interview component too. Which campus did you attend that you did not need a personal interview? My personal interview was very much about how they wanted young students. No I do not want info on financial aid either. My point is there are not enought LPN or direct entrance ASN programs in the state of Indiana - when applicants are 500 to 1 slot available.
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Specializes in ER, Med/Surg.

If you look at the date on the original post it is from 2004. Maybe the ratio was 500-1 at some campus. ??

I was accepted to the Ivy Tech Bloomington ASN program this fall. I was on the alternate list with mostly B's and one C, but a 96.X on my TEAS.

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Pat,

What kind of questions do they have on the TEAS?

I am curious. I am taking my pre-reqs now at Ivy Tech and hoping to get into the transition LPN -RN in the spring of 08.

Thanks!:nurse:

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Specializes in Physician office, Hosp, Nursing Home.

I had no truble getting into IVY tech in Valpo.....I scored well on the psb and got right in the prog...just grad this past dec...took the nclex on feb 7th....I had no interview and as for age that was no prob for me either i'm 45....I don't understand why you're having so much trouble...keep trying good luck 2 u.:)

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The 500 to 1 ratio isn't to far off base for the Indianapolis Ivy Tech ASN program. Getting in that program is all but impossible. It may not be as bad for the smaller cities but here their is an average of a two year wait list they are now telling students. My neighbor did all of her classes and got on the wait list and they finally called her and she was very pregnant and had to turn it down. Bummer but alot can happen in two years as far as babies, finances, husbands, relocations, and any thing else.

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Here's a few good things in Ivy Tech's favor:

1. They have LOTS of campuses. If you live in Central Indiana and are willing to commute an hour or so you can apply to at least six campuses that I can think of at the moment. Also, most campuses have both the LPN and ASN program so if you are flexible you can DOUBLE your chances of being accepted at each campus.

2. They do not give a preference unlike IUPUI for classes taken at Ivy Tech. I was told at IUPUI that even with a 4.0 I had exactly NO chance of being accepted because before they would even consider my application EVERY applicant who took their pre-reqs at IUPUI (and had the minimum GPA I think 3.0) would be taken BEFORE me.

I was accepted into their Indy ASN program on my first application. Granted, my pre-reqs were all A's (then again they only look at four courses), but my TEAS score wasn't out of this world either at a composite score of 89. I don't know how many applicants they had and have stated on many previous occassions that I think it would be a very GOOD thing if they would publish the characteristics of EACH accepted class (both LPN and ASN) in terms of average GPA, TEAS score (keep in mind they use TEAS for LPN now not PSB), and number of applicants who apply verses those accepted. More information would be better for everyone IMHO.

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I just got out of an info session for IVY Tech in Valpo. They are starting a new program in the fall where LPN and ASN will take the same classes starting out and then the PN's will just stop and the ASN's will go on. You do have to have the four pre req classes, and you do have to take the TEAS test to get in. This is something new and will be starting Fall '07. I am not sure if this is state wide but it is for this region. Hope that helps....

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I just graduated from Ivy Tech Bloomington LPN program in Dec 2006. Blloomington is also going to this initial combined track for both LPN/RN also.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

There is a new LPN school in Indianapolis, Medtech LPN school.

http://www.medtechcollege.com

Good luck!

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