Embarking on a career in nursing through a program like Ivy Tech’s can be both fulfilling and demanding. Similar to researching Techbridge Technology Career Program Reviews to make informed decisions about your tech education, understanding the intricacies of nursing programs is crucial. This overview, much like a detailed review, will delve into what prospective students need to know about the Ivy Tech Nursing program, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the journey ahead.
Time Commitment: Balancing Life and Nursing Studies
Just as tech careers often require intense periods of learning and project work, nursing programs demand significant time and energy. The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and Practical Nursing programs at Ivy Tech are structured to be immersive. Classes are typically spread across 3-4 days each week, and you might need to factor in additional general education courses depending on your semester schedule. A key aspect, often highlighted in techbridge technology career program reviews for their rigorous bootcamps, is the necessity for dedicated study time. Expect to allocate study hours equal to your class time each week to keep pace with the curriculum. It’s important to note that nursing course schedules and assignment deadlines are firm and won’t be adjusted for individual work commitments.
To give you a clearer picture of the weekly time investment in these intensive 8-week courses:
- Lecture classes: Each credit hour equates to approximately 1 classroom contact hour. For instance, a 3-credit hour lecture class will involve around 3 contact hours.
- Lab classes: These are more hands-on, requiring about 2 lab contact hours per credit hour.
- Clinical courses: Clinical practice is a core component, demanding 3 clinical contact hours per credit hour, providing real-world experience much like internships in tech programs.
Attendance: Your Presence Matters
Similar to the emphasis on attendance in immersive tech programs and bootcamps, Ivy Tech Nursing program expects students to attend all scheduled class meetings and any other activities integral to the course instruction. Consistent attendance is vital to maximize learning opportunities. While students are responsible for catching up on missed material, clinical courses have stricter attendance policies. Clinical sessions are indispensable for evaluating a student’s grasp of course objectives and concepts in a practical setting. Missed clinical hours cannot be made up, making regular clinical attendance mandatory for course completion and program graduation. Be aware that clinical locations can be up to an hour’s drive from your enrolled Ivy Tech campus. When applying through the online system, consider the potential commuting distance to your assigned campus.
Mandatory Drug Testing and Criminal Background Screening: Ensuring Patient Safety
Reflecting the stringent standards in healthcare, all Ivy Tech Nursing program clinical affiliates mandate drug testing and criminal background screening before students can participate in clinical courses. Positive results from these tests can impact your ability to complete the clinical components of the nursing program and, consequently, your program completion. These screenings ensure that nursing students adhere to the same standards as healthcare facility employees, emphasizing patient safety and professional conduct, akin to the background checks often seen in sensitive tech roles. Annual criminal background and drug screenings are required for all nursing students throughout the program.
Eligibility for Licensure: Paving Your Path to Practice
Successful completion of the Ivy Tech Nursing program makes you eligible to apply to a state board of nursing to take the licensure examination. This is your gateway to becoming a Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN for ASN) or a Licensed Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN). The Indiana State Board of Nursing (ISBN) licensure application includes questions about criminal history, substance abuse, malpractice judgments, and disciplinary actions on prior licenses. It’s recommended to review these questions on the ISBN application or similar applications for other state boards of nursing early in your program consideration.
Answering “yes” to any of these questions on the ISBN application necessitates submitting a sworn affidavit and could potentially impact your licensure eligibility or result in license restrictions even after program completion. Further, Indiana requires a social security number to authorize graduates to take the NCLEX® exam, a mandatory requirement from the ISBN. Federal regulations also stipulate that NCLEX exam candidates must be U.S. citizens or “Qualified Aliens.” Indiana Senate Bill SB419, passed in 2018, addresses potential licensing for DACA and F1 students in Indiana. Students with concerns regarding these matters should seek their own legal counsel.
Read more about the licensure application
Nursing Program Student Requirements: Preparing for Clinical Practice
To participate in clinical activities, nursing students must fulfill several requirements, ensuring they are prepared for the demands of clinical practice:
- Annual criminal background and sex offender registry screening.
- Annual drug screening.
- Physical examination and verification of essential functions to ensure you can meet the physical demands of nursing.
- Annual flu vaccination to protect both students and patients.
- Up-to-date immunizations, including Hepatitis B series, MMR, Varicella, Tdap, Diphtheria, Pertussis, and COVID-19, reflecting current healthcare standards.
- Annual TB skin testing or alternative documentation for positive tests, following CDC guidelines.
- Documentation of current CPR Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers from AHA or American Red Cross, a fundamental skill for healthcare professionals.
- Proof of ongoing unencumbered Indiana licenses or certifications for specific healthcare roles for students in the Transition to ASN track, acknowledging prior healthcare experience.
Prospective nursing students are encouraged to gather childhood immunization records early to meet submission deadlines for vaccinations and physicals. Students with disabilities should contact the college’s Disability Support Staff at their campus for accommodation requests.
Financial Aid: Making Your Nursing Education Accessible
Similar to financial aid options that may be available for tech career programs, Ivy Tech offers financial aid to eligible nursing students. Connect with the Financial Aid team at your home campus to explore available options for your chosen program. Ensure you complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by the specified deadlines to be considered for financial aid assistance, making your nursing education financially attainable.
