- Anderson
- Bloomington
- Columbus
- Evansville
- Fort Wayne
- Franklin
- Greencastle
- Hamilton County
- Indianapolis
- Kokomo
- Lafayette
- Lake County at Crown Point
- Lawrenceburg
- Logansport
- Madison
- Marion
- Muncie
- New Castle
- Richmond
- Sellersburg
- South Bend
- Terre Haute
- Valparaiso
The Traditional Track of the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree program is designed for individuals with no previous nursing education or licensure.
Preparation for the NCLEX-RN Exam
The ASN Traditional Track prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam, which is the exam taken to secure licensing as a Registered Nurse (RN). Graduates who successfully pass the NCLEX-RN exam have opportunities to obtain entry-level nursing positions in a variety of healthcare areas, including hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, home health care, physician offices, schools, and health departments.
Once admitted to the program, an Associate of Science in Nursing degree can be achieved in 4 semesters, or about two years.
Transfer as a Junior
Graduates of the ASN Traditional Track can also choose to transfer to a four-year college or university where they can earn an RN to BSN bachelor’s degree or an RN to MSN master’s degree in nursing. The ASN Traditional Track is designated as a TSAP program (which stands for “Transfer Single Articulation Pathway”), which enables students to transfer to Indiana public four-year institutions with automatic junior status. You can save upward of $10,000 by completing your first two years at Ivy Tech and then transferring to a four-year college. Our nursing program has partnerships with more than two dozen four-year universities and colleges so you can seamlessly transfer without losing your credits or time. Talk to our transfer advocates for information about continuing your education after completing your ASN degree at Ivy Tech.
Note that admission is not guaranteed just by enrolling in the ASN Traditional Track. You will need to be admitted to the institution you intend to transfer to. Learn more about Transfer as a Junior (TSAP) programs
Required Courses
ASN Traditional Track graduates must complete a total of 69-71 credit hours:
- 31-33 general education course credits, which includes the following prerequisite courses (program prerequisites may be completed in 1 semester):
- APHY 101 Anatomy and Physiology I 3 credit hours
- APHY 102 Anatomy and Physiology II 3 credit hours
- ENGL 111 English Composition I 3 credit hours
- PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology I 3 credit hours
2024-2025 information available soon!
Program Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are the competencies that Ivy Tech students should be well versed in upon graduating from the program.
Transition to ASN
- 57-59 CREDIT HOURS
- 3 SEMESTERS
- OFFERED AT 19 INDIANA LOCATIONS:
- Anderson
- Bloomington
- Columbus
- Evansville
- Fort Wayne
- Franklin
- Indianapolis
- Kokomo
- Lafayette
- Lake County at Crown Point
- Lawrenceburg
- Madison
- Marion
- Muncie
- Richmond
- Sellersburg
- South Bend
- Terre Haute
- Valparaiso
The Transition to ASN Track of the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree program is designed for students who are:
- Licensed Practical Nurses
- Medical Assistants
- Military Medics
- Paramedics
seeking to progress to the Registered Nurse (RN) level.
Once admitted to the program, an Associate of Science in Nursing degree can be achieved in about 3 semesters.
Transition to ASN students must maintain a current, active, unencumbered license throughout the duration of the Transition to ASN program.
Required Courses
Transition to ASN Track graduates must complete a total of 77-79 credit hours:
- 31-33 general education course credits, which includes the following prerequisite courses (program prerequisites may be completed in 1 semester):
- APHY 101 Anatomy and Physiology I 3 credit hours
- APHY 102 Anatomy and Physiology II 3 credit hours
- ENGL 111 English Composition I 3 credit hours
- PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology I 3 credit hours
- 25 credits from enrolled nursing courses
- 20 credits from verified credit once NSGA 180 and NSGA 181 are completed*
Verification of Licenses/Certifications
You will need to provide documentation verifying your current, active, unencumbered Indiana Practical Nursing licensure when you apply for the Nursing program and with each licensure renewal period.
You can get this information online from The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) through the following process:
- Go to https://mylicense.in.gov/everification/Search.aspx
- Enter your first and last name, then click “search”
- Click on your name in the “Sort Name” box to go to the next screen.
- Screenshot or copy the full license profile that appears on the screen below, then post it in the online application.
Program Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are the competencies that Ivy Tech students should be well versed in upon graduating from the program.
Long-Term Certificate known as a Technical Certificate (TC)
Practical Nursing
- 45 CREDIT HOURS
- 3 SEMESTERS
- OFFERED AT 20 INDIANA LOCATIONS:
- Anderson
- Bloomington
- Columbus
- Evansville
- Fort Wayne
- Greencastle
- Indianapolis
- Kokomo
- Lafayette
- Lake County at Crown Point
- Lawrenceburg
- Logansport
- Madison
- Marion
- Muncie
- Richmond
- Sellersburg
- South Bend
- Terre Haute
- Valparaiso
The Practical Nursing Technical Certificate (TC) is designed for individuals who aim to be a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). LPNs are an integral part of the health care team. Typical professional activities for an LPN include medication administration, wound care, specimen collection, vital signs measurement, and addressing patient concerns to physicians and RNs (team leaders).
The Practical Nursing program provides education in conceptual and technical nursing skills and graduates are qualified to provide basic care, under the direction of registered nurses and doctors, for patients in a variety of health care settings such as nursing homes, extended care facilities, hospitals, clinics, home health care, and physician offices.
Once admitted to the program, a Practical Nursing TC can be achieved in one year, or 3 semesters.
Preparation for the Exam to Become a LPN
Practical Nursing graduates are eligible to apply for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam, which is the exam taken to secure licensing as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Graduates who successfully pass the NCLEX-PN exam can begin their career in nursing or continue on to the LPN to ASN Transitional Track course of study.
FREE through Next Level Jobs
Practical Nursing is part of Indiana’s Next Level Jobs degree program, funded by the Workforce Ready Grant. You may be eligible for a free Practical Nursing TC. You are eligible to be a part of Next Level Jobs at Ivy Tech if you fulfill all of the following requirements:
- Are an Indiana resident
- Have a high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency
- Have not previously received a certificate in a Next Level Jobs eligible program
- Have not previously received an associate degree or higher (bachelors, masters, etc.)*
*Note: Students who are admitted to the Next Level Jobs program to pursue the Practical Nursing TC are required to pay for and submit to a criminal background check, drug testing, and physical exam.
Required Courses
Practical Nursing graduates must complete a total of 45 credit hours:
- 12 general education course credits
- 32 nursing course credits
- 1 Student Success credit (college requirement)
2024-2025 information available soon!
Earn Credentials Along the Way
Complete the Practical Nursing TC and start working in an LPN role upon obtaining your licensure. When you're ready to grow even more in your career, apply to Ivy Tech's LPN to ASN Track, and your previously earned credits will "stack" into your associate degree. In other words, you won't have to retake courses and will be able to get your Associate of Science in Nursing degree faster.
Program Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are the competencies that Ivy Tech students should be well versed in upon graduating from the program.
Program Details
Where Nursing Is OfferedNursing is offered at 23 Ivy Tech locations in Indiana. Each location offers a unique combination of certificate and degree options:
Campus Practical Nursing TC ASN Traditional Track Transition to ASN track Anderson X X X Bloomington X X X Columbus X X X Evansville X X X Fort Wayne X X X Franklin X X Greencastle X X Hamilton County X Indianapolis X X X Kokomo X X X Lafayette X X X Lake County at Crown Point X X X Lawrenceburg X X X Logansport X X Madison X X X Marion X X X Muncie X X X New Castle X Richmond X X X Sellersburg X X X South Bend X X X Terre Haute X X X Valparaiso X X X CT — Certificate (short-term); TC — Technical Certificate (long-term); WFC — Workforce Certification.
Note: Not all nursing degree tracks and certificate options are available for admission/start at all campuses every semester. Click to view Admission Semesters by Campus.
Where Nursing Is Offered Is Nursing Right for Me?Nurses Make a Difference
A nursing career may be a good fit for you if you like helping and caring for people. As a nurse, you can make a real difference in someone’s life. You can provide care and hope, sometimes during the most difficult time in their life.
In addition to being a rewarding and fulfilling career, additional reasons to consider nursing include:
- Nursing jobs are in demand
- Job security and stability
- No two days are the same
- Flexible scheduling
- Competitive salaries
- Challenging, fast-paced environment
A successful nursing student and practicing nurse requires the use of:
- Critical thinking
- Highly developed communication skills
- Competence in nursing skills
- Professionalism and a commitment to lifelong learning
- Ethical and legal accountability as a healthcare professional
- Ability to work in intense, variable, and sometimes stressful situations
- Attention to detail
- Self-direction, time management, and organization skills
- Compassion, patience, and the ability to deliver culturally competent care to diverse populations
Sound Like You?
If you identify with the traits above, nursing may be the path for you! Take the next step to get started or speak with your local advisor to learn more.
Is Nursing Right for Me? Important Considerations Before ApplyingThe Ivy Tech Nursing program can be a challenging, yet rewarding, program. Before you apply, review the following requirements and expectations for nursing students.
Time Commitment
The Associate of Science in Nursing and Practical Nursing programs require a major commitment of time and energy. Nursing courses are typically scheduled over 3-4 days per week. Students may also need to schedule additional general education courses as needed each semester. It is essential that you plan for the same amount of study time as class time per week. Nursing course schedules and assignment due dates will not be adjusted to accommodate individual work schedules.
You can expect to spend the following hours each week in active contact for your courses (based on 8-week courses):
- Lecture classes: 1 classroom contact hours per credit hour (so if a class is worth 3 credit hours, expect 6 contact hours)
- Lab classes: 2 lab contact hours per credit hour
- Clinical courses: 3 clinical contact hours per credit hour
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all class meetings, or other activities assigned as a part of a course of instruction. Attendance is necessary to maximize student-learning opportunities. Students who are absent are responsible for missed material. Clinical courses require that the student be present to effectively evaluate successful achievement of clinical course objectives and concepts, as clinical course objectives cannot be accomplished or evaluated outside the clinical setting. There are no make-up sessions for missed clinical hours; therefore, regular clinical attendance is mandatory for successful clinical course and program completion. These clinical locations may be up to one hour drive in any direction of the Ivy Tech full-service campus where you are enrolled.
The online application system allows students to apply to any nursing program and any location within the statewide system. Carefully consider the implications of being accepted to a campus requiring extended driving distances.
Mandatory Drug Testing and Criminal Background Screening
All nursing program clinical affiliates require mandatory drug testing and criminal background screening before allowing students to participate in clinical courses at their facilities. Results of these tests could impact your ability to complete nursing clinical courses and therefore, your ability to meet nursing program requirements for completion. Requiring criminal background and drug screenings ensures students meet the same standards as health care facility employees. Annual criminal background and drug screenings are required for all nursing students.
Eligibility for Licensure
Successful program completion provides students eligibility to apply to a state board of nursing to take the licensure examination (NCLEX-RN for Associate of Science in Nursing and NCLEX-PN for Practical Nursing). The Indiana State Board of Nursing (ISBN) application for licensure includes questions about criminal history, substance abuse problems, malpractice judgments, and disciplinary action on previous licenses and certifications. Students are encouraged to review the questions located on the ISBN application for examination. Similar questions are found on other state board of nursing applications.
If an applicant answers yes to any of the questions located on the ISBN application for examination they will be required to submit a sworn affidavit. It is possible that an applicant would not be eligible for licensure or face license restrictions after completing the nursing program. Read more about the licensure application
In addition, the state of Indiana will not authorize a graduate to take a National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX®) without a social security number. This is a mandatory Indiana State Board of Nursing (ISBN) requirement and applications to test cannot be processed without it. The United States Immigration and Nationality Act identifies that all candidates applying to take the NCLEX exam are required to be a U.S. citizen or be identified as a “Qualified Alien.” The U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act is found in the Federal Regulation 8 of the U.S.C.; Section 1641. In response to this federal legislation, Indiana Senate Bill SB419 became law in 2018 and provides for potential licensing of DACA and F1 in the state of Indiana. Students should seek their own legal counsel for concerns regarding these matters.
Nursing Program Student Requirements
The following are required for participation in clinical activities:
- Annual criminal background and sex offender registry screening
- Annual drug screening
- Physical examination and verification of essential functions
- Annual flu vaccination
- Up-to-date immunizations including Hepatitis B series, MMR, Varicella, Tdap, Diphtheria, Pertussis, and COVID-19
- Annual TB skin testing or other documentation for positive tests per CDC guidelines
- Documentation of current CPR Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers from AHA or American Red Cross
- Proof of ongoing unencumbered Indiana licenses or certifications for Licensed Practical Nurses , Medical Assistants, Military Medics, or Paramedics for the Transition to ASN track
Students interested in applying for admission to a nursing program should begin locating childhood immunization records early to ensure complete vaccination and physicals are submitted by established deadlines.
Students with disabilities are required to contact the college Disabilities Support Staff at the campus of interest for assistance in requesting accommodations (if applicable).
Financial Aid
Connect with the Financial Aid team at your home campus to find out if you can receive financial aid for the program of your choice. Make sure that you have completed the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by the established deadlines to be considered for financial aid assistance.
