Most of Bloomington's Ivy Tech practical nursing graduates go far - without leaving the area.
They take their skills from the one-year program and put them to use in local doctors' offices, Bloomington Hospital and Meadowood Retirement Community, among other locations.
And they'll already know the terrain.
Three days a week, the students do clinical work at the hospital and other health-care facilities.
On Friday, 32 students - three men, 29 women - officially became practical nurses in a pinning ceremony at Ivy Tech. The round, gold pin with the school name will be part of their nurse's uniform.
Finding work after graduation won't be a problem.
"All of our graduates are able to get employed," said Kay Leach, program chair for practical nursing and division chair for health sciences at Ivy Tech.
It may not be their dream job, she said, but the opportunities are out there.
Continuing their education is another option. The graduates can earn a registered nurse degree in one year's time as opposed to the standard two-year RN program.
The difference between an LPN (licensed practical nurse) and an RN (registered nurse) is the level of responsibility. Practical nurses don't work independently, and are always under the direction of an RN or physician.
Many practical nursing students would like to upgrade their degree but it's a matter of finding the time and money. Most of Leach's students are married, have children and other important responsibilities.
LPNs can earn anywhere from $12 to $18 an hour - they make about 25 percent less than RNs, according to Leach.
The practical nursing program at Ivy Tech is the equivalent of a 40-hour work week, said Leach, who will celebrate her 35th year of teaching nursing at the college next month.
The program boasts a perfect passing rate on the state licensure exam.
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