BLOOMINGTON – Lauren Lane began her career as a patient care assistant in December 2017 at IU Health Bloomington Hospital in the oncology department. Lane is a current student and plans to graduate from Ivy Tech with an Associate of Science in Nursing in May 2018.
Lane graduated from Martinsville High School and enrolled at Ivy Tech in 2013. An avid runner, Lane soon transferred to Indiana University in Kokomo to pursue a cross-country scholarship, but soon decided it was not for her.
“It just wasn’t a good fit for me,” she said. “I liked Ivy Tech for the small classes and the teachers were relatable. I felt like I was getting the same quality as other schools with less cost.”
Lane moved back to Martinsville in 2015 and enrolled at Ivy Tech’s Bloomington campus to pursue degrees in nursing and general studies. She later began working part-time in the registrar’s office in 2016.
“I have always loved helping people and decided nursing was a way I could do that,” said Lane. “All my teachers and co-workers have been really encouraging. I have a friend who stays after work hours to study with me sometimes and just having someone to study with has been nice, even though we’re not studying for the same thing.”
Lane credited her instructors and Ivy Tech’s nursing program for preparing her for her new career.
“I was confident going into the job interview, knowing I was a good candidate,” she said. “I was doing my clinicals at the hospital already so that gave me enough confidence to apply.”
As a patient care assistant, Lane works under the supervision of nurses and collaborates with other health care professionals.
“I am learning so much as a nurse in this new position,” said Lane. “Nurses on the floor are always showing and teaching me things.”
Lane hopes to transition to a nursing role in the same department at IU Health after she graduates from Ivy Tech.
“I want to stay on the same floor, in oncology,” she said. “My long-term goal is to be a pediatric oncology nurse, where I could work at Riley within the IU Health network.”
Lane also plans to transfer to Indiana University to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
“Over the summer I will study for my boards and finish general studies classes,” she said. “I’m staying on track to start the RN to BSN program in January 2019.”
Ivy Tech now offers a Patient Care Technician associate degree program to meet local workforce demands.
“I encourage a lot of people to look into the new patient care technician program,” said Lane. “The biggest difference between my job and nursing is that I can’t give medication, and I don’t make care plans for my patients. Nurses typically have less patients, and patient care techs fill in as needed.”
Information about the Patient Care Technician associate degree can be found online at ivytech.edu/patientcare.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
