Galen College of Nursing[ 2 Year RN @ St pete FL Campus]

JenileeAshe · Apr 13, 2013

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to post a bit about myself. I am currently Attending St Petersburg College (SPC) They let my finish my semester at SPC which ends around the 25th and also begin at Galen this April 15th. So that worked out great didnt want to lose out on any of the classes i paid for and was less than a month from completing. Any way I have been attending SPC for over a year and half now taking all the pre reqs for there nursing program. BTW some did in fact transfer to Galen. This semester will be my last at SPC if anyone is wondering if i was some how going to balance going to two schools. That would be somethinnn.... My first day at Galen is only three days away. SO excited and nervous!

The process that got me in..

Well firstly i contacted the school and set up a appointment to meet with someone who would give me a tour of the school and tell me a little about the school, answer any questions i had, etc. So the day of my appointment i met with a recruiter named (MODERATOR EDIT OF INITIALS OF RECRUITER NAME - PLEASE DO NOT POST IDENTIFYING/POTENTIALLY IDENTIFYING INFORMATION PER TOS), and he gave me the tour with four other people, and a packet when i left with tuition and fees list, how to take the little pre exam, the student handbook, student application and some other additional paperwork. I Called about a month or so later to take the pre exam (PAX) and they wanted me to pay over the phone, but also told me i could just show up and pay on the day i wanted to take it. So i went ahead and did that considering i wasnt sure if some crazy life impacting something would fall on that day. I wouldnt want to lose 50$ dollars for not showing up to take it. So took the Exam and it took me about 4 hours to complete it. Had every section separated by time slots, so you could stretch your legs after each section or use the bthroom etc. I honestly thought the test was extremely hard and didnt think i would pass it. It was defiantly nothing i could have really studied for. (BUT i'm up to answering any questions about the test if anyone has any.) So i made through the whole test and did in fact do really well/passed... to my surprise. Next step was to attend orientation where they talk about immunizations, order uniforms, and answer any questions you have. I did also meet the president of the Student Nurses Association (SNA) its a club that gives lots of extra benefits like over a thousand community service hours per quarter, a place to meet other students further in the program, who could possibly offer you cheaper books, tutoring, or help or even friendship. Also this group does a lot of things within the community, like this month they are doing the walk for diabetes. So i plan to join the group/club and stay involved as much as i possibly can. So next i got all my immunizations, drug test, CPR certification documents all turned in. Finally i met with Financial aid after completing all of the online packet information they had already emailed me. I set up my loans and signed the dotted line.. to start my journey.

Some stuff i forgot to mention above is i am 20 years old. No kids*, lives on my own with a boyfriend, who is also starting this program with me in April. He is going to help push me as i will push him to succeed in everything this program brings to us. We are both soooo excited and have been waiting for this day for a long time.

So cheers to all who join me in this journey! i cant wait to meet other students who desire/share the same goals as me.

Thanks, Jenilee:)

heydanixo · Apr 15, 2013

That is awesome! Please keep the updates coming. And when you know where your clinicals are and how they work I would be interested in knowing that as well. I am considering Galen if I do not get into phcc. Good luck!

JenileeAshe · Apr 16, 2013

Thank you! and good luck to you!

JenileeAshe · Apr 16, 2013

My first day... well wasn't much of a first day. I had one class and she cancelled. BUT needless to say i got my Student id card and i met some of the other new students before i went home to start homework that had already been assigned. so far i have a few discussions to answer, some vocab, and a few units to go over. Not to bad for my first day. I still cannot wait to see whats in-store for me.

ps, sorry not much to write about today.

Thanks, Jenilee:)

heydanixo · Apr 19, 2013

Hope your 1st week went well!

JenileeAshe · Apr 23, 2013

Hey guys!

Well my first week went really well. I am already slammed with assignments so i haven't had much time in between assignments and studying to write on here. But so far i'm loving it! The teachers are great, students... eh not so much. Not as friendly as i thought they would be. I guess everyone is to stressed and to serious to make any friends... no surprise .. i feel pretty stressed and its only been one week. But i wouldn't change a thang!

Thanks, Jenilee:)

Passion4Peds · Apr 27, 2013

Hi, I am glad you started a thread because there really hasn't been any recent posts about the school. I am weighing my options right now between several schools and I wanted to ask you what the entrance exam was like to get into the school, how long and what type of questions were they? I have heard some really great things about the school, and other people complain about it as well. How are you liking your experience so far? It would be nice to hear from someone who is going through it first hand. I am probably going to be attending the open house on May first for the July admissions.

Passion4Peds · Apr 27, 2013

(accidentally posted this twice!)

JenileeAshe · Apr 29, 2013

Hey emmarie92!

The Entrance exam took me about 4 hours to complete. It had three sections Science, Reading/vocab, and Math. Honestly, I did not think I would pass. I took a break about every hour to use the restroom and collect my thoughts. The exam was pretty hard but, when I got my results I more than passed the requirement score. (I believe the score is a req of 96.7% but it works out to be a little over 50% of the three sections) So in other words if you get a hair over 50% of everything right you’re in. The Science was pretty random stuff most people would take in high school. I would personally go take a day and do some practice science portions in some Pax testing books at like Barnes and Noble. The Math included lots of decimals and fractions and the reading/ vocab was basically main idea, and word knowledge in text. I am no good at crazy looking vocab and I managed to pull through. Oh and each section was between 60 and 74 questions. I am absolutely loving Galen so Far. I have no regrets. I know it’s a big step for most people and a heck of a lot of money. It's worth it! The way I think about the money is... All of the community colleges in my area are highly competitive and even then people still get left waiting years to get into their program. I was ready to begin my career like NOW. So all that time I would have been wasting waiting to get in I will gain in experience. So in other words this program will have you finished in 24 months and you have no idea if you would even have a chance getting into a community or university nursing program. So in two years you will be working and gaining experience which to nursing employers is way more valuable than money. Anyway,, sorry to get off track. I'm only in week three and there is a lot on my plate. I'm constantly studying because they are going over so much material in such little time. I took my first quiz in week two and got an 85%, this week I have two exams. I honestly feel pretty stressed because I’m sure like most people you do not want to just make it through nursing school, you want to take away everything you can from it and do the best you can and it’s really hard. But at the same time everything I’ve been waiting for...

PS, I hope I helped you out a little bit.. Feel free to ask about anything else

Thanks, Jenilee:)

Passion4Peds · Apr 30, 2013

Hey emmarie92!
The Entrance exam took me about 4 hours to complete. It had three sections Science, Reading/vocab, and Math. Honestly, I did not think I would pass. I took a break about every hour to use the restroom and collect my thoughts. The exam was pretty hard but, when I got my results I more than passed the requirement score. (I believe the score is a req of 96.7% but it works out to be a little over 50% of the three sections) So in other words if you get a hair over 50% of everything right you’re in. The Science was pretty random stuff most people would take in high school. I would personally go take a day and do some practice science portions in some Pax testing books at like Barnes and Noble. The Math included lots of decimals and fractions and the reading/ vocab was basically main idea, and word knowledge in text. I am no good at crazy looking vocab and I managed to pull through. Oh and each section was between 60 and 74 questions. I am absolutely loving Galen so Far. I have no regrets. I know it’s a big step for most people and a heck of a lot of money. It's worth it! The way I think about the money is... All of the community colleges in my area are highly competitive and even then people still get left waiting years to get into their program. I was ready to begin my career like NOW. So all that time I would have been wasting waiting to get in I will gain in experience. So in other words this program will have you finished in 24 months and you have no idea if you would even have a chance getting into a community or university nursing program. So in two years you will be working and gaining experience which to nursing employers is way more valuable than money. Anyway,, sorry to get off track. I'm only in week three and there is a lot on my plate. I'm constantly studying because they are going over so much material in such little time. I took my first quiz in week two and got an 85%, this week I have two exams. I honestly feel pretty stressed because I’m sure like most people you do not want to just make it through nursing school, you want to take away everything you can from it and do the best you can and it’s really hard. But at the same time everything I’ve been waiting for...
PS, I hope I helped you out a little bit.. Feel free to ask about anything else
Thanks, Jenilee:)

That helps me out a lot thank-you for taking the time out to give me that information I appreciate it. I am meeting someone from the school tomorrow and getting a tour, I still have a lot of questions. I LOVE the fact there is no waiting list and they don't look at your GPA to determine if you are going to be a good nurse or not. I am a lot like you, I want to start my career immediately and I am so excited to get educated in the health field. I am a little concerned that the school is not NLNAC or CCNE accredited because I really want to go on to get my bachelors, and this may be difficult if I don't attend a school with those accreditations.

we'll see.. I am going to do some more research on it, but so far the school is at the top of my list. Thanks again (:

eyesopen_mouthshut, CNA · May 8, 2013

Finally a thread for Galen!! Hey nursies to be, I'm hopefully starting in July, I can't wait!! Hope to meet you all soon, I'm super excited... As for the accreditation, they're getting theirs in June I believe.

How are your classes going?!