Starting at Galen...tuition question

U.S.A. Kentucky

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I am starting at Galen in October and plan to do the two year program. I was told that if I sign a contract with certain hospitals agreeing to work for them after i graduate they will pay for part of my tuition. Has anyone done this or recommend this? I have researched it some and I know that Norton, Baptist, and Jewish all have things like this but with different stipulations. I don't want to feel like I am stuck somewhere. Also, I am not sure whether or not I would already have to be an employee at some of these hospitals in order to sign the tuition contract. Anyone have any idea what I'm talking about or am I just rambling. lol. Thanks.

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Oh, one more thing. Does Galen have specific scrubs you have to wear? Or a specific style? If there is a uniform I hope they don't charge an arm and a leg for it, lol.

Thanks again.

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

Hi- former Galen instructor here. If you want a really good hospital to sign an agreement with, I highly recommend Norton downtown. You can do a nurse externship with them during your RN year as well. The reason I recommend them is that I used to work there, and I know they have the best ratios in town. You may also want to consider Kosair if you want to do peds. Baptist East is also good, from what I hear, and they have a very low turnover rate, so it must be true. U of L Hospital also has a scholarship program as well, if you want to work in trauma. I would suggest checking out the hospitals while you're in clinicals, and see which one you think would be the best fit for you. Believe me, you'll find out real quick where it is you don't want to work. ;) You do not have to be a current employee to sign up for scholarships, etc. but they will want you to sign a contract to work for them after you graduate. Lots of students work at the hospitals as nurse aides after their first semester is complete, and that will provide you with hospital experience, plus you'll get a flexible schedule that works around your school responsibilities.

As for uniforms- you're only required to get 1 pair of whites (including lab coat), but I suggest getting more, because you will have to wear your whites not only during clinicals, but in the lab as well. I also heard a rumor that they are considering making the students wear them in class, too. They've had problems with people not conforming with the dress code. If I remember correctly from what students said, the uniforms are not cheap.

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Hi- former Galen instructor here. If you want a really good hospital to sign an agreement with, I highly recommend Norton downtown. You can do a nurse externship with them during your RN year as well. The reason I recommend them is that I used to work there, and I know they have the best ratios in town. You may also want to consider Kosair if you want to do peds. Baptist East is also good, from what I hear, and they have a very low turnover rate, so it must be true. U of L Hospital also has a scholarship program as well, if you want to work in trauma. I would suggest checking out the hospitals while you're in clinicals, and see which one you think would be the best fit for you. Believe me, you'll find out real quick where it is you don't want to work. ;) You do not have to be a current employee to sign up for scholarships, etc. but they will want you to sign a contract to work for them after you graduate. Lots of students work at the hospitals as nurse aides after their first semester is complete, and that will provide you with hospital experience, plus you'll get a flexible schedule that works around your school responsibilities.

As for uniforms- you're only required to get 1 pair of whites (including lab coat), but I suggest getting more, because you will have to wear your whites not only during clinicals, but in the lab as well. I also heard a rumor that they are considering making the students wear them in class, too. They've had problems with people not conforming with the dress code. If I remember correctly from what students said, the uniforms are not cheap.

I've heard a lot of good things about Baptist as well. I'll take your advice and make sure to pay attention during clinicals. Thanks for replying :)

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

Do you know if this works for LPN to RN transitioning as well?? thanks

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

It may in some areas, but most of the hospitals around here are not hiring LPNs any more, unfortunately.

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

Also for Galen, you have to buy their uniform from the compnay provided. Its not cheap, but about the average for uniforms. They do offer a uniform swap and you can also hit up former students for used uniforms. You definately need the lab coat for A&P and Microbiology. As far as tuition assist, Norton's has best help IMO. I'm not working for them, and I wish I was. The Norton Scholars Program is one of the best I've ever read about, and you don't have to be employed to get it.

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I too have heard about Norton's having one of the best programs. I also have heard that Norton is one of the hospitals too avoid, but that was just my friend complaining.

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Random.... are the white scrubs generally "see-through"?

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

LOL...nope.

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haha. Silly, I know.

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

LOL no, they're not. They're ok as far as uniforms go. I just wish they hadn't been white.

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