Galen Tampa LPN-RN program?

Nursing Students LPN-RN

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I am currently thinking of applying to Galen in St Pete's LPN-RN program. I was curious if anyone out there attended or is attending right now. I know it is expensive, but I already have almost all of my gen ed's so the cost is nearly cut in half. I am also looking at SPC, but I probably couldn't start there until Jan 2011 and would not be finished until May 2012. If I started Galen in August, I would be done Nov 2011. That's 6 extra months where I could potentially be working as an RN. Plus, since I have the pre reqs completed, I would only have to attend classes on the days when the actual nursing courses and clinical days are, which is another good thing. Also, I am planning on going for my MSN after RN school. I wan't to bypass BSN if I can (already have a BA) I know UT in Tampa has such a program and so does USF, but I think UT is the only school that would accept Galen's credits. Am I correct?

Specializes in Memory care, Psych, Med Surg.

My advice is to stay on task and not get behind. Most of those we've lost are from A&P and/or Micro. I believe we also lost a few from Pharm (very tough) and CPE's. Thankfully I didn't have to take the sciences but I know students who struggled greatly with them. I struggled myself with Pharm but was able to pass with a high HESI grade. As far as the BSN or above, I know that there are many options (albeit pricey ones) such as Uni of Phoenix and Grand Canyon. Luckily I already have a BA in another field so USF will take me with an RN license and a non nursing bachelors into a MSN program. I plan on working for a few years as an RN, then perhaps moving forward when I pay some off this student loan debt. lol. Good Luck to you- it will fly by!

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I am currently in my 3rd quarter in the LPN-RN bridge at Galen, after graduating from there for my LPN. I loved the school during LPN, with all the dedicated teachers it was very helpful. I can say that I was a very lucky student having their LPN education, because I do not feel that the RN program is very beneficial. They are trying to get their act together. To have a wound care specialist teach a Child Bearing Family Class, as it will happen next quarter is completely ridiculous to me. At the moment, my Med-Surg teacher has a background in pediatrics ICU. Most of these teachers are unsure of what they are teaching that become timid, and cannot control the environment or snippy attitudes from students when they get a test question wrong. I dont mean to burst the excitement but I am very dissapoited with the RN program at Galen.

There are very many educated and wonderful teachers at Galen though, so I guess they outweigh the bad. I started clinicals in my 3rd quarter & visit the hospital once a week. I wish there were more time incorporated with Maternity and Pediatrics though, as we only have three days out of the whole 12 week quarter to attend clinicals. One day in Pediatrics, One day with Maternity, and 1 day with a daycare to see developmental growth. There aren't too many CPE's that the Bridge program does, they end with 2nd qtr. Which is AWESOME! :D And the preceptorship shouldnt be too bad, except that many locations are just for Med-Surg, no specialty floors what so ever. :\

I am going to finish Galen Feb 2012 and continue my education with either UT, or GCU. Two different routes but the only routes that are available at the moment. They are very close to becoming accredited that it will be very beneficial to you applying now. The best area around Galen would be on Gandy, St. Petersburg side. There are nice appartments on 4th Street. All within "bicycling" distance.

I hope you enjoy your move down, and know that Galen is a good school with some hiccups that I think they can resolve. Just study hard, keep focused and say goodbye to the next two years of your lifel. It's going to be a rough ride!

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Thanks Jess84.

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I am currently in my 3rd quarter in the LPN-RN bridge at Galen, after graduating from there for my LPN. I loved the school during LPN, with all the dedicated teachers it was very helpful. I can say that I was a very lucky student having their LPN education, because I do not feel that the RN program is very beneficial. They are trying to get their act together. To have a wound care specialist teach a Child Bearing Family Class, as it will happen next quarter is completely ridiculous to me. At the moment, my Med-Surg teacher has a background in pediatrics ICU. Most of these teachers are unsure of what they are teaching that become timid, and cannot control the environment or snippy attitudes from students when they get a test question wrong. I dont mean to burst the excitement but I am very dissapoited with the RN program at Galen.

There are very many educated and wonderful teachers at Galen though, so I guess they outweigh the bad. I started clinicals in my 3rd quarter & visit the hospital once a week. I wish there were more time incorporated with Maternity and Pediatrics though, as we only have three days out of the whole 12 week quarter to attend clinicals. One day in Pediatrics, One day with Maternity, and 1 day with a daycare to see developmental growth. There aren't too many CPE's that the Bridge program does, they end with 2nd qtr. Which is AWESOME! :D And the preceptorship shouldnt be too bad, except that many locations are just for Med-Surg, no specialty floors what so ever. :\

I am going to finish Galen Feb 2012 and continue my education with either UT, or GCU. Two different routes but the only routes that are available at the moment. They are very close to becoming accredited that it will be very beneficial to you applying now. The best area around Galen would be on Gandy, St. Petersburg side. There are nice appartments on 4th Street. All within "bicycling" distance.

I hope you enjoy your move down, and know that Galen is a good school with some hiccups that I think they can resolve. Just study hard, keep focused and say goodbye to the next two years of your lifel. It's going to be a rough ride!

Wow, thanks for all this great information! I was actually reading reviews on some web site last night and I would say 98% out of the 60 were bad. They complained about one teacher in particular whom they claimed didn't have a life so she took it out on her students. Have you experienced this? I am so nervous now after reading all the reviews saying that Galen just wants your money and the teachers don't give you a chance, etc etc etc. What to do??!!

:uhoh3: Kelli

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Kelaobie,

How is the progra for you so far? How is the computer class? I will only need the computer class and I think it was intro to nursing the first semester since I have some transfer credits. I'm hoping to be able to take micro as well. What do you think of Galen so far?

m

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Specializes in skill and long term care.
Hello! Yes I received an e-mail a couple weeks ago that they now offer the RN by itself. I'm glad to hear you like the program. I haven't visited the school, in fact I've never been to Florida, LOL! I am looking forward to it though. So tired of long cold winters! How do you like living in FL? I am on a web site called City-Data and some people seem to hate living there. Also, could you tell me what precepting means? I've heard it a lot on this forum, but I'm not sure what it is. How are the job prospects down there?

Good luck with your last qtr!

Welcome to Florida..I also moved from another state to attend Galen/Tampa Bay the LPN-RN program. I am presently in the program... housing is all about what you are looking for..apartment,condo,renting a house...the area that is not too far from the school is St. Petersburg,Tampa(if you do not mind driving over 30 minutes or more),Pinellas Park. When are you going to start?

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I start in Nov, I just moved into my place today, it's only a mile from the school. How do you like Galen?

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Specializes in skill and long term care.
I start in Nov, I just moved into my place today, it's only a mile from the school. How do you like Galen?

I like it but it is very hard..alot of work but since you have some transfer credits it might noy be so hard for you,but for a person who has been out of school for years than yes,it will defianitely be a challenge.

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jess84, I am a LPN planning on doing the RN bridge at Galen. I have done many pre-req's at a local community college. Did you have any trouble transferring yours in? Also, what was the most you had to attend per week, you mentioned going two days a week at times because you had all your general ed's done, I will be making a 45 min drive, that's why I ask :-) I have read many of your posts about Galen and they have been so helpful, thanks!

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Specializes in Memory care, Psych, Med Surg.

Oh thanks, yes I successfully transferred in:

English

Math

AP1

AP2

Micro

Humanities/Lit

I think that's all, I had to take the computer class and lifespan in the first quarter so I only went 2 days a week. I think they've since changed the schedule and also added more online options too so I imagine going 2-3 days a week through most of the program is doable for sure. I also drove far (from New Port Richey) to go to school so I can sympathize. When we had clinicals/preceptorship, it was 2-3 days a week plus maybe a day at school, so a bit harder to plan for. GL with the program! I'm so glad I chose to go there, it flew by : ) Feel free to ask any more questions.

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that's great! I will be transferring the same + lifespan but I will have to take math at Galen. I heard they are going to have some core classes online too? Either way, 2-3 days a week is definitely doable. Did they give you a pool of precept choices? Were most clinical in st.Pete or do they try to accommodate within reason? Congrats by the way! I know you are getting ready to graduate soon :)

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Specializes in VA, Ortho, Med/Surg.

Can't we take A&P at Galen? I dread taking it at HCC but I might as well start ugh.

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