Got into Galen College of Nursing's LVN to RN!

David Offenbaker, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2009

I'm sure like my nursing school they tell you to start in Med/Surg-- which is a good idea. I was in Med/Surg at Baptist Downtown and truly hated it. I didn't get precepted very well, and was left to my own devices within a couple weeks. :bluecry1:

I lasted 3 months at downtown Baptist and am currently at Compass Hospital now. It's a GREAT place to learn. You get vent, TPN, wound care, complicated drips, and ICU experience all rolled into one. I wouldn't trade this last year for anything.

Why did I choose Galen? I did for a few reasons. In the past year and a half I've met so many students who were new graduates. The one thing I noticed about a lot of good nurses was that they all went to Galen. I quickly heard they were trying to get an RN program going. A friend of mine who graduated there in '03 highly recommended it, so I looked into it. I took a tour and was blown away. My nursing school all took place in a small town and we had limited hospital experience. I knew with Galen I'd get a well-rounded education. The costs is high, but I've heard horror stories from new RN's who graduated from SAC :down: . They STRONGLY discouraged me from attending SAC and said many of the teachers loved to fail students. I don't know that is the honest truth, but I've heard that from many graduates time and time again. I decided to play it safe and go for the program that had high marks from former students. :twocents:

How about you? Why'd you choose Galen?

Dave

southeRNyankeee · Jan 13, 2009

Well I was new to San Antonio so I didn't know a whole lot about any of the schools. Galen seemed to have a good NCLEX pass rate, and when I looked into it I saw they had a (new) evening program without a wait list. That way, I wouldn't have to worry about daycare, and wouldn't have to wait around for an acceptance letter.

For the bridge program I looked at SAC and UTHSC. Neither of them fit my timeline or my schedule. I like that Galen starts a new class every three months.

I've heard horror stories about SAC, and I've heard from nurses who loved it. Me? I don't like how they choose who gets their spots, and I could be halfway done at Galen (the bridge program) before I even get a yay or nay from SAC. I plan to start in August so that I can finish up my prerequisites and spend the summer with my kids, oh and work!

Good luck! I think you're gonna like it. I'm going to keep my eye on you so you can give me the heads up when I'm ready to start :up:

David Offenbaker, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2009

hey there,

did you know uthsc-sa no longer has their lvn to rn program? they just admitted their last class. they said they may offer it again, but they're evaluating their curriculum for some reason. so even if you're an lvn you'd have to start at the very beginning as if you were never a nurse. crazy, huh?

i know quite a few people that applied for sac and never even got a denial letter-- they never heard anything and figured they weren't even considered. i don't like that. at least with most schools if you don't get in they will let you know why you didn't and how you can better your chances the next go-around.

did you know that del mar in corpus christi has what they call their e-line program? all your classes are online and all your clinicals (except a pedi clinical) can be taken up here in san antonio at the nix? kinda neat. just not sure i'd want to go the whole online/distance thing (that's why i didn't want to chance it with excelsior college). :no:

keep an eye out for me-- i'll be around. feel free to email me. :typing

talk to you later!

dave

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statuspending · Jan 22, 2009

i'm moving to san antonio from el paso and am a new lpn graduate. Is galen within 15 driving minutes from ft. sam houston?

David Offenbaker, BSN, RN · Jan 23, 2009

It's no more than a 15-20 minute drive to Galen from Ft. Sam. :-)

Dave

lisak218 · Feb 11, 2009

How long is the evening program? What are the hours?

Thank you!

David Offenbaker, BSN, RN · Feb 12, 2009

How long is the evening program? What are the hours?
Thank you!

They don't have an evening RN program-- just days. You can complete it in 5 or 6 quarters (15 or 18 months). I opted for the 18 month so I can still work. This quarter I only go Tuesday/Thursday from 1-2 and Wednesday 8-5.

Dave

lisak218 · Feb 12, 2009

Does anyone know more about why they only have initial approval from the Texas Board of Nursing? I wonder when they will have full approval...

Thank you!!

southeRNyankeee · Feb 14, 2009

The way I understand it is that Galen has to have x number of students graduate and pass the NCLEX-RN before they can get full approval/accreditation. I think the first RN class started in Nov (?) so the first graduation class won't be until Jan 2010 or so.

mantosee · Mar 6, 2009

What entrance exam is required for Galen and how can one prepare for it?

David Offenbaker, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2009

Their entrance requirements

David Offenbaker, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2009

Their entrance test isn't bad at all. It's actually not any worse than the one I took when I entered LVN school (not a Galen LVN graduate). They have the study guide available at their main office in the medical center.

Dave