Puerto Rico school feedback - thread #2

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I don't know specifically for these two classes if you can test out of them but I have done it for other classes so you'd have to ask the the department head if its possible.

You can't test out of them but about half the class got out of either one or the other. Most people that had a Bachelors from a Christian University which of course requires taking religious studies classes got out of Christian Faith. Then some people that were history or poly sci majors got out of History of PR. But both are online and History of PR is the easiest class I have ever taken in my life. Plus it was interesting but it was definitely dumbed down.

mahi2010bv

1 Post

WorldTravelingYogi... Im new to the site but noticed you were in the Accelerated program at the inter.. How long is the program??

WorldTravelingYogi... Im new to the site but noticed you were in the Accelerated program at the inter.. How long is the program??

If you do the BSN as most do it is 22 months. Start in August and end May 2 years later, with a month off at summer, 2.5 weeks at Christmas and a week of Spring Break.

But you can also do the ADN in 11 months.

Evo5

20 Posts

Hi,

I'm also new here, so first off I'd like to say Thank you so much to everyone for all the great info. on this thread..

I am also considering PR for school and just had another question regarding life on the island.

I have recently been reading many reports about heightened crime and homicide specifically in San Juan/PR..

Aside from taking all the sensible precautions (not walking alone at night, staying out of bad neighborhoods etc), do you guys who are in the nursing program there find crime to be a big problem and something to worry about?

Thanks, I appreciate all the help this thread has given..

edibie

18 Posts

I want to introduce myself and also thank all of you who have posted so much helpful information! I know without this forum I would be quite lost. I applied to InterAmerican University for August 2013. I'm currently in undergrad and will be graduating in May with my bachelors so i'm hoping (and from what I read on here) I should get into the accelerated nursing program. The only thing I regret is that my application was submitted online and my University sent my transcript straight to the admissions office today and I still have to send my ss# which means they might lose at least one of my documents since they're not all together. But anyways I might use my spring break and fly down there to do everything in person which leads me to my 2 questions.

1. If I go there in March and complete registration and get accepted will I be able to register for classes for August or will March be too early to do so?

2. Anyone else planning to start in August 2013 or taking a trip to check out the school?

...

1. If I go there in March and complete registration and get accepted will I be able to register for classes for August or will March be too early to do so?

2. Anyone else planning to start in August 2013 or taking a trip to check out the school?

March may be to early to register but it does not hurt to go in person to take care of everything. It is much easier then trying to do it over the phone. Getting anything done over the phone in PR is very difficult. It is always better to go in person.

I would say wait until the June orientation but they are getting a bit stricter on admission so I would go Spring Break. However if your Spring Break is the week preceding Easter there would be no point in coming to PR as that is the same week the schools in PR have. No one will be at school and you will not be able to get anything done. It is Semanta Sana and they take it seriously.

But if you do have a different week I would say come down and take care of getting admitted. Then once admitted you can register a few days before school starts. There is a fixed set of classes you will take. My grade we only had one set and all of us were in the same class but the next year it was so big they had two groups of classes. My point is that you will get your classes if you register last minute. Since they started caping classes it is more important now to get admitted.

Hi,

I'm also new here, so first off I'd like to say Thank you so much to everyone for all the great info. on this thread..

I am also considering PR for school and just had another question regarding life on the island.

I have recently been reading many reports about heightened crime and homicide specifically in San Juan/PR..

Aside from taking all the sensible precautions (not walking alone at night, staying out of bad neighborhoods etc), do you guys who are in the nursing program there find crime to be a big problem and something to worry about?

Thanks, I appreciate all the help this thread has given..

I'll let a current student answer this. I was kind of oblivious while living there but I really don't think it is bad. I am from CA and went to high school in Half Moon Bay (whoo hooo, Mavericks Invitational tomorrow - first time in 3 years they have big enough waves to hold the competition) and would never think twice about being on the beach at night. Well in PR I lived 1/2 block from the beach and I would NEVER even think about going at night. I would say if you don't whip your iPhone out anytime day or night you are going to be safe.

edibie

18 Posts

Thanks so much WorldTravelingYogi! That's exactly what I was worried about, not being able to register for classes because they filled up already so I'm happy to here that shouldn't be a problem because after I visit in March I don't plan to go back until a couple weeks before classes would start. Luckily my spring break is the 1st full week of March so hopefully I can get everything done including finding a place to live.

Also if anyone knows how long the hep b shots are good for please let me know, I should probably be asking a doctor and most likely will but I heard that they last 10 years but I also heard that they are good for the rest of your life and only need it once.

Thanks so much WorldTravelingYogi! That's exactly what I was worried about, not being able to register for classes because they filled up already so I'm happy to here that shouldn't be a problem because after I visit in March I don't plan to go back until a couple weeks before classes would start. Luckily my spring break is the 1st full week of March so hopefully I can get everything done including finding a place to live.

Yeah they tightened up some stuff. So getting in isn't really an issue but slightly more of an issue then getting classes which is not an issue at all. Many, many people register days before classes start. Like I said you WILL get your classes. There is a fixed schedule and all the 1st trimester people will be taking the same classes. The only thing is maybe you will have to go to campus one more day then the peeps that register early.

Also if anyone knows how long the hep b shots are good for please let me know, I should probably be asking a doctor and most likely will but I heard that they last 10 years but I also heard that they are good for the rest of your life and only need it once.

I have always heard 10 years. Then you get a booster shot. You don't have to start the series over.

AlaBro2010

265 Posts

Specializes in Public Health, Women's Health.

The Hep B series is good for life. I give these frequently at work and a booster is a rare recommendation (like if you are undergoing hemodialysis).

Evo5

20 Posts

Hi,

Thanks World Traveling Yogi. I figure San Juan is probably like any other big city where you have to be smart about crime, I just have heard it's been getting a lot worse over the last few years.

Edibie, I am also thinking about going down there soon to check things out and apply in person. Good luck with your trip when you go.

Do we have to have proof that we have gotten the Hep B series before we are even allowed to apply to school? I am starting to gather everything needed to apply but have not had this done yet..I have read on here that it takes 7 months, but I was hoping to go to PR within the next couple of months sometime.

Also, do you think a 5 days (Mon-Fri) will be enough time to get everything done to apply in person? I know with "island time" it may take a while to do everythng, so I'm wondering if I should plan on more time to be there.

Thanks

tmp25, BSN, RN

40 Posts

Hey!

To all the newbies on the site, I'm currently a student at La Inter. (I'm on my way to my 3rd trimester and I'm in the accelerated program) I pop in and out on this site, but I try to contribute as much as I can. Anyway....

Answering multiple questions:

Vaccines:

Those over the age of 21 do not need immunizations to get accepted into the school. However, you will need your immunization forms when you begin clinical. Those consist of: Hep B series, Flu Shot, Varicella titers (if they are too low, you need chicken pox vaccine), MMR and Tetorifice. If you do not want the flu shot, you must have a signed document from a doctor. Most hospitals are making it mandatory, but this is what I've been told. If you are under 21, you need your immunization information on Puerto Rican document. If you visit the school, they will tell you exactly where to get it.

Will 5 days be enough time to get everything done:

So, "Rosina" recently visited the school (she is about 3 pages back) She spent 3 days here in San Juan and pretty much got everything done. She spoke to the nursing department, gave all of her paperwork in, and found a potential roommate. So honestly, 5 days is perfect. 5 days gives you time to talk to all the people you need to talk to in the school as well as tour the city. Now I know this school is known for, "Come in today...give in all your paperwork...and you are accepted today", but they have stopped all of that as far as I know. "Rosina" had all of her stuff in, came down, and they told her to wait for letter in the mail. They also told my cousin that, so if you come early in the morning around 8/9a and spend half your day at the school, you will get everything done. If you already have your acceptance letter in hand, that process will be different: you'd want to go to Financial aid, nursing department, registration office, and possibly student accounts.

Safety:

Honestly, your not completely safe anywhere in this world today. Yes, there is crime here in San Juan. Cars get broken into, people steal, and recently (Jan 20) someone was shot at this festival---BUT---when don't you hear about that stuff happening in your city? I feel like crime is up everywhere (people are crazy these days!!) I, myself feel safe with where I'm living in Puerto Rico. Most of the apartments/houses are gated communities. A lot of the students who are native to Puerto Rico usually tell you where to go and where not to go. Since our classes are in the evening, those who drive usually take other students who don't have cars home (if they live near the school or on the way to their house/apartment) After 6pm, its not really safe to walk around because it starts to get dark and usually all of the local businesses close around 4 or 5. Other than that, I've travelled as far as the other side of Puerto Rico and have been fine. My father was reluctant in letting me come to Puerto Rico because I'm his only daughter, he's very protective, and he didn't know anyone here---but he visited the school, toured around San Juan, and saw where I was living and he was good. Just be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to your gut.

Hopefully this helped. Let me know if you all have any more questions!

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