Anyone from Galen College of Nursing in Tampa Area

U.S.A. Florida

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Hello everyone! Is anyone currently attending Galen College of Nursing in St.Petesburg/Tampa Bay Area? If you aren't currently attending, but have in the past? I would love to here your feedback, too. I just wanted to know how you feel about the school and what your experience has been like. I will be taking my cpat at Galen tomorrow. I'm very excited and hopefully all goes well.

Well congratulations for those of you that will be attending the program at Galen! I will be graduating the lpn program next week and am very excited. I will tell you some positives and negatives. First off, the cost is quite a negative at over $14K for the lpn program. But you know that already. It was convienent for me though since I didn't have to take prereqs or be on a waiting list. I started looking into the program in December of 2007 and started February 2008. Secondly, its super tough as I'm sure most programs are. Not to scare you, but we lost almost half our class by the end of the year. However, most of the ones we lost didn't seem too dedicated and either didn't study or were too liberal with their absences. So if you want it bad enough, you will make it through for sure. Now for some positives... In my opinion, I have had some of the best teachers I've ever had at a college level. I have learned so much, and my learning experience has seemed superior when talking with friends that attend other schools. Also, I have made a lot of good friends that I hope to have forever. Additionally, the facilities we have attended for our clinicals always have positive things to say about Galen students. Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend Galen's LPN to RN program for a few reasons. First off, its now 15 months instead of 12. And they tacked on a few thousand more, I think the cost is over 20K now. It's just too much time, money, and missed income for me. Also, the program is not accredited. They will tell you that they are in the process of getting their accreditation and will have it this year, but i heard that last year as well... and according to some other posts i have read, they have been saying that for years. Maybe they will be getting it soon, and I hope they do, but I just can't take that chance as I wish to continue on past a BSN, and want to ensure that my degree is accepted. So I will be doing the excelsior program for my associates, and possibly bachelors. I know that I will be missing out on a great Galen education, but it is what I have to do.

Anyway, enough of my blabbing... good luck to you and I hope your Galen experience is as good as mine was.

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Specializes in Nursing instructor, Geriatrics.

This is great to hear!:yeah:I have a colleague that teaches nursing at Galen. I am hoping to teach there when I move there someday this year or next. I am glad to hear this. I will let my friend know that you all love it so much. I teach nursing now in MA and there is nothing more satisfying that watching nursing students learn. Best of everything to you all.

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Thanks so much for your honesty. I actually was thinking of taking the Excelsior route, if they are not a accredited by the time I am ready for my ADN. Did you know that you can transfer in English I, English II, A&P I, A&P II, Microbiology, Dev. Psychology and a Upper Level Math from SPC or HCC? This will greatly reduce the cost. Just a thought for those that may want to do their ADN program. I am so excited! I will finally start on Monday. Hooray! Hooray!

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sugarpixel... yes galen does accept those credits (though i have a few friends that had some difficulties getting a few of theirs accepted), which does reduce the cost significantly. unfortunately, i still needed most of those, so the cost would still be too much for me. also, most of those are done in the first 2 quarters of the rn program, so it would give you a lot of time off to work as an lpn. anyway, good luck!

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lstcats... well it would definitely be a great place to teach. if i ever went that route, it would probably be my first choice to teach at. best of luck to you as well.

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Specializes in emergency room.

I just found out about Galen in Tampa and have asked for more information. But reading some of your posts about costs is discouraging. I am currently enrolled at SFCC but will not start classes until May. Most of the cost is paid for by Pell grant and State Tuition waiver, but the prereqs are several even with 2 1/2 yrs of college and 31 yrs as LPN. So, I'm checking into Galen. Someone please tell me how much Excelsior costs....I am afraid to get started and find out I have no money to finish. They sure don't make it easy for those of us to return to school, do they?

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The lpn to rn bridge program at excelsior i figured will cost me about 6K. That is without purchasing the books because a friend of mine is giving me his. A big chunk of it is at the end, when you do your CPNE (2K) and u will also probably have to travel to do the CPNE and pay travel expenses for the 3 days. Though most of the programs at excelsior qualify for financial aid, the nursing program does not. I think it is because of the structure of the classes... since they are not actual "classes" and you are basically just reading the material on ur own and taking an exam when you're ready. So I will be paying for it all as I go. They do have some type of payment plans available as well. And the whole time you go at your own pace, so as soon as u have money for the next exam, and are ready for it, you take it. You have like up to 10 years i think to finish the program. Anyway my friend got his RN through Excelsior in about 7 months, and a lot of that time was waiting to take his CPNE and boards. I am doing it with a few friends so we can keep each other motivated. Oh also, Excelsior has associates, bachelors, and masters in nursing degrees that are all fully accredited (both regionally and nationally). Also all the prereqs that excelsior requires, they also offer as a credit by exam. And excelsior does not have a time limit on credits, whereas galen did not accept credits over 10 yrs old, and 5 yrs for science classes. The only drawback I could see is if you were the type of learner that needed classroom instruction or were not self motivated, then it may not be the type of program for you. Also there are a few states such as california that do not accept excelsior graduates for licensure. I don't know how it would work if you were already licensed in another state. anyway... just some things to think about... let me know if you have any questions... or just call excelsior, they will send u loads of info and their advisors are very helpful and knowledgeable on the phone.

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Specializes in emergency room.

Thanks for replying and for the thorough explanation. I decided to stay where I am at South Florida Community even though I can only go at night and it will take 2 years for the transition doing it this way. The length of time was discouraging because I am 56 yrs. old but the state pays the tuition since I am a state employee. So that's nothing to blink at. Thanks again.

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I have questions for the current 2009 students at Galen. I have been seeing mix reviews of this LPN-RN program. Some like it some dont. For those students currently in the class. How is everything going so far? Is it worth the money you pay for your education. Any advice that I can get from you would be great..

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Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Crisis Stabilization.

Well I will add my 2 cents:

I did my research starinfinite...and I came up with this(congrats on your ARNP, u go gurl)

Galen offers LPN to RN Bridge at 24K for 15 months. Yes, it is not accredited. You cannot go to USF for your BSN.

BUT..... you can go to University of Phoenix, online. They accept all of Galens RN credits and General ed courses too. I called them and got them to fax me a confirmation in writing by the Healthcare Director of Admissions, who also referred me to this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5O7m1JmSNI

So, the way I look at it is, its 24K for my education to my ADN. Which most of my student loans will be forgiven as I work in a Private Sector such as a Jail, Prison, Health Dept or State Run facility.

Then, I will transfer all of my credits to University of Phoenix, and its FULLY accredited. As my DON(who got her MSN through U of P) says, they look at your final degree granting institution. She was a Diploma nurse and got her BSN and MSN through them.

So thats my plan and I will let you know how it turn out, as others sit on lengthy waiting lists.

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Thanks for that info!! Hey, what do you mean your student loans will be forgiven if you work in the private sector?? I have several student loans. I'm going to do the RN at Galen in August. I'm in Galen's LPN program right now. I'm interested actually in working in a mental health facility. Can you give me more info on the forgiveness of student loans. That's awesome that UP will take the credits. That is probably what I will do too. :)

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Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Crisis Stabilization.

Sweetie, all you have to do is work for a public sector such as the VA, Health Dept, Jail or Prison. The government will pay back most of your loans and they will do a little bit more each year you work with them. I wish I could remember the website, but its on the Federal Government site.

Good for you wanting to go into mental health. I just got a new job at a facility in Clearwater. It seems very nice. I have enjoyed my time as a Prison Nurse, now on to Psych. Good luck to you.

You are at Galen huh? How are the Instructors? Well look for me, I am the girl in the back that bears a striking resemblance to Beyonce. lol ..

yeah right! Kudos to you and Good Luck!

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