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.

Did they give you cost breakdowns? Is there a reason you are deciding on doing the bridge over the RN? I ask because I want to make sure I do it the best way too! : ) Did they give you any other information? Thanks!

He did not give me cost of the program but I know my LPN is 17,000 and change and then the RN is like 22,000 (hopefully they don't raise it in a year) Basically he said the new program is the two programs put together but more intensive. Apparently you go the whole two years straight with one week break he said. I was looking at the class schedule and it looks like you get less clinical experience too, I glanced at it real quickly so I could be wrong. The other thing was that you had to retake the PAX exam for the RN instead of the LPN PAX. He said the score they were looking for was like a 126....which I don't know if I could even get that score...mine was 111 for the PN.

I'm also wondering if you do the LPN program then bridge over to RN is it still considered an associates degree in nursing? That was my one main concern, or if at that point do they even care what it is labeled as when trying to get a job? I'm going to stick with the LPN because after that year or within the year hopefully I'll be able to get a job and start working while going for the RN afterwards....

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Jessica,

Hello. I'm attending Galen in August. I'm soooo excited. I was hesitant at first too because of the drive. I live out in Valrico, right by Brandon. It'll be about a 45 minute WITHOUT traffic. It is also pricy, you're right, but I as well as you are ready to be done! I took the teas test at Erwin. I had signed up for it before I went to visit Galen. But as soon as I stepped in those doors and the admissions person took me on a tour I was sold, I absolutely fell in LOVE with the school. It has such a good set up. Dummies that crash, dummies that give birth, little baby dummies, it's amazing!!

I took the teas test and got a horrible score, I can't remember what it was but it was enough to BARELY pass. I didnt even try to go to school there because I figured there were so many other people who would get in before me and I'd be put on a waiting list so I concentrated on getting into Galen. I also felt like Erwin was VERY disorganized and had no idea what they were doing. (Figures that the more expensive one would huh?)

The test at Galen the PAX, I studied for for like 2 or 3 weeks, but just here and there. The study book helps a lot, the questions are the same. But the thing was is I felt like the test was just a way for them to get $50 out of you. I felt like I did horrible. I ran out of time on the math and seriously had to go back and bubble in like 15 questions on the computer. But I scored really well and was in the high percentile. You only need to score a 92 and I got a 111.

They start their programs 4 times I year I think, August, November, then I guess February, and May. The night classes take 15 months as apposed to 12 months if you go day time. I hope this helps some. But honestly make an appointment and go visit the campus and take a tour and then the admissions counselor will sit down and talk to you about costs and entrance exam and basically EVERYTHING else. And the thing that I was most surprised about was there was NO pressure at all!! So do that! Best of luck to you!

Thanks for replying!!! I am going to make an appointment real soon!! Erwin seems very disorganized to me as well. I took their TABE BACK IN MARCH and now just finally took the TEAS. I just need to get in...I have been a CNA for 4 YEARS Now and I am ready to move up. Thanks for the information. I am still nervous about the exam since I missed by .1 at Erwin.but I am going to keep my classes at HCC for the August term then hopefully start Galen after Dec. Let me know how things r for you! And good luck for your start in August!!

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Hi Jessica! As you can see from my posts I do not attend yet, but I have some information. Are you planning on doing the LPN or the new RN program? I am doing the RN which takes 2 years days. I have some information they e-mailed me and if you would like to PM me your e-mail I would be glad to send it your way. It is the curriculum plan for the LPN, the bridge, and the straight RN programs. It shows what classes you take each semester. Let me know if it would help. As for the PAX, I took the PAX-RN last year. I have been out of school (I went to college previously) for 8 years, 7 at the time, and I scored 132. I am terrible at math and not great at science. I just bought the study guide and studied as much as I could for a couple to a few weeks. You'll do great. Classes are pretty much always open if you are looking far enough ahead (from what I can tell). For example, I applied for this November but my application won't be reviewed until the August class starts. So if you are looking for a start date after December, it would be February start and your application would be reviewed after the November class starts. Hope this helped! :)

Hello! Thanks for responding! The RN sounds better to me...for I fear of just getting comfortable with the LPN and I want to get RN for sure! I think it'd be better due to price of paying just for RN instead of LPN then LPN-RN. I have been a CNA for 4 years and I have a 2 year old son and I want to finish my RN before hes too big!! So that would be great! I hear it is so hard but if we all stay motivated we can do it! I am definitly going to get the study book and hopefully get accepted after Dec...and my EMAIL is [email protected] would be great if u send me that info u r talking about. Thanks...and good luck to you

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Hello! Thanks for responding! The RN sounds better to me...for I fear of just getting comfortable with the LPN and I want to get RN for sure! I think it'd be better due to price of paying just for RN instead of LPN then LPN-RN. I have been a CNA for 4 years and I have a 2 year old son and I want to finish my RN before hes too big!! So that would be great! I hear it is so hard but if we all stay motivated we can do it! I am definitly going to get the study book and hopefully get accepted after Dec...and my EMAIL is [email protected] would be great if u send me that info u r talking about. Thanks...and good luck to you

Hi again : ) I agree that the RN seems like the way to go. I hear that nursing school is very difficult no matter the program, so I am ready, LOL! If you want to save some money I can send you my copy of the NLN PAX-RN study guide. It's from last year but I doubt they changed anything. Just let me know if you would like it! It is around $36 new but shipping from NH to you would probably be maybe $10??? It's what I used to study for a few weeks and I got a pretty okay score, I guess. I am really looking forward to seeing the facility! Take care :)

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Hi again : ) I agree that the RN seems like the way to go. I hear that nursing school is very difficult no matter the program, so I am ready, LOL! If you want to save some money I can send you my copy of the NLN PAX-RN study guide. It's from last year but I doubt they changed anything. Just let me know if you would like it! It is around $36 new but shipping from NH to you would probably be maybe $10??? It's what I used to study for a few weeks and I got a pretty okay score, I guess. I am really looking forward to seeing the facility! Take care :)

Hello!! I would love to have the study guide? For how much? and what is "NH?" Thanks and ttyl

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Hi Jessica! You can have it for free, I just need to see what shipping will be and let you know tomorrow. What I meant was I am in New Hampshire and shipping from here to there would probably be around $10 I would think. I'll let you know tomorrow. It also has the CD that you can download and do practice tests! It worked well for me. The book is a little beat up since I've had it so long, but I don't think there is any writing in it, (except for the drawing one of my girls did on the title page, LOL!). I'll let you know and you can PM me your address! :)

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Hello!! I would love to have the study guide? For how much? and what is "NH?" Thanks and ttyl

Hi Jessica! Sorry it took me so long to follow up. It's cheap to send the book, so if you still want it please let me know and I'll be happy to send it down.

: ) Kelli

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Hi Everyone!

I've been reading all of your posts about Galen, finally something on here about Galen Tampa campus! I currently live in NJ, but will be flying down on the 15th to take my PAX, get my tour, and my interview for the 2 year RN program. I have almost all of my pre reqs other than micro and I am currently a CNA. I'm nervous, but optimistic! The school I am in right now gave me an expected start date of 2015..yeah right! I am looking to start Galen in November.

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Specializes in SNF, 2 year s hospital.

2015-REALLY? Do they think people really have time to wait? Well I will be starting the LPN-RN bridge in November!

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I know it's crazy! I completed all of my pre reqs and attended orientation and the expected start date was 2015! The other school I was looking at was a year and a half wait! Don't get me wrong I'd love to get my education in Jersey, but I just can't wait that long, I wanna be working by then. I fly down the 15 and take my test the 16, I bought a review book that i've been looking at and a lots coming back to me in the math section, definetley glad I bought the book.

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I know it's crazy! I completed all of my pre reqs and attended orientation and the expected start date was 2015! The other school I was looking at was a year and a half wait! Don't get me wrong I'd love to get my education in Jersey, but I just can't wait that long, I wanna be working by then. I fly down the 15 and take my test the 16, I bought a review book that i've been looking at and a lots coming back to me in the math section, definetley glad I bought the book.

Hi Care.Bear! How did everything go? Do you like the facility and the people? I am also up north but I haven't been down to take a tour yet. Hope your PAX went well!

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Hey mma!

I absolutely loved it! I should know by Thursday if I've been accepted. The facility was beautiful. They had a sim manikan that you can start IV's on. It blinks, has a heart rate, talks, and can crash just like a real person! So cool! When do you wanna start your program? Have you made plans to come down at all?

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