*BBFRN* Galen College question

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Specializes in none yet!.

I've read in a previous post you've written that you are a former Galen Instructor.

I was wondering if you could tell me what to expect from Galen. I've read horrible things about other instructors/schools on this board, and quite frankly, I'm intimidated! If I get the courage up, I plan on starting full-time in July.

Sorry to bombard you with so many questions:uhoh3: Thank you so much!

How are the Instructors?

Out of a class of 100, how many students complete the program on average?

Do classes ever let-out early?

How much homework can I expect each night?

Do you have any tips/advice that might help?

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.
I've read in a previous post you've written that you are a former Galen Instructor.

I was wondering if you could tell me what to expect from Galen. I've read horrible things about other instructors/schools on this board, and quite frankly, I'm intimidated! If I get the courage up, I plan on starting full-time in July.

Sorry to bombard you with so many questions:uhoh3: Thank you so much!

How are the Instructors?

Out of a class of 100, how many students complete the program on average?

Do classes ever let-out early?

How much homework can I expect each night?

Do you have any tips/advice that might help?

Hi preemie- which campus are you considering attending? Also, I was a clinical educator, so my perspective will come from that point of reference.

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Specializes in none yet!.

I will be attending the Louisville Campus. I think it would be beneficial to hear your point of view as well. I wish there were more Galen students on this board, but they seem to be few and far-between. Again, thanks for taking the time to answer my questions!

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.
I've read in a previous post you've written that you are a former Galen Instructor.

I was wondering if you could tell me what to expect from Galen. I've read horrible things about other instructors/schools on this board, and quite frankly, I'm intimidated! If I get the courage up, I plan on starting full-time in July.

Sorry to bombard you with so many questions:uhoh3: Thank you so much!

How are the Instructors?

Out of a class of 100, how many students complete the program on average?

Do classes ever let-out early?

How much homework can I expect each night?

Do you have any tips/advice that might help?

Here is what I can tell you from what my own students have told me:

They really liked most of their instructors. The ones that students didn't like, weren't around for very long. ;)

Most students did complete the program while I was there. In fact, I'd say more than in most programs. On average, I saw about 1-2 students a semester either fail & repeat, or drop out. That's a very good rate, when you consider some programs lose almost half of their students after the first semester.

Don't expect class to let out early very often. They try to get you through the program pretty quickly, so that means you can expect to spend your entire day in class or in clinicals. But- you do get a week off between each quarter, and you can miss (I think) up to 2 days a quarter, although I wouldn't recommend this.

You can expect a lot of homework, but it's still at a do-able level. You will have homework for clinicals too, such as care plans, and maybe a project or 2. I did exam study sessions with my students at the end of each clinical day during post-conference, as well. We worked to tie in what they were learning in the classroom, to what they were learning at the bedside. I got great feedback on this from the students.

Tips/Advice:

  • If you're having issues in your daily life, let a trusted instructor know. They are there to support you, and to help you succeed. They all want to see you make it through the program.
  • Ask questions- no matter how dumb you think they might be. Chances are, someone else has the same question, but doesn't want to ask.
  • Don't be intimidated by horror stories. Not all programs are the same, and there are many sides to a story.
  • After your first semester, if you are not already a CNA, go ahead and apply for your CNA certification. You can work on a flexible schedule as a CNA in a hospital or nursing home while you're in school, if needed. This will give you some valuable bedside experience, as well.
  • If you're eligible for student loans, take them to supplement your income, if needed. You may be able to get a loan buyback from your employer, once you're working as a nurse.
  • When you're done with the LPN portion, go straight into the RN program. You'll make at least $10 more an hour as a RN, and you'll have more job options.

Don't worry- it's a good program, and I'd recommend it over a few other local programs. Feel free to email me, or post here if you have any other questions. There are a couple of current Galen students here, who could give you more info from their perspective, as well.

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Specializes in none yet!.

Thank you for putting my mind at ease! I'M DOING IT!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

Yay for you! :yeah:

Glad I could help.

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  • After your first semester, if you are not already a CNA, go ahead and apply for your CNA certification. You can work on a flexible schedule as a CNA in a hospital or nursing home while you're in school, if needed. This will give you some valuable bedside experience, as well.

I have been wondering about this. Since Galen is on a quarter system, do you mean after your first quarter you can apply for your CNA certification or do you have to wait until after the second quarter?

Thank you,

Gwen

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

Gwen- when I taught there, it was after the first quarter (after you had your first clinicals in the nursing home), but you may want to check to be sure. I hear they have rearranged things a bit, since they got a new Dean after I left.

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I am currently going to Galen college. I like my instructors. I will say it is a lot of information to take in. I go at night. We get out a few minutes early every night. Tests are a lot of information. Tests are on like 4-6 chapters at a time. If you are serious about becoming a nurse and you have a passion for it, it won't be as hard as you think.

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Specializes in none yet!.

Can you tell me about the Cpat test? Please give as much detail as possible!

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It is just basic questions on grammar, math, and reading.....you have to receive a score of 162 or higher. The only part that was hard for me was the math because you can not use a calculator. I am awful in math. The whole 2x(5-8)y= stuff really confuses me.. lol...when you apply at Galen they will give you a study guide and a website that will give you examples of the test. The reading part is just like they give you a paragraph to read and you have to answer questions from the paragraph. The grammar, well they have underlined parts of a sentence and you have to pick if the sentence is right or what needs to be changed. It is all multiple choice....

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O'k, for what it's worth...I will be/am(?) a Galen (louisville) student. Will be starting April 27. As far as the CPat, if you haven't already taken it, look up the websites they suggested, but you can also google for specific help. Especially in math, look for sites that cater to kids (I know it sounds dumb). They are usually good at explaining how to work the problems. Wish you well. Hope to see you there!

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