Galen-Tampa Bay

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Hi all-

I'm brand new to Allnurses. I've been going a bit crazy trying to figure out what is what as far as accreditations and such. I wanted to start a newer thread for anyone who might be in this area, that needs information or may have good information to offer. First I'll give a bit of back ground.

I have an General A.A. from S.P.C., which includes all my nursing pre-reqs.

Last year, I decided that I didn't want to wait for a spot in the RN program at SPC, so I decided to apply to PTEC and go the LPN transitional route. I am leaving PTEC due to incredibly mismanaged and just an overall awful experience, from admissions to instructors. This program is very affordable but the program is very sub par. I had a lot of students in my class that... week, after week, felt as though they were learning nothing from our instructor, we also had 3 formal complaints against our instructor (I was in the hybrid program), complaints include but not limited to; instructor acting unprofessional at clinical sites, yelling and belittling students in front of hospital staff, patients and other student, having to submit assignments multiple times due to instructor error, students (including myself) that are CNA licensed, being forced to take the CNA portion through their program, only to be left to teach the other students CNA skills because the instructors were not capable of providing adequate techniques and in some cases, not having any knowledge of how to perform the skills. Had a couple of students transfer from the traditional class, to our class, because they said that they did nothing but sit in class, play on their phones all day and learned nothing, only to find the same issue with our class and instructor.

So I decided to check out Galen, even though I've heard horror stories and know how incredibly expensive they are. There has been a lot of talk about them being not accredited but they are regionally accredited. I crossed referenced all the local colleges and they are now accepting Galen's non nursing (pre-reqs) as well as giving credit for their nurses classes (each school is different so make sure to double check), but as 'electives', and are not counted towards their nursing courses. Here is the link to SPC to see which credits transfer Will my credits transfer to SPC?

So, I think I'm going for it and going to Galen. They are being considered for other very important accreditations and hopefully by the time I finish, they will have them, if not, what can you do? They accepted all my pre-reqs from SPC, so that cuts down on the cost a great deal. I took a tour through their facility and they definitely have nice stuff and their sim lab is very cool. Much better than the lab at PTEC, which our instructor told us we weren't even allowed to access without her, which btw, is not what the school's policy says. You would think at some point, they would hold her accountable for her actions and shortcomings. Galen have mannequins that actually give birth, with blood, birthing fluids and all that good stuff. I've learned that clinicals don't always produce a good learning experience, very hit or miss on what you can learn so a good sim lab is very important to me, personally.

I hate that the negative posts always outweigh the positive, but if anyone has any current advise or info for Galen St Petersburg campus that would be great.

As far as PTEC, you get what you pay for. It costs next to nothing in comparison, which is great for people what are very desperate, and I mean that in the kindest way possible. I learned nothing while I was there, and spent most of my time helping my classmates. If you're looking for just a piece of paper, without any true help from then guidance office, (emails and issues not returned and addressed), or learning anything, then that is your best route. Also, they do not allow you to buy used books, everything has to be new. That's a bunch of bull, imo. Are they in the business of selling books, or teaching? That's a testament to how they run their school. Oh, and don't forget, if you're a CNA, and you didn't get your certification through them, they will force you to spend the first 2 months of your program, in the CNA program, along with 1000.00 of your money, as the entire 1st term is all CNA.

I plan on starting Galen October 1st and will post as I go and try to be as objective as possible.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Welcome to allnurses.com

Thread moved to Nursing Schools/Colleges/Programs forum for the best response.

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hello! im a recent grad of 2015, any questions fire away!

I will say that every school will have horror stories, and from what ive heard of the others in the area Galen is the better end of the stick there.i will also say that the hospitals we do clinicals at LOVE getting thier hands on us when we graduate. when i asked a friend in the area who is a nurse manager her top 3 RN programs were HCC, Galen, and USF

as far as accreditation goes they are working on their final one now, which takes up to a year and they are almost at the end of that timeline. They are to the point where they offer a BSN as well.

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Hey I'm looking into Galen after not being accepted into SPC nursing program. Just want some insight on your experience! How were clinicals? Where were you sent? Did you receive financial aid? If so how did that work with the whole quarter thing rather than semesters? @saucey

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Hi! actually enjoyed my time at Galen. I can say now that it seems 99% of my graduating class has passed the boards and were in jobs already and we graduated October 9th. And several of those jobs were at our previous clinical sites.

i really enjoyed clinical, but just like with any program you get out of them what you put into them. You are able to choose which sites you go to, it's a matter of how fast the spots are filled up. They have some pretty good options and even at the not so great options the instructors know what nurses to pair you with to make the most out of it. I will say we had some SPC students at my clinical sites as well and the nurses were way fonder of galen students and we were more prepared walking in. I was part of the groups who started off the first 3 quarters In nursing homes, I think now that's only your first quarter so they seem to be making better clinical experiences for you guys coming in. I also did a lot in the Clearwater and largo area which were great!

i had bright futures and student loans, they automatically break into the correct increments for the quarter system so that wasn't really an issue. I found the entire financial aid process a total breeze but I do know a few people who had issues. They definitely stay on top of you payment wise so the communication is there! It seemed to only get weird for people who set up payment plans for the quarter to pay monthly pieces.

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Thank you for your response! I also wanted to know about "life events" did you personally or did you witness anyone come up with a life event and have to leave and come back? Do they even allow that? If so how does it all work?

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We had several people who would skip a few quarters and were let back on due to family or personal issues. It's case by case basis usually. The attendance policy is you cannot miss two weeks in a row, so some people were able to handle their situations with that time frame and just use their friends to help them catch up on material. Missing Clinicals are a HUGE deal though and usually non negotiable because those are required hours the school has to abide by.

We we had several girls deliver babies mid quarters and still maintain their class and attendance without it crossing the line of having to leave and come back.

all of the issues are handled on a case by case basis with the directors of the program and such, so you have to be very active in your return and push for it so they see it's worth it to you, and be honest and clear if you have to leave. There is no concrete policy so if they can fit you back in after you leave they will try, but you may end up waiting a few quarters for a spot because they give current students priority in seating.

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You have been beyond helpful! Thank you!

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Your welcome! If you have any more questions feel free to ask!

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Hi! I went to Galen Tampa Bay yesterday to speak with admissions and LOVED the school! I have to take the PAX exam next Wednesday. My study guide should be in the mail any day and I plan to brush up on everything by Wednesday. I'm really nervous but so excited. Did any of you take the PAX exam? If so, how difficult was it? I plan to start In March 2017 in the ADN program. I am married, have two young kids, but will not be working throughout school. Any advice is helpful!

Taylor

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