Published Aug 24, 2009
David Offenbaker, BSN, RN
1 Article; 210 Posts
I'm currently enrolled at Galen College of Nursing here in Texas. I am their 3rd RN class. As of now, they are about to graduate their first class, and as required by the BON, they must have 3 consecutive 80% or higher pass rate on the NCLEX so that the school can be accredited. The about-to-graduate class took their HESI and a huge majority did horribly, and the teachers/staff are extremely worried.
So, you may be wondering why I am stating this. You see, I am SERIOUSLY thinking of going back to get my ADN from Excelsior. With the above reason and the fact that the school is new, students are failing left and right, classes/instructors are illprepared has me wondering, do I really want to spend $25,000 on a school that might end up being a waste of my money?
Excelsior is Texas friendly, atleast until their 2017 review with the BON.
I need some feedback here! :typing
JulesRN10
299 Posts
i feel your pain...and i wish i could give you advice, but all i can do is give you this: make a list of pros and cons...weigh it out. it is a huge decision, very similar to the one i faced when choosing the local cc or excelsior. i ultimately chose excelsior, but it is a tough program and not for everyone. do the research, will your school maintain accreditation until you graduate? will excelsior accept some of the classes you have already taken? you can always call there and talk to an advisor. good luck whichever you choose!
Currently, the program is not accredited, but in the beginning we were told they would have no proble becoming accredited because their other locations (Kentucky, and Florida) had no problem.
It really is turning into being a nightmare. The transitions class is a mess! We're literally having to teach ourself ABG's, EKG's, etc, and the instructor gets upset when the grades aren't up to par. It's because she won't teach!
When I first started the program in January, Excelsior was still up in the air with the TXBON. Now that it is approved, I feel I made a mistake going to Galen.
The classes I have completed with Galen currently are:
Pharmacology
Growth and Development
Culture and Diversity in Healthcare
It is a huge decision, and I'm really at a crossroads . I'm going to school 4 days a week, have no time to work and this is beginning to stress me beyond belief! I feel as if we are all just paying thousands a semester *at Galen* just to teach ourselves. I have roughly 11 months left before I graduate. Is it stupid for me to change now?
As of now, I really don't see any pros with the school any longer. I drive 40 miles roundtrip, sometimes to only be in school 2 hours and only to teach myself. I know that Excelsior is good with the state of Texas, but are there any problems with potential employers not wanting Excelsior grads? I know that might sound funny, but I just had to ask. Never have I been asked where I went to LVN school.
Dave