Galen Institute

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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I am thinking about going to Galen Institute in St. Petersburg FL instead of a tech school. Has anyone went through this program and was it a good choice?

Hello, I have a couple of freinds that attending Galen that live in Riverview Fl. The only reason why they're going there is because it wasn't hard to get into the program and they did not have to wait on a waiting list for Erwin Tech or Brewster Tech. I will be attend Henry Brewster Tech starting 10/24/05, this school is located in Tampa Fl and it's only $3.076.00, including books. This school is just like Erwin, there is a lotto.

But in all Galen from what I hear is an okay school. Just expensive, because it's private.

Good luck

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I heard of them but when I went on their website, I didn't see that they have an LPN program. I bet you are very excited to be starting. I wish you good luck.

Hello, I have a couple of freinds that attending Galen that live in Riverview Fl. The only reason why they're going there is because it wasn't hard to get into the program and they did not have to wait on a waiting list for Erwin Tech or Brewster Tech. I will be attend Henry Brewster Tech starting 10/24/05, this school is located in Tampa Fl and it's only $3.076.00, including books. This school is just like Erwin, there is a lotto.

But in all Galen from what I hear is an okay school. Just expensive, because it's private.

Good luck

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I decided that I would attend Galen despite the huge cost difference. It's worth it to me to not have to drive every day in Tampa's "Malfunction Junction". It will save me driving 2 hours a day that I can use to study. I took the easy entrance test and passed. I signed up for the Nov class. I thought I would be excited but I am scared half out of my mind. I have wanted this for so long so now is not the time to be second guessing myself. What if I hate it? OMG! I can't believe I am doing this. PANIC PANIC PANIC. :sofahider Someone say something quick before I change my mind.

You should inquire about financial aid, and how student loans are repaid. I know a Galen LPN who is repaying her student loan for $59/mo. That's pretty affordable, but she may be paying it for 30 years. I don't know the length of her payback. It would be worth your time to ask those questions. Also, with gas being $3/gal, the drive to Tampa could get expensive. In addition, class at Erwn starts at 7:30, clinicals start at 6:45, and you don't EVER want to be late. There were students in my class that drove from as far as Spring Hill, New Port Richey, and Gulfport. They hated the drive, but always made it on time.

The CNA exam is a snap. You'll have to do five skills, which include handwashing and providing privacy. When I did my test, there was no drape, so I had to remind myself to pull the imaginary drape. I actually talked my way through the skills, so the tester knew that I knew what I was supposed to do. My skills were making an occupied bed (always fun~), range of motion, and peri care (on a mannequin.) When they tell you that you passed, it is an amazing feeling of accomplishment. It's just a warm up for your LPN license. ;)

Best of luck!

Nancy

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Peds, LDRP.

do u know if there is a waiting list for their LPN- RN transition? I live in Orlando but if I move to the west side of town it would be about 45 minutes away.

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Specializes in hospice.

I don't know anything about their RN program. It's new. Call and ask them!

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nrcnurse, I just read your profile. It is nice to see others that have they same path as I did. I too left a corp job to pursue nursing. I received my CNA but I am currently working in a Dr office. (as of Friday that is). Good luck to you in your career.

I don't know anything about their RN program. It's new. Call and ask them!
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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Peds, LDRP.
I don't know anything about their RN program. It's new. Call and ask them!

Well since its new theres a good chance there is little to no wait to get in! Im trying to get in touch with someone, so far its been phone tag. Its either Galen or Excelsior (distance learning) for me. The advantage of Galen would be that I could keep deferring my loans I already have, as well as take out loans to help pay for it. With Excelsior, its out of pocket and I cant defer my loans~

good luck to you, keep us posted on how it goes! The year will be gone before you know it, I look back and it seems like yesterday I was startingLPN school, and I just got my license!

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Specializes in hospice.

Thanks for reminding me about my profile... I haven't edited it since I joined. I'd better do that, or it looks like I'm doing the world's lengthiest LPN program! I finished LPN school, got a "real" job (not that agency wasn't "real", it most certainly was/is!!! I learned a ton there!! I still work for them, too!), and will have my RN in Dec 2006.

I think that Galen does not require the prereqs that a community college does. (Okay, I fibbed. I know "a teeny bit" about Galen's transition program.) That makes it a lot like Excelsior. You still have to take A&P, micro, and who knows what else, but it's part of the program. As I suggested, call 'em and ask!

I'm doing my transition at St. Pete College. I have a BA from another lifetime, and all the pre and co-reqs, so I just need the nursing classes. Oh, and statistics. I forgot about that one. I need to take it, also.

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one reason i was considering going to galen is that it is very close to my house whereas erwin is quite a drive. galen is now a nursing college and has an rn program. if you are a galen lpn, you can get right into the rn program and it is only a year longer. the money is a huge factor though. i have to decide on whether the benefits out weigh the money. i am currently #21 on the wait list at erwin. i am getting anxious. right now i am working at a dr office and am scheduled to take my cna test this thursday. thank you for your information.

hi there. i too started @ galen on november 7, but i am a student from texas. here in texas we will not be starting the rn program for some time. because of all the texas law being so strict. have you heard of any students from texas bridging over to florida or kentucky ? is it hard ? let me know how you are doing too.

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are you considering moving to florida? i hear that galen grads have a better chance of getting into the galen rn program then other lpn grads. i will ask my instructor on wednesday if texas transfers are the same. i know that it is the same program and the same school so i don't see why it would be an issue. school is going well. i have to say that i hate my clinicals. we are in ltc right now and doing quite a bit of adls. we only have 1 month until next semester and then its adult 1 at the hospital. i am looking forward to that. how are you doing so far? do you have to have a care plan due soon? very very scared about that one. :uhoh21:

hi there. i too started @ galen on november 7, but i am a student from texas. here in texas we will not be starting the rn program for some time. because of all the texas law being so strict. have you heard of any students from texas bridging over to florida or kentucky ? is it hard ? let me know how you are doing too.
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so in the end, was it worth it?

i've requested info from galen from their website with no response. :sniff: i've filled out the app for erwin and i am waiting for the information session, which won't be until the end of april/beginning of may. i mean i can wait and start the classes in august or january.

how hard is it to get into the program at erwin? since i already have a bs and student loans from that, i think galen would be out of the question for me, due to cost and no ability to get further student loans.

topcat

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ok, well i got more info. i decided to drive over to check out the school. it seems that galen doesn't actually send out information. i wonder why then they have a "request info" option on their website? :confused:

anyways, the one person who does the admissions wasn't even there, so i still had to leave him a voicemail to call me back. the lpn program and rn program are $13,400 a piece. you must already be an lpn to be accepted into the rn program. the lpn day program is 12 months, full-time; the night program is 18 months, part-time. classes start every 4 months. the next day class is may 2006 and evening is june 2006.

sorry, i couldn't get any info on the rn program, since i am not even an lpn, he wouldn't even discuss it with me.

i have an appt set for wed, march 1st to take the entrance exam. hopefully, i can get a bit more information then or maybe the op will come back and give more insight.

topcat

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