LPN Program-Erwin, Gaylen, Concorde...which is better? (Tampa, FL)

U.S.A. Florida

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Hello to all,

I am currently a HCC student who has applied to the Nursing program and have been denied. I am thinking about getting my LPN license and possibly a transition program after that. When I started college I did not do so well my first couple of semesters (young and stupid). Unfortunately, I was taking science classes at the time. This has not helped my "pre-rec" gpa.

Does anyone have any advise as to where the best LPN program is in Tampa, FL? or If getting my LPN license is even a good idea?

All help is greatly appreciated! :)

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I am looking into Galen. I visted there earlier this month, and took their entrance exam and passed. The school seems very up to date and nice. The down side of course is the price 14,000-15,000, but there are no pre reqs, and i am tired of waiting to get into someones LPN or RN program that only accepts 24 students a year. If their is such a shortage of nurses, you would figure that there would be schools just for nursing. I feel that the price is a small price to pay to invest in your future. I eventually want to do my RN there too. I am looking to get into their aug 16 class. I will be relocating to tampa in June. Where i am now..... it is virtually impossible to get into a LPN program without waiting 2-3 years, and they have no private LPN schools here. I will be owing student loans until the say i die so i figure i better get a good education while i am at it. I heard that Erwin is a good school, and cheap, but they have a process just like any other tech school. At galen there is no waiting or pre reqs, there day program is 12 months and night program is 18 months. Before i start though i am going to attend this one day CNA class that they have in tampa so i get get some experience. Whatever school you decide make sure its right for you. Hope this helps...

:)

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Yes it helps. I have heard Galen is a good school. I do agree it is not a waste if you are investing in your future.Good Luck and Thank you for your help!

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I am currently in the application process for Erwin to hopefully start in August 2010. With Erwin there is no longer the "lotto" process, to enter into the program you would first have to take the TABE test and score at least a 12th grade level on all 3 sections. After you complete the TABE test you will have to complete the TEAS test with a score of 70% or higher. They will then take your combined score on both test and determine if there is a spot available for you. ( You also have to attend an orientation) It was kinda stressful to me because everyone is competing for the TEAS test dates so you have to jump on it as soon as it comes available. I also applied for the RN program at HCC and was denied, it is much easier to just bridge over (anywhere you go). Even though Gaylen is a good school...Erwin is "MUCH" cheaper. Go to Erwin and talk to someone in Student Services the will help you out, they explained everything to me..I wish you luck and dont give up..

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I am a current Erwin LPN student; Due to graduate in July and I will

tell you its a wonderful program. It's tough, especially if you have to

work full-time, but I've learned so much and I am glad I chose Erwin.

Good luck to you in whatever program you choose.:nurse:

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

In Florida, LPNs have to become IV certified (a 32-hour course) in order to do blood draws and start IVs. Some programs include this, others require an additional class. My LPN program didn't teach phlebotomy. I would find out more about this $150 class. If it's IV certification, it's well worth the money. If you try to become IV certified after graduating, a class can cost you anywhere from $150 to $300 and it's not guaranteed that an employer will cover the cost.

At the moment, LPNs are not really being utilized in hospitals in our area. I'm not saying they aren't being used at all; there are some hospitals that still hire LPNs, you just have to look. It's true that LPNs are predominately utilized in nursing homes, but they also have opportunities in home health, outpatient clinics, and other areas.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

I went to Traviss Career Center in Lakeland. I work for a large outpatient clinic in Lakeland.

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What ever you do don't take the private college route!, Galen and other private so called universities suck... they will charge you $15,000 to $20,000 for an education and collect the majority of tuition up front and kick you out of school if you missed more than one day or don't pass 1 exam. No refund!!! Do you due diligence and just study you a@@ off and earn the grades to get into a Community college or university, coast are ~$5,000 for the entire program....

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I don't know if you have Kaplan College there. But it is fast paced, not easy, but they have a good NCLEX pass rate, at least here in S Cal. Look into it.

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Hello to all,

I am currently a HCC student who has applied to the Nursing program and have been denied. I am thinking about getting my LPN license and possibly a transition program after that. When I started college I did not do so well my first couple of semesters (young and stupid). Unfortunately, I was taking science classes at the time. This has not helped my "pre-rec" gpa.

Does anyone have any advise as to where the best LPN program is in Tampa, FL? or If getting my LPN license is even a good idea?

All help is greatly appreciated! :)

Whatever you decide to do, make sure it's a program suited for you. I am currently a 2nd semester LPN student at Galen and I love it - it was one of the best decision's I have ever made. I looked long and hard before I decided on Galen. I was about 2 days away from accepting an offer from PTEC and decided I wanted a private eduction.

About half my class plans on obtaining their LPN from Galen then moving to HCC for their RN (I'm staying put and getting my RN from Galen - again personal choice). Apparently they are now accepting some of our classes as the nursing pre-reqs and for those that have general pre-req's the RN license is obtainable in less than a year. I did not believe them at first and they brought in their paperwork from the HCC counselors so perhaps you should talk to a counselor at HCC and take it from there?

My reason for chosing Galen are the NCLEX pass rate, the hands on experience you get and the knoweldge and confidence you leave with. It's not easy, you pay allot of money - but to me I do not have several years of waiting time to get into a program... I am older and need to get licensed now. Galen expects you to show up to class, do your assignments, read, study and practice they don't want anyone making them look like a fool or tarnishing the rates... and honestly some people need that push, I like the high expectations and structure.. I know PTEC is offfering an online LPN class...there are options in this area we are lucky - but you need to figure out which one is right for you... your learning style and how much you want to invest in your future... good luck in your decision - I know it is a hard one... :coollook:

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Specializes in LTAC, Wound Care, Case Management.
Hello to all,

I am currently a HCC student who has applied to the Nursing program and have been denied. I am thinking about getting my LPN license and possibly a transition program after that. When I started college I did not do so well my first couple of semesters (young and stupid). Unfortunately, I was taking science classes at the time. This has not helped my "pre-rec" gpa.

Does anyone have any advise as to where the best LPN program is in Tampa, FL? or If getting my LPN license is even a good idea?

All help is greatly appreciated! :)

Have you considered retaking the courses you didn't do as well in to boost your GPA and reapply for admission to the RN program?

I'm an LPN who graduated from Erwin and would highly recommend them; however, if you are close enough to the RN and able to get in with retaking a few classes it seems that would be the cheaper and shortest route. Getting your LPN doesn't guarantee your acceptance into an RN program, you still have to have the pre-reqs done and abide by the admission guidelines. Being an LPN just means you do get to do the transition program and would be exempt from a few of the RN courses (notice I said a few).

As a current LPN, I would recommend trying to get your RN if you can. I do plan to go back to school and my circumstances dictated I do the LPN route first; however, it is a very competitive job market these days and having your RN would put you one step above the others!

Good luck to you in whatever you choose! Nursing is a wonderful field! So many choices and opportunities to learn new things!!

:yeah::nurse:

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I have a question I know erwin is a good school always wanted to go there, but what about Brewster tech, have you ever heard of that school before? I'm asking because I took the teas and did not pass. Honestly to me the on certain sections the time is very limited.{ 1 minute a question} or any other techs schools you might have in mind . . if you can help me out I greatly appreciate it.

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