Puerto Rico school feedback?

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Anyone out there have info on the school in Arecibo, PR? It is a 24 month program that begins in August.

I'd love to hear anything, thanks.

zzzzzgirl

i also wanted to find out if i took some classes online wethter they would accept them or if i took classes at a community college here if they would be exempted at inter

ie i believe you can take statistics instead of math,spanish 1,2,3/history of puerto rico

christian faith etc

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Specializes in Emergency.

Awanjo:

You are correct, I am a student at Inter currently. I'll try to answer your questions as best I can.

As for financial aid, you are applying to the US federal government via FAFSA, just like at any other school. Inter does have somewhat limited amounts available from the school. I have heard some people complain about not getting enough money, but I haven't really noticed a difference compared to the amount I got at my last school taking the differences in tuition into account. If this will be your first bachelors degree you have the benefit of getting grants from the government as well. This is my second so I'm not eligible. I don't know of too many people who are able to come here and live completely off of loans and grants, but most of the people I know are in the accelerated program too, so most of them are on their second bachelors as well and don't get the fed grants.

They will accept previous credits here for any (as far as I've heard) of the general education requirements. As for classes from the nursing school, I don't think that they would accept any. So, yes, Christian faith, Spanish, math, whatever else they tell you is required that is not directly taken from the nursing department. If you have taken religion classes, or language classes they will accept those in place of Spanish and Christian faith. Some people have gotten other language or world religion classes to count. For me they just looked over my transcript, gave me a paper that said I have to take Christian faith and none of the others.

Books are all bought online, so you can save some money in shipping if you buy them on the mainland, but I wouldn't buy books for a whole program all at one time. Things change, teachers want certain editions, things like that. You would probably pay as much getting them over here as you would just buying online and having them mailed here. This trimester we had a week and a half break so I went home to visit family and just had my books sent there (for the one trimester). They will give a booklist in the nursing office.

Living on the island is fun and it's gorgeous here, but it can be very frustrating at times. Rent is not too expensive, especially if you are coming from the LA area. You can pay anywhere from $200/mo to about $1400 a month depending on what amenities you want. I think that the average for people who have a roommate, AC, Internet, and included appliances are paying around $400/mo once you include utilities. If you are not planning on buying a car, pick your location VERY carefully. I can give you some suggestions if you want to message me once you decide that you are moving. Public transportation here is pretty much a nightmare from what I understand. I ended up buying a car, as have most of my friends, but not all, so it's not a necessity. Food is a lot more expensive here as well as everything else, but it is most noticeable in the grocery store. Movie theaters on the other hand are wicked cheap! We saw the new HP movie one evening for $6.50!

The school's accreditation is not in danger. It was evaluated and renewed as well as the ADN program gained accreditation, which we did not have before in October. What to expect from classes... well, there has been a lot said on this forum about classes so far. My opinion is that it is basically like being in a small classroom with a lot of really loud people. I don't know if it's cultural or what, but people in the classes I have taken NEVER shut up. I have only had one prof. who can keep them quiet and it's an active job. That's been really annoying to me personally. I don't know how other students are dealing with it. Up to this point (second trimester) nothing has been the least bit challenging. I am hoping for a little more of a challenge this time with Adult care 1. It is basically A&P plus the nursing care portion. The teachers seem to be of a much higher quality than last trimester.

I have not looked into taking my NCLEX yet but I think that there are some states that you have to jump through more hoops than others. I have heard that a lot of people are taking the test through the state of CT. Once you have your license though, you can transfer it to any state regardless of where you took the NCLEX.

Hopefully this will help and feel free to ask any other questions you think of. I will try to help as best I can.

Cahoon

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thank you very much cahoon for your reply you answered all my questions and more i already got my application packet and iam in the process of filling it up now i made up my decision to move to pr for this program i will definatelly have more questions for you as the days go by if only i knew this school 3yrs ago

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I have not looked into taking my NCLEX yet but I think that there are some states that you have to jump through more hoops than others. I have heard that a lot of people are taking the test through the state of CT. Once you have your license though, you can transfer it to any state regardless of where you took the NCLEX.

Hopefully this will help and feel free to ask any other questions you think of. I will try to help as best I can.

Cahoon

Hey, I've been lurking on this thread since 2008 but yeah, as far as I know the NCLEX is standardized nationally - same questions WHEREVER you go. I believe the CT thing is regarding working as an LVN. There's an NCLEX site in San Juan. I called them a while back. Also you can check this thread out... Is the NCLEX the same in every state? - Nursing for Nurses . Good luck to everyone in PR. I chose a different route for my BSN but I'm certainly envious of the Island lifestyle/weather down there.

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so are students allowed to work while in school if the financing is not enough to cover all expenses? are menial jobs hard to find there?

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Heyy PuertoRicoLocal I will be moving to PR in June 2011 to go to Inter's nursing program at the metro campus. Would you be able to tell me the best towns to live in that are close to the campus. Im not sure if I will be bringing my car to PR but could you also suggest where to get a car or even a motorcycle in PR. I lived in PR for four months so I am pretty familiar with the San Juan and Rio Piedras areas. My only concern is that I will need a car when it is time to go to clinicals.

Thankx

MissCamille007

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Hey guys,

I will be attending Inter. this Aug. 2011. But I cannot seem to find out the total cost of the program for the trimester/2yr sequence. Can someone please tell me how much the program costs. I need to take out loans in order to apply.

Thanks

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The associates program at InterAmerican was approved for accreditation in the most recent round of accreditation

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Hey guys,

I will be attending Inter. this Aug. 2011. But I cannot seem to find out the total cost of the program for the trimester/2yr sequence. Can someone please tell me how much the program costs. I need to take out loans in order to apply.

Thanks

The cost per trimester depends on the number of credits you're taking. The cost for my first trimester was $2,310 taking 10 credits. It's more expensive this trimester because I'm taking more credits, but I can't find the paper saying exactly how much.

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so are students allowed to work while in school if the financing is not enough to cover all expenses? are menial jobs hard to find there?

Students are allowed to work while in school and there are many students who work full time while in the program (I'm sure their lives are crazy busy). The fact that it is a night program makes working easier. It is difficult to find work here, though I'm sure it depends on your skill set and Spanish abilities.

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I just graduated from FAU and I'm applying to InterAmericana's nursing program. I ordered my transcripts so when they get in i'll send them with my application. However, what is a catalog course i see ppl mention? I'm applying for August 2011 and planning to live with my grandmother in Cayey if my friend doesnt come with me. Are nursing students able to work and go to school plus clinicals???? I'm exicited that I'm not the only one from the states going. It would be easier to make friends even though i do have the advantage of speaking spanish i'm not that fluent enough to take the whole program in spanish. Anyone else applying for August 2011???? I'm going to P.R in March to check the school out and get a little vacation as well. I was going to apply to a private school here but it would of cost me $40,000 and I would get my RN only not my BSN. Therefore, I thought this was a much better choice

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Designer-Mommy, I sent you a PM...hope you don't mind and I apologize for not making a formal introduction. I'm applying to Interamericana's August 2011 session and I'm planning to make a visit to the campus in March or April to make sure that they have everything that they need from me. Can anyone tell me if the school has a break during March or April? I usually visit San Juan in the summer when school isn't in session and I don't want to make that mistake this time. I also haven't been able to talk with anyone in the nursing department this time, can anyone recommend a contact or "E" to help facilitate the application process? Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

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