Which ADN program prepares the best students?

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Sep 3, 2008

Galen is the only one you listed that offers a ASN. Did you know that U of L has an accelerated BSN program? You might want to look into that. http://louisville.edu/nursing/accelerated

U of L, Spalding, & Bellarmine are all great schools. You'd do well to go to any one of them. Ivy Tech in Sellersburg has a really good ASN program, but there is a waiting list. I don't recommend JCC to anyone. Not because they don't turn out good nurses, but their administration dept.s are so unorganized.

xtine618 · Sep 25, 2008

I am currently taking prerequisites for ADN. I have a BA English from the University of Louisville and only need A&PII and Micro/lab. I was planning on applying to JCC in Louisville (I actually live 45 miles north), with tentative plans to finish a BSN at UofL later, but I've read some rather unpleasant posts regarding JCC. I certainly prefer the tuition rates at JCC, but would be willing to pay a bit more at another school as long as the benefits are tangible. I'd like to hear from graduates of different programs (UofL, Bellarmine, Spalding, Galen) and also those who supervise new graduates. Thanks in advance for any input you can offer. :wink2:

I am graduating from Galen's ADN program Oct 2008 and it has been a good experience. The only thing you may not like is that you will have to do the LPN program first b/c you can't enter the RN program unless you are already an LPN or recently graduated from an LPN program. But this is a good thing b/c their LPN program is actually VERY good and has helped me tremenduously in the RN program. We have lots of clinicals which helped prepare me for the floor. I have been doing an "internship" at one of the ICUs and I feel pretty at par with the other new grads who just graduated from U of L, Spalding and Bellarmine. And I must be doing an OK job b/c I got a job there too!

If you decide to go to Galen, be prepared to go to school FULLTIME, at least for the LPN part (the first year). But if you have lots of pre-requisites done, the RN program should be better. I have a friend who has a BS in Health administration and he has been doing some pre-reqs (A/P and Micro) and still can't get into U of L's accelerated program b/c they have a waiting list that is REALLY long and he is pretty disappointed b/c they go strictly by GPA. No letters of recommendation or interviews. He started the same time I started at Galen, and I'm getting ready to graduate and work as a nurse and he has not even begun the nursing program or even been accepted.

Your luck may be better if you have a better GPA, but there are other options and Galen is a pretty good one. Not much experience with the other programs besides the fact that i hear they are really good nursing schools.

gardiner59 · Sep 25, 2008

Thanks xtine618 for the good information! I've heard positive information about Galen, but it is very expensive, no? The full time issue is not a concern, but I'm wondering if you worked while doing your LPN/RN? I'm looking at about $7,000 for the associates degree (RN) from JCC versus about $30,000 for the LPN/RN from Galen, with UofL somewhere in between. What can justify this large difference in cost. Is it easier to get into Galen? I know they start classes more frequently. Is JCC's program just crummy? :confused:

gabriella86 · Sep 25, 2008

Thanks xtine618 for the good information! I've heard positive information about Galen, but it is very expensive, no? The full time issue is not a concern, but I'm wondering if you worked while doing your LPN/RN? I'm looking at about $7,000 for the associates degree (RN) from JCC versus about $30,000 for the LPN/RN from Galen, with UofL somewhere in between. What can justify this large difference in cost. Is it easier to get into Galen? I know they start classes more frequently. Is JCC's program just crummy?

I went to JCC and transferred to Galen. I was told I would have no problem getting in at JCC and that I was in very good standing on their Points system they use to select students. I was guaranteed by the head of the nursing department that I would get in. Well, I got put on the alternate list!!!

I also do not recommend the nursing program at JCC because I have friends who attended there and they have said it is very unorganized and they do not feel very much support from the instructors.

gardiner59 · Sep 25, 2008

xtine618, do you mind saying what courses you had already taken when you applied to JCC's nursing program? I assume you applied directly to the RN program. I too was given the impression that I would be accepted, though I was not guaranteed. They have a new method of accepting students at JCC now. It depends upon one's score on a standardized test rather than a point system as had previously been the case.

gabriella86 · Sep 25, 2008

Do you mean me? Xtine went to Galen....

gardiner59 · Sep 25, 2008

Yes Gabriella86, I'm sorry I wasn't even paying attention to the new post's creator. And thanks for giving me your input and if you don't mind answering my question about which courses you had already taken.

gabriella86 · Sep 25, 2008

Yes Gabriella86, I'm sorry I wasn't even paying attention to the new post's creator. And thanks for giving me your input and if you don't mind answering my question about which courses you had already taken.

Its ok lol. I had taken everything and was just finishing Micro when I finished my nursing file there.

xtine618 · Sep 25, 2008

Thanks xtine618 for the good information! I've heard positive information about Galen, but it is very expensive, no? The full time issue is not a concern, but I'm wondering if you worked while doing your LPN/RN? I'm looking at about $7,000 for the associates degree (RN) from JCC versus about $30,000 for the LPN/RN from Galen, with UofL somewhere in between. What can justify this large difference in cost. Is it easier to get into Galen? I know they start classes more frequently. Is JCC's program just crummy?

I can't give very much info on JCC's program, but I think Gabriella gave you some good insight. I didn't work for the first 6 months of the LPN program b/c I had been out of school for almost 10 years and felt that I should probably give it my undivided attention until I felt more comfortable with being back in school. I think once you get a feel for how the classes are done you might decide that you can handle working and going to school at the same time. I knew a few people who did this and they are graduating with me in October!

It is much easier to work during the RN program b/c lots of students get their LPN license and you can work PRN (as needed). Especially if you have completed pre-reqs already. You can also go to school part-time if you absolutely need to work fulltime. I had already done English, A/P, and math. The only classes I had besides nursing classes was ethics and micro. So not too bad.

I went to Galen b/c they have a good reputation for LPNs (the RN program was brand new when I started). Also b/c I didn't want to be put on a waiting list to start. I had to decide if it was going to cost more money to graduate sooner from an expensive school and get a great job afterwards, or wait up to 2 years to get accepted to a less expensive school, but also waiting 2 years after that to start working as an RN (hopefully that made sense to you). I haven't regretted it yet. Granted, my financial aid re-payment will be more expensive but I plan to keep going to school and get my BSN and Masters so I can keep defferring the payments.

Galen does have a good program and I think you should apply there just in case. They may tell you that you can start as early as the end of October! But whatever you do, don't go to Spencerian. I have only heard horror stories from there! Feel free to send more questions about Galen!

Good Luck!

gardiner59 · Sep 25, 2008

Thanks so much for that information. I think that I'll make an appointment to talk with someone at Galen. I would have to be absolutely certain that they would transfer my credits (I have a BA in ENGLISH, of all things:chuckle). I'm also wondering if Galen's credits transfer back to say UofL for further work on BSN. Do you know that? I'm not a young student (49 this coming month), so I need to get it right. I keep reading posts by students in their 30's thinking they are too old to go back to school. Imagine that? Thanks again.

xtine618 · Sep 25, 2008

Hi gabriella, I couldn't figure out how to reply to your other message you sent me, but I do have to kind of agree that you may not have much of a social life. Not as full as it may be now, but I have met some really great people and in a program as small as Galen's, you end up being super close. You are all in the same situation and it makes you bond. There's girls in my program that go out quite a bit together (not me so much since I am a mom and wife), but b/c the program is year round, while others are free for summer vacation, you are still in class. I think that's the bad side to it. But I definitely tried to make time to have fun. You will probably study like a dog at times b/c that's what you might have to do to pass. I remember bringing nursing books on vacation with me. But it does eventually end. You will graduate and then you will be a well paid nurse and you'll be so glad that you studied hard in nursing school!