Cambridge Medical Institute? ?

Bre Breezy · Nov 17, 2013

Not sure if I could at all help you but... I know that Cambridge is a good school but because it is private it will cost you so much... I will be attending Orlando tech in the LPN program this Jan 2014 and they have a great program and it is less than a quarter of the cost

Cynt87 · Nov 17, 2013

Thanks Bre I was looking at Orlando Tech but I believe I missed the deadline for the PT program. I sorta don't want to wait until 2015 for the next pt class to start and cambridge has a class in January and then again in April. Also Lake Tech in Eustis has a class in Mar/April I'm looking at. Their all tech schools and I wanted some info on cambridge because I hadn't seen anyone talk about it. Were you looking at Cambridge at one point? Its seems pretty good and yes it is costly. Federal Student loans will have to make up the difference but hopefully its worth it in the long run.

aw6018 · Sep 2, 2015

Hi Cynt87,

Did you attend Cambridge? If so any regrets? I'm in the same boat right now, needing to find a school that accommodates my work schedule. I'm currently doing pre reqs for nursing at a community college, and still have a little over a year left to complete them. I was thinking over just going to Cambridge for my LPN once this semester ends, that way I can graduate and work in the nursing field sooner than later.

I've just heard so many people say it's better to go ahead to the RN program, instead of wasting a year for LPN classes. I already have about 20,000 racked up in student loans from when I was younger and didn't really research the school thoroughly. The thought of adding an additional 21,000 on top of my already existing 20,000 just for a certification kind of makes me sick.

Any advice would appreciated.

Cynt87 · Sep 18, 2015

Hi aw6018,

I actually did go to Cambridge. I graduate next month 10/28/15 THANK GOD!!! I was in your exact same boat. Back in may I started attending Valencia to finish out my last 2 pre reqs which was developmental psych and microbiology. I took pysch over the summer and plan on taking micro in the spring term since I didn't want to do that during fall semester as i will have to take my nclex at the same time. I have hopeful plans to be apart of the valencia bridge class starting fall 2016. As for Cambridge I have my regrets because it can be unorganized at times but I had a good instructor. Financial Aid was a nightmare because the financial aid dept was unorganized. Lucky I kept Track of all my finances and knew how much I qualified for and when I was supposed to receive it. I ending up with $14k in loans when it was all said and done with. Plus I had 10k from previous schooling. So it wasn't cheap. Also My program was entirely too long. It was 85 weeks aka 22 months . They recently cut it to 18 month for the new evening classes starting. For me it worked because I went to college 10 years ago and actually did horrible my last semester and had below a 2.0 and didn't qualify for financial aid at any of the universities or CCS so I would of been stuck paying out of pocket like I'm doing yo finish out my pre reqs. This is something I didn't realize before and I'm glad the length of the program gave me time to correct some of my mistakes. (Currently taking 2 course that is had gotten Fs in for grade forgiveness) also I could of switched to the day LPN class and graduated in March but like I said I had a really good teacher and by the time I found out the true length of the program I was already invested 8k in and 5 months into the program. I had to continue on. Within 8 months I successfully challenged the CNA exam and landed a job at florida Hospital as a PCT. If I could do it over again I would still presume my LPN but I would try for a tech school first for a cheaper price because I can get grants to cover my ASN bridge at the CC but I'm a little worried about running out of grants for my BSN. But I will figure it out as that comes along. I eventually would like to become a NP so we shall she how it all goods.

Cynt87 · Sep 18, 2015

Super sorry for all the typos and grammar errors. I'm on my phone and that was a lot to type. Let me know if you have any questions about anything and I'll try my best to help. :)

aw6018 · Sep 18, 2015

Cynt87, Thank you for replying. I'm still kind of going back and forth with this whole thing. I do understand your regrets in wishing you had found a tech school. Most of the tech schools that offer the program only charge about 6000.00 or less for their LPN program. That is a huge difference from 14,000-21,000. However, I do work 40hrs a week (day time hours) and Cambridge is the only school that I can find that fits with my working schedule. Would be awesome to go to Orlando or TECO tech but I just don't think it's realistic for me. That's awesome that you are now working as a patient care tech at Florida Hospital. I used to work for FH (admin field), I left about two years ago though. I actually took a home health course in June, I never took the CNA test because I'm awful when it comes to skills tests. I get so nervous. But I do have the home health aide certificate. I was told by someone that if you have that certificate you can also apply as a patient care tech. I have applied to a few positions, but have not had any luck. I think if I found a patient care tech position that allowed me flexibility in schedule I would most certainly skip the LPN program and just dive in to completing RN program.

aw6018 · Sep 18, 2015

lol no worries, it happens to us all.

Cynt87 · Sep 18, 2015

That was exactly what happened to me I was working 40 hrs a week 8 to 5 mon to Fri so a RN program would not have worked for me. I would get out of work and brave traffic to get to school by 6. Once clinicals started it was much better we had clinicals 2 times a week. A 6 to 10pm on a weeknight and then saturdays 630am to about 330pm. I was greatful I got the job at FH I work night shift 12 hrs 3 days a week and they were super flexible with my schedule since I was a student. As a PCT you need to have the cna license. I literally watched youtube. 4yourcna tells you exactly how to do the skills. I look back and laugh at how easy those skills are lol. I too wish i had of found a pct job but then again i would of gotten a rude awaking when i would of applied for FA. Starting school my son was 7 months and now he is 2. I feel a little guilty working/schooling so much but In the end it is totally worth. If anyone knows the battle your going through it is me. You gotta do what bests for you. I shake my head at the cost but I plan on busting my butt to pay it off. I just turned 28 so I feel like time is catching up on me but I'm hanging in there. Good luck let me know if I can help in anyway

aw6018 · Sep 18, 2015

Thanks so much! Well I am now 32 and feel like time is catching up! lol I still have quite a bit of pre reqs to knock out. I am also a mother. My son is 15 yrs old, and at that age where I really need to watch him closely. (teenage years SUCK!) I was thinking of going ahead and knocking out pre reqs as it will take some time, my son will be turning 17 by the time I complete them (as I have to go part-time) I know the nursing programs are very difficult to get into, and most of them have waiting lists. I hear that cambridge has an A.S Nursing now, and their program isn't as demanding as other schools from what I've heard. As of right now they offer mon-fri 1:30pm-5:30pm. Spoke with their adviser and he stated that they are trying to implement a night time program for Nursing. That could be an option for me once pre reqs are completed. I'm just trying to make sure I'm available to my son as these years are the toughest. At the same time trying to not just put myself on the back burner completely, and at least be working towards something. Sounds like you and I both have a lot in common though. My work schedule is similar to how you described your previous office job. That's awesome that you are working the night shift, as you get the differential in pay. As an LPN you will make will over that 14,000 that tuition cost you, and I'm sure you'll be able to pay it off sooner than later. Sounds like it really worked out for you. :)

Cynt87 · Sep 18, 2015

Yes it did. Yes Cambridge did start a ASN. To my knowledge the pre reqs are included and you get no credit if you already have them completed. Next it's a new program so it is not accredited yet. It's approved but not accredited. Plus the price is double that of the PN for a ASN. I'm going to pass on that. But I really hope something works out for you. Just keep at it you will find your path

aw6018 · Sep 18, 2015

Oh that's interesting! The adviser told me the program was accredited. And that a transfer student from a community college would be allowed. He advised me to knock all pre reqs out then apply. After already attending a private college in the past I know that you can't always believe everything an employee tells you, they are there to tell you what you want to hear. From the reviews on this school it seems that Cambridge pretty much does just that. And yes I did see the tuition cost! OMG...lol Thanks for giving me feed back. I appreciate it.

That's refreshing to know that at least once you're in the clinicals it's a little easier. Can you tell me when clinicals start? Last three or four months of the program?