Concorde Arlington, Texas work/school

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So I just got out of the Army. I'm looking at going to Concorde for personal reasons for LVN program then afterwards to community college for LVN to RN bridge. The hours are Mon thru Fri...8am-6pm. :smackingf I'm guessing that's for the first few months before clinicals start. I have to work no matter what. I should have about 1200 a month given to me by the government as part of the new GI Bill now called the 9/11 Bill effective August of this year. But I will still have to work atleast on the weekends for extra money so I can atleast live good and not just on ramen noodles. and be able to pay rent, gas, electricity, water, truck payment, insurance, etc.

Just wanted to know though of anybody going to Concorde here in Arlington with the same situation or story about working etc. I really need somebody to relate to...so I can feel better about my situation. I'm just getting scared that it might not work out.

Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.

Why would you go to Concorde? They are not an acredited school. It's one of those schools that charge $25K, give or take, when you could go to a community college to start with for less than $10K. I got my RN for less than $10K at a local community college.

I know an LVN that went to Concorde. There are several people I over heard talking about her and that think she is ignorant for choosing this route. Please search out other options.

Weatherford and Hill College in Cleburne offer LVN programs and are accredited schools. Go to Cleburne....please don't go Concorde, you'll likely regret it.

Why would you go to Concorde? They are not an acredited school. It's one of those schools that charge $25K, give or take, when you could go to a community college to start with for less than $10K. I got my RN for less than $10K at a local community college.

I know an LVN that went to Concorde. There are several people I over heard talking about her and that think she is ignorant for choosing this route. Please search out other options.

Weatherford and Hill College in Cleburne offer LVN programs and are accredited schools. Go to Cleburne....please don't go Concorde, you'll likely regret it.

Weatherford and Hill College I'll check those out thank you.

I'm know how expensive it is for Concorde. I just went down today to talk with the admisssions rep. For the LVN 1 year program its currently just over 23,000. Expensive yes, but there is no waiting to get in and no having to be ranked by GPA/ classes just to get in which I like personally. You can make good money in Texas as an LVN and pay back any remaining balance of the tuition after GI Bill and grants etc, pretty quick. And I would be getting my RN thru a bridge program as quick as possible.

And from what I was told today Concorde is accredited nationally and by the BON and by the U.S. Department of Education. And all I have been reading is positive things about Concorde really. I can't go to Cleburne that's over and hour and a half away from my house in Lewisville, Texas. I got NCTC 10 minutes up the road from my house which would be nice if they didn't have the whole waiting period to get in and rankings etc. Brookhaven is down the road in Farmers Branch...and then El Centro in downtown Dallas. But they area ll pretty competative to get accepted into Nursing. Concorde I don't have to worry about it.

Specializes in School Nursing, Pedi., Critical Care.

I know someone that was a clinical instructor for Concorde. Besides the fact that I got my BSN for cheaper than your LVN would cost at Concorde I would not recommend them. LVN's in Texas do not make THAT much money, that is why all the LVN's I know and work with are currently in school for their RN. If you know you are going to get your RN I would not waste your time and $$$. I also know that they also do clinicals on weekends. If they basically have no requirements to get in imagine what kind of people they attract? I have personally precepted for Concorde students and I will tell you that there are some really good, mature students and there are some that, well..... I don't want to offend anyone. If I were you I would definitely consider Brookhaven or El Centro. It will probably be easiet to work while at a community college also.

Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.

Do what you have to do. I don't want to discourage you. It's just a really expensive school. I got right into an RN program without any waiting at all, but I had practically all As in prereqs. I understand you may not want to wait, but just do your research first, don't be ignorant as to other options available. Then make your decision.

Also, call a community college and find out for sure if they will take credit for the classes you'll be taking at Concorde. You may not have to wait either for the comm college, check it out thoroughly. It would be awful to have to redo all those prereqs. Good luck.

Specializes in School Nursing.

I have nothing constructive to add, but wanted to say thank you for your service to our country!

I know someone that was a clinical instructor for Concorde. Besides the fact that I got my BSN for cheaper than your LVN would cost at Concorde I would not recommend them. LVN's in Texas do not make THAT much money, that is why all the LVN's I know and work with are currently in school for their RN. If you know you are going to get your RN I would not waste your time and $$$. I also know that they also do clinicals on weekends. If they basically have no requirements to get in imagine what kind of people they attract? I have personally precepted for Concorde students and I will tell you that there are some really good, mature students and there are some that, well..... I don't want to offend anyone. If I were you I would definitely consider Brookhaven or El Centro. It will probably be easiet to work while at a community college also.

Well, I can rule out Concorde anyways. I called up and asked IAVA about the new 9/11 Bill. It won't cover Concord they said only the soon to be old GI Bill will. I'm going to look back into public anways. That way I get the full benefits of the 9/11 Bill given to me and I always got the "Hazelwood Act for Texas too that's only honored with public schools. I live in Lewisville....12 minutes from NCTC probably 20-25mins from Brookhaven. El Centro is in the heart of Dallas. Don't think I feel like making that drive everyday. Somebody told me today to check out Collin County Community College ADN program in Frisco. It's supposed to be a good one too. Get my LVN then do a bridge program and it wont cost me a dime with the 9/11 bill alone and Hazelwood Act. I'm getting so excited. Thanks for the input.

btw: Concorde in Arlington cost just over 23k for the 1year day programe 8am-6pm mon-fri (YIKES) and 25k for the 17 month weekend and 2 days a week deal.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
LVN's in Texas do not make THAT much money, that is why all the LVN's I know and work with are currently in school for their RN.
As an LVN in the DFW area, I earned $60,000 last year with my 12-month diploma. My base pay rate was $25 per hour due to my experience. Many people with advanced MA/MS degrees will never earn that type of money on an annual basis, especially if they selected a humanities or liberal arts major. Sometimes nurses do not realize how good we have it, especially in the eyes of the unemployed person with the Ph.d in fine arts or sociology.

In my opinion, LVN pay is decent in Texas when compared to the cost of living and the relatively short training time. And, yes, I am enrolled in an RN program because I'd very much like to earn even more money. :)

As an LVN in the DFW area, I earned $60,000 last year with my 12-month diploma. My base pay rate was $25 per hour due to my experience. Many people with advanced MA/MS degrees will never earn that type of money on an annual basis, especially if they selected a humanities or liberal arts major. Sometimes nurses do not realize how good we have it, especially in the eyes of the unemployed person with the Ph.d in fine arts or sociology.

In my opinion, LVN pay is decent in Texas when compared to the cost of living and the relatively short training time. And, yes, I am enrolled in an RN program because I'd very much like to earn even more money. :)

:yeahthat: :smilecoffeeIlovecof

What do you guys think about Brookhaven, NCTC, Collin County? Any of those I should stay away from for any reason?

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
:yeahthat: :smilecoffeeIlovecof

What do you guys think about Brookhaven, NCTC, Collin County? Any of those I should stay away from for any reason?

Just be cognizant of the fact that most community college nursing programs are fiercely competitive to get admitted into. All of the schools you've mentioned are good, and they all have hundreds of applicants applying for only a few nursing program slots each semester.

I chose the expensive trade school route, and so far I have no regrets.

My advice go to a community college and consider going straight into a RN program. You will save money and time in the long run. The pre-reqs only take 6-12 months then you can apply. The new GI bill will almost cover all your personal expenses and definitely your school expenses. You can always get other financial aid such as pells and loans with the FAFSA to cover anything else to get you through it all. Once you are an RN you will be able to easily pay the loans off. Stay away from private schools they cost too much and offer nothing that colleges do not. I know 2-3 years sounds like a long time but it will fly by and you will be happy if you do RN now while you can. Remember we might have Hazelwood and New GI bill now but in the future who knows what kind of cutbacks the government or state of Texas might do because of the current economic situation. Nothing is guaranteed. I am pursuing RN training and it has been a long road but so far pretty fun. Also most RN schools will let you test out for the LVN at the 1 year mark if you decide you have to leave school for financial reasons. Just my 2 cents good luck.

Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

now this is simply not true... with the exception of this job i have now i have always made 27-30 + hourly . i know many lvn's that fall into this category; they simply want the rn behind their name to get more opportunities...now realize everyone does not make this it all depends on where you work and how you negotiate.

. lvn's in texas do not make that much money, that is why all the lvn's i know and work with are currently in school for their rn.
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