Concorde?

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Hello. I'm moving to Southern California mid-December. I want to eventually get a B.S. in Nursing, but I want to become an LVN first for experience and also to make some money while going to school. I do have some college credit already, but it's just core curriculum and electives, so it won't help much anyhow. I was wondering what all people have heard about Concorde? What other colleges are there around there with an accelerated LVN program?

Shirley~ Well, for us (my Mom and I are taking the class together) we started to take a look at the program in July/Aug. of '06...the next pt class was scheduled to start in late April '07 and they kept telling us we needed to hurry because the slots fill up quickly. Whatever- I'm sure they do (and we DID start with a full class of 30) but THAT early?- I doubt it. We began the testing process in the winter of '07.

Anyways, it was a bit of a process...there were 2 tests we had to take- entrance exam like tests- and you have to pass them to get into the program. If you don't pass them they try and sell you the MA program to work your way up to the LVN program- but that's up to you (and 8 more months of school and who knows how much more $$$ to Concorde if you choose that route!)...that's a bridge to cross if you get there....So, you just spend quite a bit of time talking to your rep, scheduling test times, taking the tests and then waiting for your results (we waited for about a week before finding out if we passed or not- good NCLEX practice I guess). At the same time they help you figure out all the financial aid stuff so there is 1000 pages of paper work to fill out...

When it's all said and done, all papers filed, all tests taken and passed, they then tell you that the final thing you must have a meeting with the Director of Nurses and she (or he, I suppose) has the final say as to if you will be accepted or not. I have not heard of anybody being turned away after the DON meeting- I mean, come on, they now have your $25 grand- why would they say, "thanks anyways"...???...and all they really ask are questions like, "why do you want to be a nurse?" and the like...That interview is the least of your worries (and if your stay at Concorde is anything like mine you will see several DONs during your time so I really think it's more for show...)

I do believe that we were finished with the process about 2 wks before the class started. They did tell us that there was a race between reps to turn in the paper work because of the limited space left and that we got the last 2 of 3 slots open still...but I don't know how much of that is true. As I said, we did start with a full class- and there were several people there at the start waiting to see if anyone dropped- so I guess it is important to get in there and start/finish the process.

Hopefully if you are interested then you will already be in there getting everything squared away as soon as you can and things will run smoothly for you! :) Best of luck!

If you have anymore questions I'll try and answer them if I can...;)

~Brandy :)

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wow brandy.. Great rundown.. I did the first test and waiting to do the net test. They also tried to sell me the ma program, but I stood my ground.

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I just graduated from Concorde in Garden Grove. They have the weekend LVN program (18 months, attending Sat, Sun, & Mon. evening) The cost was $26,000. I started September 12, 2005 & finished 3/2007. As for my experience, here are the details in a nutshell:

1. Why I chose Concorde: Needed a weekend program due to work situation.

2. Did I get my money's worth: I did graduate and just passed the NCLEX. As far as that is concerned, yes. As for the education, I think that it could have been better for the money that I spent.

3. Would I choose Concorde again: Maybe. I would really weigh my options at JC, ROP and RN programs first. I am 37 so I felt that the 2-4 year wait list was extreme in my case. That was another factor on why I chose to take this option.

4. How can you better your education: You have to be COMPLETELY committed to this program. A large percentage of the program is self study. If you short change yourself, you suffer. What I mean is that if you cram in the information, you will pass the exams. What you will loose is the knowledge. They are not big on reviewing the info. You complete a section and move on. Also, be your own advocate. If you are not getting what you expected, say so.

5. Positives about Concorde: The schedule fit my work schedule. Clinical rotations are at a variety of locations and not just nursing homes. Their NCLEX pass ration is high. There is no waiting list. The campus is very close to my home so the commute was almost nothing...about 3 minutes! Can't beat that in Orange County.

I want to wish everyone luck regardless of what route you choose. Study hard. It is worth all the blood sweat and tears in the end!

:balloons: Kim

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Shirley~ Well, for us (my Mom and I are taking the class together) we started to take a look at the program in July/Aug. of '06...the next pt class was scheduled to start in late April '07 and they kept telling us we needed to hurry because the slots fill up quickly. Whatever- I'm sure they do (and we DID start with a full class of 30) but THAT early?- I doubt it. We began the testing process in the winter of '07.

Anyways, it was a bit of a process...there were 2 tests we had to take- entrance exam like tests- and you have to pass them to get into the program. If you don't pass them they try and sell you the MA program to work your way up to the LVN program- but that's up to you (and 8 more months of school and who knows how much more $$$ to Concorde if you choose that route!)...that's a bridge to cross if you get there....So, you just spend quite a bit of time talking to your rep, scheduling test times, taking the tests and then waiting for your results (we waited for about a week before finding out if we passed or not- good NCLEX practice I guess). At the same time they help you figure out all the financial aid stuff so there is 1000 pages of paper work to fill out...

When it's all said and done, all papers filed, all tests taken and passed, they then tell you that the final thing you must have a meeting with the Director of Nurses and she (or he, I suppose) has the final say as to if you will be accepted or not. I have not heard of anybody being turned away after the DON meeting- I mean, come on, they now have your $25 grand- why would they say, "thanks anyways"...???...and all they really ask are questions like, "why do you want to be a nurse?" and the like...That interview is the least of your worries (and if your stay at Concorde is anything like mine you will see several DONs during your time so I really think it's more for show...)

I do believe that we were finished with the process about 2 wks before the class started. They did tell us that there was a race between reps to turn in the paper work because of the limited space left and that we got the last 2 of 3 slots open still...but I don't know how much of that is true. As I said, we did start with a full class- and there were several people there at the start waiting to see if anyone dropped- so I guess it is important to get in there and start/finish the process.

Hopefully if you are interested then you will already be in there getting everything squared away as soon as you can and things will run smoothly for you! :) Best of luck!

If you have anymore questions I'll try and answer them if I can...;)

~Brandy :)

hi brandy,

i was wondering if they pick potential students by the passing grade score?? higher the better??

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it's now $26,000 to attend Concorde.

Dave5000

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it's now $26,000 to attend Concorde.

Dave5000

thanks. i'm going to try to talk to them in a couple weeks. do you know anything about maric? are there any community college without a really long wait list?

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I don't think so. I just took the test for Maric's RN program at the San Diego campus. They just changed the program up a bit. Are you looking for RN or LVN?

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I don't think so. I just took the test for Maric's RN program at the San Diego campus. They just changed the program up a bit. Are you looking for RN or LVN?

well i want to get a bsn at a university. but i don't have a lot of time that i'll be in Southern California to be on a wait list. my husband is a marine so we'll prolly pcs after about three years. so i was thinking i could get my LVN and work for a year. maybe take some electives at a university. then when we pcs i could get on a wait list to whichever the closest university is and work as an lvn while i wait. hopefully the wait list then won't be as bad as cali schools!!

we should be moving to carlsbad, so i was thinking i'd prolly try to go to the maric in vista. have you heard anything about it?

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Concorde Career LVNcost $25,000,local community college cost$1,800 so go figure your paying to not be on a waiting list.

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