Concorde's Medical Assistant or LVN Program?

life_aknew · Jan 18, 2011

Please...Please, the LVN for sure. I have no idea why they are advising you to take the MA track first (I think to make more money off of you but no one asked my opinion on that so I'll keep it to myself) but if you did good on the LVN test, I see no reason for you not to go for what you're setting out to do. Medical assistants and nurses are not the same. Apples and oranges is the poplular saying. I know sometimes people need something immediately in order to support their families but from a financial point of view you will also save tons of money by just going for your LVN. Did they give you a reason for this suggestion?

Anyway, best of luck with whatever you decide to do. If ever given the opportunity to be 24 again, I would bypass the MA program and would go straight for the gusto.

kishjo2004 · Jan 19, 2011

They tried to push the MA program on me as well. It just did not make sense for me to go that route. I tested today and scored well for the LVN program. It did make me a bit leery because they kept pushing the MA. I feel that it's to make more money too.

kbucksn · Jan 19, 2011

I would not do the MA program. If you want to be an RN go the LVN route and then bridge...the MA will waste your time and money. I actually knew a lady that was an MA for years...she regretted it sooooooo much, she had kids to raise so culdnt go back to school until they were much older, well she had to get her LVN to get her RN...she wished she had done that in the first place. I dont know of any RN programs that give u any credit for being an MA. Sounds like they are trying to talk you into whatever will make THEM money. have you looked into a community college?? the tuition is much less and you could get grants that will pay for everything and not cost you. if needed you could even get student loans to live off of. that is what i am doing to get my RN. Yes I have to pay it back but i feel it will be worth it in the end. Honestly as an MA you will probably only make 10-12 $ an hour depending on where you live.You could make more with your LVN and again it is a stepping stone to the RN transition. Good luck with whatever you do :)

ImASuckyCMA87 · Jan 19, 2011

Coming straight from an MA... SKIP THE MA!

wesslyn06 · Aug 26, 2011

I too am looking into Concorde's LVN program. I am wondering if you started and how is it going? Is it a good school? Thanks

Cconde86 · Aug 26, 2011

I too am looking into Concorde's LVN program. I am wondering if you started and how is it going? Is it a good school? Thanks

Hi wesslyn06,

I ended up doing the MA program first simply because I have no medical background, and I really enjoyed the course. I will be starting the LVN program in a couple of weeks the program is 13 months long I start on 9/06/11 and finish in 11/09/12. I do think it is a good school very strict wich I think is a very good trait to start before you even get into the field.. There NCLEX passing rate just made 100% for the year 2011, when I was looking into it they were at 92.7% for the 2010 year! Is a very intensive program, you will get dropped by the 2nd term if you can pass there pharmacollogy course with an 85% or higher. But like I say "short sacrifices for very long benefits".

Are you looking into the concorde in San Diego or what Concorde are you looking into? I'm in SD..

wesslyn06 · Aug 27, 2011

Hi Thanks for replying!

I have two years' experience as an MA I don't have a certificate though. But my goal is getting my BSN then CRNA. It’s just such a process to go through a community college right now. I also look in West Cost University BSN program but the school isn’t WASC accredited and the tuition is really expensive! So I've been looking into LVN programs. I live in Redlands so I'm looking into the San Bernardino program. I want more experience and need to work before I go for my BSN and I figure I can do the LVN to BSN. I am 25 and I have a 15 month old son so you and I are both young enough to pursue our career! I’m going in to Concorde on Monday!

Columnist · Aug 30, 2011

Moved to CA Nursing Programs Discussion forum.