Concorde in Jacksonville?

U.S.A. Florida

Published

I tried to do a search and there doesnt seem to be anyone that has gone to the nursing program at Concorde in Jacksonville. I was accepted into their Spetember class with the option of starting later this month if sopts become available. I know there are Concordes in other cities but Im sure that every city has different experiences. Any comments, good or bad, would be appreciated.

I will starting at Sanford-Brown in Jan 2011. the bottom line is this, an education is what you make of it. Going to Public college does not mean that you are sure to pass the licensure exam. If you do not apply yourself you will not pass. I am proud to go to Sanford-Brown. I am 42 years old and I do not have to time to waste.

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I just want to tell everyone that Sanford Brown's RN program is fantastic. The director is very experienced, and professional. She was the director for a community college in Kentucky and moved here to start Sanford's program. They do have a waiting list for the future classes. You have the option of taking prereqs outside the school or from them. I had just about all of my prereqs done, and I had all A's. I chose to go there because I could start in Jan., rather than waiting to take the last 2 prereqs for FCCJ and then apply and wait. I am happy with my decision, so far. I don't know how it will transfer to other public schools for bsn in the future, but I am not worried about it because I can just get my AA from FCCJ and then go on from there.

Hi RNin10,

Just wanted 2 get some updates on your experience with SB. So looking forward 2 what u have 2 say. I'm trying 2 decide SB, Keiser or Concorde.... Thanks for your advice in advance. Hope 2 hear from you soon !!!

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Specializes in Corrections, tele/med surg.
Hi RNin10,

Just wanted 2 get some updates on your experience with SB. So looking forward 2 what u have 2 say. I'm trying 2 decide SB, Keiser or Concorde.... Thanks for your advice in advance. Hope 2 hear from you soon !!!

Still pleased as punch. I am impressed that the school is willing to do everything possible to help you pass NCLEX. So, we have had the use of HESI, Hurst Review, ATI, and Saunders! I take my final in my last class tomorrow and I am starting my preceptorship!!! :yeah:The education is what you make of it, there are negative people everywhere. In any program you have to work hard, and this one is no exception! Lots of reading!!! Good luck!:nurse:

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I am replying to everyone's posts. Some of you have some incorrect information while others have semi incorrect/correct info. First let me start off by saying I don't knock any of the schools whether it be private or my local state or university school. The saying is true that "you can't knock it till you try it". I have done some extensive research on this b/c I have a long term goal of becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist w/ a MSN. When researching a school in my local area that offers this program it was of course University of North Florida (UNF). One of the requirements for admissions was that of course you had to have your BSN and it had to be from a REGIONALLY accredited school with an CCNE and NLN accreditation. Now when I read this I had to call the school to get some clarification as to what exactly this meant and to try to find out which schools has this accreditation. I found it some what discouraging to know that Concorde, Sanford Brown, Cambridge Medical (not Chamberlain Nursing), b/c everyone gets those mixed up, and even Keiser are all not Regionally accredited by the CCNE and NLN accreditation. Now, these schools are all accredited but they Sanford and Concorde are NATIONALLY accredited not REGIONALLY, and that's the difference when your looking to transfer over to a University to further your education as a BSN or MSN or Phd major. It is true for those of you who said Concorde and Sanford Brown will receive their accreditation pending they have the number of graduating classes that the state permisses them to have with the number of passing students on the NCLEX that they are required to have, given they meet these requirements those schools will definitely become accredited Nationally but not REGIONALLY. So, those students will be able to sit for the NCLEX for the RN license just like a student from a state, community college or University . Now, the difference between the REGIONAL and NATIONAL accreditation is this: REGIONAL accreditation requires the school to undergo a more strict and in depth accreditation requiring more from the program, so therefore the school requires more form the students. NATIONAL accreditation requires a little less from the school to be accredited and therefore requires a little less from the students. So they both become accredited but they are both accredited under different accrediting commissions requiring different acceptance and program operating terms. So, the reason this was discouraging to me is b/c I have about 5 more pre-reqs to go before I can apply into the RN program and I am current enrolled at FSCJ and am fully aware and nervous of how difficult it is to get into the program at FSCJ. So, I figured when it is time for me to apply that I would apply at FSCJ and after 2-3 semesters if I don't get in then I would consider Sanford Brown since I liked them a little better than Concorde, BUT here's my I got discouraged b/c they are only NATIONALLY accredited and not REGIONALLY accredited by the CCNE and NLN commissions then when I get ready to go for my BSN and even MSN to be a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist UNF or any University for that matter will not accept that A.S degree in Nursing from neither of those private side colleges b/c they have to be CCNE and NLN accredited just as they are, now that my friends is the difference in the accreditations. So, I can't even consider Sanford Brown now as a second option if it takes me to long to get into FSCJ b/c it would be a total waste for me being that I'm trying to go further. You would basically and sadly to say have to do the ASN all over again if you went to a University to try and get your BSN b/c that ASN wouldn't transfer. So, my friends it's really a matter of how high you want to go in the field, b/c if you only want an ASN then you can go to Concorde or Sanford Brown but if you want to go beyond a ASN then don't waste your time b/c it will not transfer. So, now I'm stuck with just waiting until I get in and prayerfully I'll get in quickly.

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Hope all is well....

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Hi all,

I just wanted to comment on the poster that said all schools (Keiser, Sandford, Concorde, etc.) were all scam schools, this is incorrect. Just because an institution is not for you doesn't mean that it is a scam. These "scam" schools are career colleges which means they cater to the working adult. The tuition is more expensive at these institutions because most of these schools are based out of another state and you are paying out of state tuition.

FSC/FCCJ does offer their program at an affordable rate, but the time that you waste waiting on getting accepted after you have busted your butt taking pre-req with no guaranteed seat, no. These other schools once you have been accepted you are in the program and you take your pre-reqs with your core courses, you finish faster and can begin working as a nurse.

As far as the accreditation goes, before any school can offer a nursing program they must FIRST petition the state board of nursing and the curriculum has to be approved, once the curriculum has been approved the students enrolled in that program are under provisional accreditation until 2 classes have successfully graduated with 24 passing the NCLEX.

Transferring of credits is possible but it has to be with another private institution. Whenever faced with choices ALWAYS do your due diligence to gather all the information possible in order to make the best and most informed decision.

I am proud to be a student of one of the so called "scam" schools because at ANY given time I can call up my director of nursing and talk to her about ANYTHING, she is always available. If she thinks something is going on with you she will approach you to see if there is anything that she can do to assist you and best of all her last 10 nursing classes graduated and she has a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX. I guess the old adage is true, you get what you pay for.

Proud Sanford-Brown Nursing student graduating Aug 2010!!!:yeah:

I am new to the board and was wondering your status.. I am considering either school for RN. I wanted to here your finished experience. Congrats on last month.

Hope all is well.........

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any one knows where can I take pharmacology classes to set in the PN Exame?

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KR711... Doesn't the BSN program you would transfer to need to have CCNE and NLN accreditations in order to get into the MSN program? I'm not sure how that applies to an ASN program if you transer to a RN@BSN that holds those accreditations.

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I went to Concorde Career Institute today and was very shocked at the Admissions office. On the way there I received directions from Heather through email which I was lost in Jacksonville. Luckily, I left Brunswick at 10:45 am arrived at noon for my appointment walking up the stairs two hours late. I walked in and received an application is what I would call it. She called me into her office to ask me some questions go over the tuition $40,486.12. It is a 15 month program starts April 23, 2012 and you finish July 31, 2013. The classes are from 8am-5pm Monday-Friday. Rn program is broken down into 6 terms. I had to take a 12 minute assessment test also know as the Wonderlic Test which they do not tell you that. My advice is to go over the Cpat, Wonderlic, and Teas test practice on www.testprepreview.com. In order to become admitted in the program 17 on the Wonderlic and A 58 OR BETTER ON THE TEAS TEST. The program only accepts 33 students each time around. She stated they have started a waiting list but you can out score the people who were accepted. I did not pass the Wonderlic on the first try and after meeting with financial aid I took it again on paper did not pass again. The admissions lady scheduled me for another test on next Wed November 30 which is the Cpat test. My test anxiety overwhelmed me but she was sure I will pass the Cpat. Financial aid was very interesting. I noticed most of the staff where not dressed as professionals all street clothes. She gave me a folder it wanted me to complete the FAFSA on the web, my tax return, personal data sheet, drivers license, social security card and establish a pin. At the end of the conversation she stated they needed $13,086.00 not covered by financial aid in order for me to start the program and also the $100 application fee is my responsibility. My breakdown was 7,400 PELL GRANT, FEDERAL STAFFORD LOAN $9,500 YEAR 1 $10,500 YEAR 2 half subsidized/unsubsidized. I was very frustrated when I left about the whole trip felt like I still did not get enough information about the success rates of the Concorde RN Graduates. However, I did notice a nice picture of the LPN program looks like that programs excels. The program is approved and the school is accrediated ACCIS. Hope this helps anyone.

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Update I passed my CPAT with a 167. I was so happy due to the sad face from the Wonderlic the unacceptable 16 I made but they are trying to persuade me into the practical nursing program. I am getting ready for the TEAS I have to take it before January 2012.

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Im a 2010 graduate of Concorde, and I do not reccomend it to anyone. The admissions dept is a bunch of used-car salesmen. The lying starts there and goes all the way to the top.

Most nursing instructors lack professionalism. It is disorganized, chaotic, and overall a very low-class organization.

Credits do not transfer to anywhere but expensive, online schools like UOP and Kaplan. I was told that the program was "fully accredited" and that it even "articulated with the BSN program at UNF" by the director. This is the same director that showed up to the Fl Board of Nursing meeting at the Hyatt downtown, wearing flip-flops, jagged, dirty toe nails and answered her cell phone twice during the meeting.

The class I graduated with were some outstanding nurses, but not because of Concorde. The LPNs in the class helped teach what we needed, and we taught ourselves.

It certainly is not worth the money. Concorde is known as the "single-wide of Fl's educational community," and with good reason.

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If you go to the DOH.gov website, (the department of health website) you can do a search for nclex pass rates and some options will come up can check and put in your county, if you want to check rn or pn program and it will show you all the schools and their retention rates and if they are accredited or approved ect. Its very very helpful!!

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