Has anyone gone to Concorde, DNI, Platt?

[pinksky]

I found some OLD threads on some of these, but would like to know if any of these are a good school? My long term goal is to become an RN (poss BSN). Right now I want to start out as an LVN. I don't have time for waiting lists or pre-reqs, I want to be working in a year, I'm a single mom.

I called all 3 schools Concorde, Dallas Nursing Institute (formerly ntpci) and Platt.

The tuitions vary from high 18k-21,6k.

My dilemma is that ALL of these schools have something I like, and they all say they are accredited, but I don't even know if that particular accrediation means anything. It's so confusing. I don't want to have problems doing a LVN to RN course after I graduate. I am thinking about doing a LVN to RN online once I'm an LVN.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

THANKS!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

All of the schools you have mentioned are state-approved and nationally accredited. However, none of them are regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges. Therefore, your credits will not ever transfer to a 'legitimate' college or university, such as the University of Texas or any local community college. Regional accreditation is what matters.

However, your LVN license will transfer when you're ready to do the LVN-to-RN route. Most community colleges and universities will issue you en bloc credit, or advanced placement into their LVN-to-RN programs, thereby enabling you to bypass the first year of the RN program. Many people have successfully bridged to RN after completing their LVN educations at private colleges that lack regional accreditation. I hope this clears things up.

Another note...your A&P education that you receive at the private schools will not transfer, so be ready to take some prerequisites at a local community college or university before applying to an LVN-to-RN bridge program. They will not accept the A&P, med math, and so on. I attended one of these private schools, and had to take prerequisites.

[pinksky]

Thanks Commuter, that was VERY helpful info, the kind I didn't know how to ask but wondered. Thanks Again!

All of the schools you have mentioned are state-approved and nationally accredited. However, none of them are regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges. Therefore, your credits will not ever transfer to a 'legitimate' college or university, such as the University of Texas or any local community college. Regional accreditation is what matters.

However, your LVN license will transfer when you're ready to do the LVN-to-RN route. Most community colleges and universities will issue you en bloc credit, or advanced placement into their LVN-to-RN programs, thereby enabling you to bypass the first year of the RN program. Many people have successfully bridged to RN after completing their LVN educations at private colleges that lack regional accreditation. I hope this clears things up.

Another note...your A&P education that you receive at the private schools will not transfer, so be ready to take some prerequisites at a local community college or university before applying to an LVN-to-RN bridge program. They will not accept the A&P, med math, and so on. I attended one of these private schools, and had to take prerequisites.

[1soon2brn, RN]

Have you decided on any of those schools? I'm also interested and dont wanna take the wrong leap with a $20k loan on my back.

[BrieRN07]

Have you decided on any of those schools? I'm also interested and dont wanna take the wrong leap with a $20k loan on my back.

If I'm correct, El Centro has a LVN program that is WAY cheaper than Concorde.

[GeauxNursing]

el Centro does have an LVN program, surely there is a long wait? I'm at DNI, no problems so far. we just happen to be the "guinea pig" class for nights/weekends, so the powers that be are figuring it out as they go along. yay for us. but really, it's not too bad. 16 month program. and as Commuter said, I WILL be taking A/P again when I go to bridge. oh, joy.

[1soon2brn, RN]

I'm glad to hear that its going good for you. I'm almost definite that i'll be there in march or sooner.