Concorde Career College

[registeredusername]

I applied to Concorde C.C. at San Bernardino campus thinking I might get my LVN faster there than the program at the local adult school. In my visit, I was greeted by polite drive kind of people. The too friendly environment kind of tick me off, I can't handle the overwhelming nice treatment. It's not what i've been growing up with when I was at the community college for two years. The real reason why Concorde was the best choice for me was because I can do a program for 12 months, while the local adult school offer 17 months program. I thought the finance was going to be around in the mid 15 to 17 at the most. Well it turned out that I was wrong and could have benefit better if i stay at the adult school.

Concorde: $25,500 broken down from 1 year and 2 year timeline. One and two year timeline means you are doing the whole program in 12 months or 51 weeks.

Local adult school: $1000-$3000 anywhere in california. The waitlist is horrible if you're not at the year they're accepting students, then you might need to try another year. If you do get in, the tuition is less than 1% you might pay at any career college, one such as Concorde.

I know some people have different way to bridge their step to success but I wouldn't suggest spending too much money for the same path we're all pursuing for cheaper. It will be a waste of money along the way you could have just work as a CNA while you are pursuing your LVN at the local community college or adult school. You could work as a CNA for 17 months and that would give you investment around $18K - $24K from one shift. ( Salary.com -- Los Angeles, California$23,653$26,834-$30K)

So, I don't know how much you have to spend per month but my expense every month is around $350(rent) plus ($100 food)+(40Gas)+(30misc) = 690 well make it $700. So 700x12 (12 months in a year) = $8400 minus how much I make. let's make $20,000-8400= 11,600. Let's just say that I have $10,000 in my pocket. If I could have this much extra, that's enough to pay me a year at the community college or a year at the university (which I know I can get my acceptance for doing undergrad studies because I earned a good GPA)

What's the point? LVN certification is the same anywhere because it is not a degree. No matter where you get it, you will have to take NCLEX-PN just like every other participants.

I wouldn't recommend to go and spend more than $17K if you're planning to go to a school to pursue your LVN certification.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I wouldn't recommend to go and spend more than $17K if you're planning to go to a school to pursue your LVN certification.

While private LVN programs in Southern California tend to be very expensive, they have been worth it to some of us who wish to avoid the ridiculously long waiting lists, fluffed prerequisite classes, and the red tape that are often found at adult schools and local community colleges.

I attended Casa Loma College's LVN program in Van Nuys, California and completed it in October 2005. Their program was expensive ($19,995), but it was worth it to me. 2006 was my first year as a working LVN and I earned $47,000. Therefore, the high-priced education has paid for itself.

[nurseybertie]

It makes you wonder why with a nursing shortage you can't get into an affordable school without a two year wait list. I lucked out here in Florida and was accepted within 3 months as I asked to be let into the program (even at the last minute) if anyone dropped out and there were 6 drops

after the first week. I paid 1500.00 for the program and had used books/ uniforms from a friend that just finished the program, that was in 1995.

Also in Florida the give graduating seniors an open door into the program no wait.

[fishchick72]

You are in San Bernadino? Any chance you would be willing to drive to Glendora to Citrus community college. They do not do a waiting list. They have a class called introductions to health occupations. You take this class & out of like 120 students taking the class they allow the top 45 students to enter the LVN program. I did it my first try & went straight in. It's a tough school, you will get a great education. I recommend it highly.

[registeredusername]

You are in San Bernadino? Any chance you would be willing to drive to Glendora to Citrus community college. They do not do a waiting list. They have a class called introductions to health occupations. You take this class & out of like 120 students taking the class they allow the top 45 students to enter the LVN program. I did it my first try & went straight in. It's a tough school, you will get a great education. I recommend it highly.

I went to Citrus College, about 38mi from San Bernardino to check out how their program was. Perhaps if they can let me in, I'd love to take classes there. I'd give them a try but that's going to be a very far drive everyday. I might not do this because of the distance. Do you have any opinions for Riverside Community College LVN program?

[fishchick72]

I don't know anything about the RCC program, but to my knowledge Citrus is the only school that doesn't have the waiting list. When I was there I happened to live about 10 minutes away, but a lot of my classmates were driving 50-80 miles one way just because of waiting lists everywhere else. Right now for my RN program I am driving 40 miles one way.

[registeredusername]

I don't know anything about the RCC program, but to my knowledge Citrus is the only school that doesn't have the waiting list. When I was there I happened to live about 10 minutes away, but a lot of my classmates were driving 50-80 miles one way just because of waiting lists everywhere else. Right now for my RN program I am driving 40 miles one way.

I do have a schedule conflict if I want to take the Occupational Health NRS100 class. I was wondering if you have any recommendation for Chaffey College? I don't know if they have a waiting list, but do you have any idea how their program is like? I did go to their website;

All the following requirements for LVN Program at Chaffey College are:

2.High school graduation, pass the GED test, or pass the High School Proficiency Examination

3.Evidence of satisfactory physical and emotional health as determined by health examination and proof of immunizations

4.Completion of NURACT 420 and 420L and NURACT 450 at Chaffey College

5.Completion of MATH 401 or equivalent with a minimum grade of C

6.Biology 424 (or Biology 20 and 22), completed prior to application to the VN program. Biology Course(s) may not be over 5 years old at the time of application to the VN Program

7.Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate (American Heart Association Healthcare Provider or American Red Cross Professional Rescuers), required each semester prior to entering any course with a clinical laboratory component

8.Current status as a California Certified Nursing Assistant, or completion of NURAST 400, 400L, 405 and 450 at Chaffey College.

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I have met those requirements. What do you think should I do other than apply to Chaffey College? Should I keep learning about 20 months at the adult school because I am already starting my LVN courses there (Jan 2007). or should I give Chaffey a try (if not too late to register)? Meanwhile, I kind of want to use my college credit i've done over the past, I mean call me pompous but I kind of felt outcast studying basic Math and English at the adult school. I'm used to a lifestyle such as studying like a real college student cramming for tomorrow's test. Also, I don't want to waste 20 months away easy. I just want to get things done in 12 months to get my ADN and RN license faster.

Ahh! I am anxiously overwhelmed! It would make my world easy if there's a bypass to all the waiting list for California nursing school. Thanks for all your help and advice that were so helpful to me.

[fishchick72]

l dont know much about chaffey LVN. I was recomending Citrus.not Chaffey for the LVN program.

[blueteam]

I went to Chaffey's nursing orientation Fall 07. They said, "No more waiting list, lottery." Of course they look at your GPA and they did notice residence is also their priority.

[jelorde37]

i went to concordes rival school, american career college. the tuition back in 2005 was 24,000. i graduated from ACC, passed the nclex and worked for 6 months full time. in that six months i made what i originally invested and my education at ACC gave me a title and a job that will let me survive comfortably. to me, my initial investment is worth it, but its up to you.

oh yeah, im trying to get into the rn program for this fall, pray for me everyone!!!

jon lvn

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

While I'm not one to normally dredge up an old topic but I do feel the need to point out that private versus public. Now while I could go to public school after a 1-3 year wait and pay only 10% of the private cost I am denying myself the lost income in that time period not taking into account that a long wait may break many peoples spirits. If I do the math and based on the fact that I will retire in 40 years and assuming a modest salary increase per year after graduating and assuming I stay a LVN and don't move up then I will gain over $1,000,000 in income over those years and thats being VERY conservative figure.

You have to invest in order to gain. You can't always rely on cheap education being there.