LPN Programs - Private or Community College?

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So I've been looking around at different LPN programs in my area, and unfortunately the community college route is a difficult route to get admitted into (Limited access and enrollment closed), so I was wondering what everyones thoughts were on the more accessible vocational schools like Concorde Career College and Carrington College(Used to be Apollo).

I'm currently living in Portland, Oregon, and the only two community college programs in the area are closed for admissions and won't open back up until next year, but the programs at Concorde and Carrington which I'm going to look at tomorrow I think have openings.

My question is, what are all of your thoughts on those particular schools for the LPN programs, and how does the education stack up, and how can one transition into an RN program from those schools? BTW, I've been reading that in Oregon your only option for LPN-RN bridge programs are non-existent and that if you want to do it you have to go across the boarder to Washington and try to get into a program, or participate in Excelsiors Online LPN-RN bridge program which I don't have a problem with.

I've come to the conclusion that although the CMA programs are very appealing and would get my foot in the doors quicker, I'm tired of dead end and terminal jobs where I do not have the possibility of advancing. I want a career that has almost endless possibilities (wish full thinking, but hey, I can only hope. Right?)

My final question is geared to job listings. I've seen quite a few job listings where it says "CMA or LPN" and some that are separate. As an LPN are you able to hold or be hired for a Medical Assistant position if LPN positions aren't available after graduation? My question really is about gaining experience when you can't find work. You have to do something to live so I was wondering if you were able to hold those positions.

Thank you all for responding. I'm heading to the schools tomorrow to get some dates, so any information over the next day or so would be wonderful.

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I am enrolled in the LPN program at Carrington for their July 2nd start date. In Portland, OR :) I chose that route because I had the same issue with the community colleges. Yeah, there's plenty of them, but the process to get in and the wait list once you DO get your pre reqs done is ridiculous! I want to be a nurse in ONE year, not in EIGHT! And that's if you're even accepted. Carrington is easy to get into, it's a first come first served thing. I was their 5th person signed up for the July start date.

Yes, Carrington is expensive, but time is money, IMO. I'd rather pay a little more and get right in than pay less and wait for years, hoping to get in. Besides, I have heard lots of complaints that the community colleges throw in lots of unexpected costs they don't tell you about.

My CNA instructor went to Carrington and so did several people she knows and they all very highly recommend it. She is enrolled in the LPN to RN bridge at Longview Community College in WA. They have an online option so you only have to drive up there maybe once or twice a month for exams. She lives in Hillsboro, OR.

Plus, the RUMOR is that Carrington is putting in an RN program in Portland. When I was there enrolling, they had a whole new wing that they said was for nursing. I said "So you are putting in an RN program". He just smiled and said we aren't allowed to discuss that, but it WOULD be nice wouldn't it? So, I bet they'll have their own RN bridge program in place soon anyway.

And I have had MANY people tell me NEVER do Medical Assisting. The job market is very slim and many of those students have had to go back and do an LPN route instead because they couldn't get work as an MA. And Carrington's MA program is supposedly not very good. I've heard that the only thing they do well is the Nursing Programs.

Let me know if you get in! I'd love to get to know some fellow classmates. :)

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I was accepted into both concorde and carrington for their LPN program. Recently I heard that Sumner college in Portland will start offering a 2 year ADN RN program starting in June. I am now completely focused on getting into that program. no pre-reqs are needed, just need to take the TEAS exam and score in a certain area. If youre ultimate goal is to become an RN then I would look into Sumner :)

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My CNA instructor went to Carrington and so did several people she knows and they all very highly recommend it. She is enrolled in the LPN to RN bridge at Longview Community College in WA. They have an online option so you only have to drive up there maybe once or twice a month for exams. She lives in Hillsboro, OR.

Ummm...I meant Lower Columbia College. LOL! Too many names to keep track of. ;)

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What can I review to get ready for the teas test? Thanks

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Hi,

I am not sure if you’re still thinking about going to a community college vs trade school, but I thought I would offer a different mindset. I graduated from MHCC LPN program in 2011. Most of the LPN to RN programs (Lower Columbia, Walla Walla University, Chemeketa, maybe MHCC in 2013) has varied pre reqs to get in. For instance LLC wants Stats 243 and 244, whereas WWU only wants Stats 243. The credits you receive from Concorde or Carrington do not transfer to community colleges or universities (but does transfer to Excelsior). So you would need to take a bunch of pre reqs to get into the bridge programs. The entire year after graduation I have been working on miscellaneous pre reqs for different bridge/traditional programs.

Do you have a lot of your pre reqs completed? I know a year sounds like a long time to get into a community college PN program, but if you need pre reqs you could work on them during that year, and apply to MHCC or somewhere else and likely get in; just a thought... and I totally get not being able to wait.

I have a friend who went to Apollo (now Carrington) he received his LPN--> went to Excelsior for RN--> Walla Walla university for BSN. So the Concorde/Sumner/Carrington route is totally doable just superspendy. I spent about 5,000 for my LPN, and I will be starting an RN program this year.

Anyways just a different perspective. Good luck!

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I have a friend who went to Apollo (now Carrington) he received his LPN--> went to Excelsior for RN--> Walla Walla university for BSN. So the Concorde/Sumner/Carrington route is totally doable just superspendy. I spent about 5,000 for my LPN, and I will be starting an RN program this year.

Anyways just a different perspective. Good luck!

What bridge program did you get into? :-)

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I'm in CA, where there are many, many routes to a nursing license or degree. I chose the vocational route, via an adult school (with a very high NCLEX pass rate). My tuition is 1/3 less than a community college in the area, and probably at least half as much as a private school. I am planning to bridge to RN later.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

wahinemakai what adult school program did you go to?

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Specializes in LPN.

Rochester General hospital lpn program ( private ).

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I haven't started yet but will be attending Ukiah Adult School.

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Hi Glenna,

Actually I didn't get into a bridge program. I applied for RN schools in the area and was accepted into MHCC RN program. Most of the bridge programs I talked to weren't a sure thing. I would have had to wait and see if a spot opened up (Walla Walla University and Chemeketa) after I had passed placement tests and paid fees. I didn't want to chance not getting into something this year. Plus this route I am admitted to OHSU for the BSN. Granted this wasn't how I envisioned the process for me to acquire an RN degree.....my goal when I was in LPN school was to bridge, but it just wasn't as easy as I thought it was going to be(or led to believe) due to all the OCNE schools getting rid of bridge programs. I think MHCC might have a bridge program someday... not sure. I just don't want to wait anymore...I want school to be done with some day!

I have talked to many LPN to RN's in the community who have really enjoyed Lower Columbia community college. They do have an actual bridge program. Good luck in whatever you pursue!

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