LVN/LPN schools in Dallas area

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Hello to all you current and future lvns. I would like some of your advice about lvn shools in the DFW area. I would like to continue to become a RN but am worried about not getting accepted. Starting to think the LVN to RN bridge might be a better route (because I'm starting to drown in debt and need an income). I've researched El Centro in Dallas, Navarro College and Concorde Career Institute. Are these schools respectable? Are there any other schools in the area that I have not looked at? thanks for your help:)

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You may want to check out Grayson County College in Denison. The LVN classes are actually held at the Van Alystne campus (about 10 miles north of Mckinny) - a bit of a drive for you, but a great program. You dont need much to get into the program - A&P and high score on NET test.

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All the health programs at El Centro are outstanding. The instructors work you hard, but when you graduate folks in the community are sure you know your stuff. Many, many, many, many DFW nurses went to El Centro!

They also have a dedicated LVN/RN track. If I remember correctly, LVN's don't get lumped in with the other applicants for spots in the RN program because the LVN to RN is considered a "seperate program"

Call the Health Occupations office at EL Centro or got to http://www.dcccd.edu to get info.

I'm not to keen on Concorde-DFW for nursing. Did they used to Ultrasound Diagnostic school/ Sanford Brown or are they that 'new' school in town? Maybe one of there students will post and give you the real 411. I don't want to post bad info. :p

All the LVN schools in Dallas are great though.

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Does anyone know of any LPN schools in Maryland or DC metropolitan area?

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hey. I see you are in south dallas. Navarro college (both campuses) has a good program and the drive wouldn't be that bad. I would like to say that I am a concorde (arlington tx) graduate, and had nothing but a great experience there. as with any school, some policies make wanna say WTF!! but if you learn the system, then you will have a wonderful time. that said,, the program is bloody expensive, and keeps going up, but then they have classes starting all the time so your wait time is drastically shortened. Have you considered schools further down south of DFW (say Waco, alvarado etc) I bet you it would be easier to get into those schools than any in dfw....Good luck and get ready for a busy year.....

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Hello....Try (NTPCI) North Texas Professional Career Institute in Dallas on Maple Ave........Hopefully this helps........

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I'm not to keen on Concorde-DFW for nursing. Did they used to Ultrasound Diagnostic school/ Sanford Brown or are they that 'new' school in town? Maybe one of there students will post and give you the real 411. I don't want to post bad info. :p

I can relate with being fed up with hard to get into RN programs. I chose to go to Concorde for LVN for a couple reasons: It's the closest one to me, I had literally no wait to get into the program (they start classes every 3 months), you don't need prereq's, and you are done in 12 months. The only major drawback I can see about it is the price. So far it has been a good experience, I only have 3 months left! To anwser that post up there, they are not related to that school. It actually used to be call Extended Health Education (I went there 3 years ago for my CNA), started up by some local RN's about 15 years ago then it was bought out by Concorde a few years ago. Good luck in your decision,

PS there are rumors that they are in the process of starting a ADN program sometime soon as well

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Thank you all for your responses. They have been really helpful. I've been kind of frustrated with the ADN programs. And I am glad to see that on this board that I'm not the only one. So maybe I really am normal. LOL :chuckle

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For those of you who went to Concorde, did anyone get railroaded into signing a Sallie Mae loan? Was anyone given a choice of several loans? It seems like Concorde has been involved in unethical business practices. I am trying to find others who feels as if they have been "had" by Concorde. I atteneded in the 03-04 year, the instructors were rude and did not make my learning experience a positive one. I had such a horrible experience and an instructor even threatened to kick my a**, I called their headquarters, and not only was I treated poorly over the phone when I got back, the instructors were very harsh. I have since went to TCC and have had the best instructors! They are really great. If you don't mind the pre-requisites a community college is the best avenue. Concorde's credits do not transfer and the DON and administrators are unethical.

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.

I graduated Concorde Arlington in 2006 and I do have a Sallie Mae loan. I guess I am pretty ignorant when it comes to student loans and at the time I just remember signing papers not exactly totally understanding the whole financial aide process.

As for unprofessional instructors, I can't say that I remember having that same problem. On the other hand there were many unprofessional students who IMO got away with way too much that probably wouldn't have been tolerated at a community college. Many students had this attitude like I am paying so much for this school so I am entitled to behave a certain way and if I don't pass it is the school/instructors fault. There was plenty of BS involved but I think if one stays focused on the learning aspects it is a good school with many excellent teachers. I don't at all regret going there.

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I graduated Concorde Arlington in 2006 and I do have a Sallie Mae loan. I guess I am pretty ignorant when it comes to student loans and at the time I just remember signing papers not exactly totally understanding the whole financial aide process.

As for unprofessional instructors, I can't say that I remember having that same problem. On the other hand there were many unprofessional students who IMO got away with way too much that probably wouldn't have been tolerated at a community college. Many students had this attitude like I am paying so much for this school so I am entitled to behave a certain way and if I don't pass it is the school/instructors fault. There was plenty of BS involved but I think if one stays focused on the learning aspects it is a good school with many excellent teachers. I don't at all regret going there.

I think many of the instructors that was there when I went have been replaced. Yeah, there was a student that fell asleep when doing the geriatric clincials, there were groups of girls cheating on tests, one woman even had an instructors manual, and there was an instructor there that gave someone the answers to cheat on the mathmatical tests. It was a nightmare. I am currently looking for an attorney to handle the whole student loan scandal. I'm not sure if you are aware of recent events, but schools have been paid kickbacks for signing students to Sallie Mae.

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I currently attend Concorde Arlington, and I have a Sallie Mae loan, but I was offered choices. My FA counselor is very helpful and makes sure I understand everything I sign! As for the rest of the school, I have found that the front office focus is more on recruiting students than keeping them. They aren't the friendliest bunch sometimes! The education so far has been comparable with community college (I have most of my BSN prereqs through DCCCD) but the policies are outrageous! The treat you like a child, IMO. I do like that they have classes starting every 3 months with no wait, though.

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