Butterfly29

I am currently in the ADN-RN program at Concorde KC, getting ready to graduate in Feb. 2010. We are the third class to go thru the RN program. There have been lot of changes over the 14 months I have been there. It has been very frustrating having the rules changed time after time in the middle of a term, but I think they are starting to get their act together. They are insanely bad with communication - you absolutely have to fight for the information you need and they are infamous for giving 5 people completely different answers to the same question. That being said, the nursing instructors are very good, clinical sites have been good (with an exception or 2) and it really does take 14 months (16 including breaks) to get thru the program and be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. Honestly, a few months ago I would never have recommended it, not because it is unbelievably intense and HARD (it really is) - but because they really need to get their act together. Everything is done at the last minute, nothing is consistent, it is impossible to get answers from anyone (besides teachers) and they are ridiculously cheap. BUT ... I see them making changes all of the time that will eventually make this a much better program. (It's just hard to imagine when you are in the middle of it.) To answer your other questions ... the NET test was not hard. You can use a calculator for the math. I bought a review book and really, really didn't need it. The math problems I had went as far as pretty basic algebra, a few fractions/percentages and lots of basic calculations (+/-*). As for the folks concerned about bridging from RN-BSN, no, KU and MU won't take the credits. But... UMKC will, University of Phoenix will and lots of online programs will. A couple require extra prereqs because it is an ADN and not an ASN. Bottom line - lots of people in the class that just graduated (Sept) have passed the NCLEX and are working in hospitals all over town. If you have any specific questions, I'd be happy to answer. Hope any of this helps!

Thanks for breaking it down - it makes sense to think about it as "assessment=negative and evaluation=positive". On some of these care plans the evaluation seems hard to come by - I'll start by going back to the initial assessment from now on!

I am starting the ADN-RN program at Concorde KC next week. I searched long and hard for any info and finally found a student (her brother-in-law works with my husband) to talk to about the program. She said it is really intense, but if you go into it committed to doing the work - and a lot of it! - it's a good school. She said she could tell the people who wouldn't make it after the first week because they weren't there for the right reasons and complained every time they had homework, which is pretty much every day! She also said she had great teachers. I have read on other posts that they don't take transfer credits and their credits don't transfer. I have not found that to be true. They transferred 3 of my KU classes, and they were all more then 10 years old. It is pretty $$$, but in about 16 months I will be earning the money to pay back my loans and gaining experience, instead of sitting on a waiting list. It's such a personal thing, though - it's not fun to put yourself in debt! Let me know if any of this has been helpful, and I will keep you updated on how things go! Kelly (momandmore)

2sweet4u - Best of luck to you! Be sure to post your experiences - this website has been a huge resource for me! Thanks for your reply!

Wildchipmunk - Thank you so much for those links! I was pretty much set to start Concorde in the fall, but I have changed plans a little. A nurse friend of mine says that Penn Valley is one of the best schools in the area, so I am going to get the prereqs done and plant myself (hopefully!) on their waiting list! I was a little unsettled about the methods and motivations of the "for-profit" nursing schools (NAU, Concorde). Fortunately, I am currently at home with my kids, so I have the option of waiting it out. Thanks again!

I am currently looking at several nursing schools in the Kansas city area. I have already looked at National American, Concorde and Colorado Technical. Anyone have reviews/input on these schools? Thanks!