RN who graduated from Concorde Career College

NicoleSN · Jul 18, 2012

I went to concorde in Kansas City. It is an extremely aggressive program. There are few open spots and hundreds of applicants. Getting in is hard but staying in is much, much harder. The trick is that you can't retake a class. You have to pass each class with an 80% and if you don't you get kicked out of the program. Expect to go to class from 8 in the morning to 5 at night. Each class will be about three hours and every week you will have a test in every class. It is a brutal program. But I passed my boards and found a job just fine.

One1, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2012

Also, Concorde is not accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Here is a link of accredited schools:

The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association

Accreditation by the HLC is an academic accreditation and is not nursing-specific. While this may not impact your employment chances it can impact your choices of schools that will accept your degree if you ever decide to move from AAS to BSN. Many schools will only accept a previous degree if it was received from a HLC accredited institution. The ones who don't care are also usually the ones that will cost a lot of money.. By the way, I am not sure why you are being accredited an AAS (Associate's of Applied Science) versus an ASN degree (Associate's in Science of Nursing). ASNs are much more specific to nursing and allow you easier transition to BSN (Bachelor in Science of Nursing) down the road. Comparing costs of tuition I can tell you that Concorde's tuition cost more than my fully accredited accelerated BSN program!! Have you talked to a recruiter at Concorde already?

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 18, 2012

One1 said:
By the way, I am not sure why you are being accredited an AAS (Associate's of Applied Science) versus an ASN degree (Associate's in Science of Nursing). ASNs are much more specific to nursing and allow you easier transition to BSN (Bachelor in Science of Nursing) down the road. Comparing costs of tuition I can tell you that Concorde's tuition cost more than my fully accredited accelerated BSN program!! Have you talked to a recruiter at Concorde already?

My community college's degree was an AAS, rather than an ASN, as was my husband's (different community college, different state). I had no problems transitioning to a BSN program, neither did he.

SC_RNDude · Jul 19, 2012

I worked with someone who went to Concorde while working as a CNA on a tough floor in a hospital. She was very good, but they wouldn't hire her as a RN because of the school she graduated from.

I don't know this for fact, but it is my guess that you would not be able to do a RN to BSN program anywhere because of the school's accreditation status. Hospitals want BSN's these days, and know that you would never be able to progress to that.

lisacsu84 · Jul 23, 2012

I graduated from concorde in 2007 with an associate degree in nursing, sat for the NClex and passed. worked as a nurse at Lutheran medical center and now work as an OR nurse at Swedish. I am not a huge fan of the program but you do get a degree and can work. It is incredibly challenging and almost impossible to work while you are in it. although i went there and am doing fine as a nurse I would not recommend it. I am also one class away from getting my bachelors at University of phoenix

dannni · Aug 16, 2012

jillyg12 said:
i was hoping someone could shed some light on concorde career college. i really want to go to nursing school at the local community college but i'm a little frustrated with all the pre reqs and the waiting list. if i go the community college way, i'm looking at 1.5-2 years of pre reqs, since i will be working full time, and then i have the two year nursing program. if i go to school at concorde, all i have to do is complete the 15 month program and then i'm a nurse ? i just have some concerns with the education that is provided and if hospitals hire graduates from concorde. i appreciate everyone's time and response.
thanks !!!

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[td]the lvn program at concorde career college provided me the solid educational background and preparation to be successful. the instructors are great and have been instrumental in my success. you'll be challenged... the program is fast paced and not for those that don't want to learn. i recommend this program to anyone who is interested in beginning a career as a lvn.

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cocoduv86 · Apr 29, 2013

So I am just giving an update because it has been almost a year since someone has responded....Anyways this school is going to be NLNAC accredited as of Aug. 2013. Some may not understand that every school has to go through this process and so you can't count out a school just because its going through candidacy. Its an accelerated program and for anyone who has researched other schools and not just the schools in their area(I have because I want to move and I'm looking at different states), you would know that there are community colleges that offer theses types of programs(Northern VA Community College) which cuts down your program time from 24 months to 18 because you go to school all year instead of spring/fall. So an 18 month program (or less if you will be transferring in credits) at concorde is just as good. If anyone is looking for info on this school (which happens to be the best non-traditional school I have looked at so far), please go to their website and actually read the catalog or call a rep. It does cost way more but I believe it saves you so much time. Nothing wrong with traditional but there is nothing wrong with non-traditional either, if it was the graduates wouldn't get jobs and the schools would close due to lack of results and eventually funding.

SummitRN, BSN, RN · May 2, 2013

Wow... way too much money for an AAS degree... and from a school where it will be hard to go on to your BSN because of no HLC accreditation or NLN. Anyone can apply for NLNAC and say they are a candidate... it can take forever to actually achieve. I think it took DSN something like 7+ years of reapplying to become accredited? ASN nurses have a hard enough time getting a job without those other handicaps.

KristiPetit · May 1, 2014

For anyone who reads this thread. Concorde is accredited now. http://www.bon.texas.gov/pdfs/education_pdfs/education_programs/Approved%20VN%20Nursing%20Education%20Programs%202014-March24_April7.pdf

SummitRN, BSN, RN · May 4, 2014

KristiPetit said:
For anyone who reads this thread. Concorde is accredited now. http://www.bon.texas.gov/pdfs/education_pdfs/education_programs/Approved%20VN%20Nursing%20Education%20Programs%202014-March24_April7.pdf

NO! IT IS NOT ACCREDITED!

That website says that ONE campus in TEXAS has TEXAS BON approval for their LVN program.

The Colorado program has CO BON approval for their AAS program (otherwise it wouldn't exist at all), but NO national nursing accreditation and NO regional academic accreditation. They say so on their website: "Concorde Career College Nursing program is not accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)" just a candidate, which merely means they filled out the application paperwork. They have been a "candidate" for years if that tells you anything. You can see on the ACEN website that they are NOT accredited.

Strelok · May 6, 2014

dannni said:
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[TD]the lvn program at concorde career college provided me the solid educational background and preparation to be successful. the instructors are great and have been instrumental in my success. you'll be challenged... the program is fast paced and not for those that don't want to learn. i recommend this program to anyone who is interested in beginning a career as a lvn.[/TD]
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^ This was obviously written by a Concorde employee (it's their one and only post). It's yet another red flag and reason to forget about this school. I feel sorry for people duped into going to school like this. They're milked dry financially (or drowned in debt), and their so-called degrees lack academic credibility.

Traceycakes · Jun 7, 2014

I'm so surprised at how upset people are about a program they obviously know nothing about.

While changing careers, I chose Concorde Career College for my nursing degree. I already earned a business degree from a reputable four year college, so I was skeptical about the program because it seemed too good to be true.

I did my research and compared it to other schools and based on my age, life situation and wait list of the local nursing programs, I chose the RN program at CONCORDE.

It was a GREAT decision. Accelerated is an understatement when referring to the program. 15 months includes prerequisite, core classes, and clinicals. ... And it was intense, but worth every intense class, test, etc.

The school is ACCREDITED .... my license (in multiple States) is every bit as valid as any other nurse. I work at a Trauma One /Magnet Hospital in a leadership role. I am currently in A BSN program and had NO difficulty getting into a program, neither did my classmates. In fact, one of my classmates is now completing a NP program.

No, I don't work for them. ... But I recommend CONCORDE rn constantly.

It is not suggested to work during the program, and the cost is more expensive than community colleges. ... But the amount of time saved from taking prerequisites, and waiting on a wait list for years (in some occasions)..... you could've already been Licensed and made the financial difference and MUCH more as an employed RN.

Open your eyes people. There's many ways to skin a cat. Do your own research. And watch out for some people who have such strong opinions about something they know NOTHING about. . They can surely steer you down the wrong path.

I understand this post is very old, but I couldn't ignore and share my great experience for the other people that are still searching online for guidance to make a decision one day.

Good luck to any/all future nurses out there. Everyone's path is not the same. Do your research. Follow your goals. Don't let the short sided opinions of most people around you keep you from your goal.