The False Advertising of For-Profit Institutions

[PeepnBiscuitsRN]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but a For-Profit educational institution would be a those colleges that aren't a community/Tech college, and not a University/4-year college, right? They're the ones who run commercials like crazy during the day about how a degree in dry-cleaning technology is at the cutting edge of the industry, right?

I'm asking this- because I've seen some really peculiar commercials. I'm not one to jump on the "lets lynch CMA's" bandwagon, because I worked with some really great CMA's once upon a time. However, I have also worked with, or encountered these other institutions I'm seeing the commercials for, and how full of themselves they are, and generally how misleading they are about the degrees they pedal.

The trigger for this post: a young lady who starts by explaining how she loved to take care of her family when they were sick- the commercial cuts to her wearing surgical scrubs and a stethoscope, standing in what appears to be an ER. She goes on to talk about how it seems logical that the best step in her career would be to get her degree as a Certified Medical Assistant. She then explains how this occupation is at the forefront of the medical field, and how she gets to provide patient care, and education (at which point we see her pointing to a telemetry machine or bedside monitor and "explaining" something to the actor/patient). Now, maybe I'm tired and cranky and making a mountain out of a molehill, but that scene looked just like a dang ER, and if I didn't know better I'd say they were suggesting that CMA's work in the ER now. After the commercial, they show a woman at a desk with a headset at a computer, looking sharp and busy. She then states "after seeing that commercial, I'm sure you have questions about your future career as a medical assistant".

I almost wanted to call the number. Just to ask how much they know about scope of practice. Now, I should explain, one time I was pursuing a career as a CMA (it was CMA vs LPN, I chose LPN). I ended up dialoguing with a recruiter for this school, she was SO PUSHY I couldn't believe it. She was nearly scolding me for considering becoming an LPN because "LPN's are being phased out, and only being used in the nursing home," and if I wanted to work in a clinic then "medical assisting is the up and coming, cutting edge of health care occupations." She then ranted off all the "cool things" CMA's do, from nebs, to injections, and by the time she got to the part about assisting MD's with procedures, she was almost hysterical. I chose LPN, and I actually did all of those things and more...IN A CLINIC none the less!

Back to the commercials. There is one commercial where they show a waiting room and a CMA comes out with a chart and calls the patient by her first and last name, and *OH!* it turns out that the patient is an old friend of the CMA (and please, remember this is not an attack on CMA's it's on the institutions who pedal the degree) and she then engages her friend in a discussion about her condition, and opens the patient's chart. OOPSIES! The last part of the commercial involves the CMA telling her patient friend how cool her job is- and the best part? "I get to wear totally cute scrubs!"

WHOO! I know all the CMA's I worked with only went to school for the scrubs! And at the conclusion, we see our friend at her desk with her headset, just waiting for us to call...

I could go on, some of the commercials REALLY make it dramatic- they go black and white inde-film style, with muffled narration and really choppy cinematography. Ooooooooo- no messing around with cute scrubs there!

See now these places are pedaling the BSN, and MAN you should hear them toot their horn. Problem is, the last I heard, these places were not ACCREDITED! And the students were left to find their own clinical sites. All to the tune of a private, 4 year college!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

My feelings on for-profit education at vocational schools are mixed. While they do serve a purpose, a higher-quality end result can be obtained at a more reasonable price at most community colleges or state universities.

However, these types of schools are marketed to appeal to present-oriented, impulsive students who are into instant gratification: "I can't go to school for two, three, or four years." "The other schools require too much testing." "What are my options as I see them today?"

Since these for-profit schools are marketed toward impulsive people who might not research the contract that they are about to enter, the best way to reach these people is through vivid advertising. Exciting commercials can seal the deal and get potential students to take out tens of thousands of dollars in student loans for dubious 'careers.'

We will use a culinary arts degree as an example. While the local community college offers this degree at a very affordable cost, there are roadblocks that might prevent the underprepared student from getting to the end result in a reasonable amount of time. This student has failed the placement exam, so they must complete a handful of remedial (a.k.a. developmental) reading and math classes before they are even allowed to take English comp or college algebra. Remedial classes can add a year or more onto your studies, depending on how far behind your skills are. There might also be prerequisites that must be completed with a satisfactory grade such as food science, technical writing, or business applications. An unprepared student from a disadvantaged background might see these molehills as thunderous mountains and basically abandon the community college route.

However, the for-profit trade school is also offering a culinary arts degree without the red tape. For $10,000 more than it would cost at the local community college, this same underprepared student can start classes immediately with no remedial classes, prerequisites, entrance exams, and be able to finish in 12 months or less. What sounds more appealing to the person from the disadvantaged background? Years at a community college, or months at a trade school? "What are my options as I see them today?"

People wonder why anyone would choose this route, but all you need to do is walk one mile in the shoes of someone who views community colleges and universities as bureaucratic, foreign, and alien.

[mazy]

Well, those commercials also show people with RN degrees actually working in a real job, and we all know that's a total lie. It really ticks me off. They are taking advantage of the economic desperation of the times and I wish somehow they could be called to account for their corrupt behavior.

Especially considering what a huge amount of student loan money they rake in because of that, money that those students will never be able to pay off, and which is taking an enormous toll on this economy.

The sub-prime market took advantage of people's desire to live the "American dream" and buy a house, now these schools are taking advantage of that dream to get a good, stable, well-paying job. Which has become less of a dream and more of a delusion.

[merlee]

Although I believe that some of the for-profits turn out quality studuents, I would like to see their graduation rates. And they are very over-priced, relying on various government grants.

But if a person goes to one of these schools and takes an LPN or RN course, and passes their licensing exam, then they must be teaching the right stuff. Even if it is very expensive!!

[RNEducatorMSN]

My concern with the for profit schools is not necessarily the number of nurses and such that are out there, but how much they are charging those poor students for some that are on fixed incomes or don't even work. I have had many students that are pursing a second career and could not afford to pay such a large fee. Some of the tuition is more for an Associate Degree than the doctorate I am pursuing.

[myelin]

The problem with for-profit institutions is the fact that people who attend such institutions can take out government loans to pay for them. This results in the money lining the pockets of businessmen, investors, etc. while the student is on the line for paying it back to the American people. For this reason, tuition is typically absurdly high at these institutions, often in return for training that is mediocre or even subpar. These schools often have lower standards (low or no GPA requirement, no standardized test requirement, etc.) because their goal is to have as many students as possible, so they can make as much money as possible. They're also known as "degree mills". Students at professional or for-profit institutions make up only 10% of college students, but they carry 40% of student loan debt - that is crazy. They are also far more likely to default on their loans. Seriously, if you're considering a for-profit or professional institution, think about it carefully. Do not listen to what the school tells you about how easily you'll get a job, how easy it will be to pay back your loans - they are out for your money and to make a profit. Get in touch with alumni, people who work in the field, etc.

[leenak]

It seems the hoops you might have to jump through for community colleges occur because they want to make sure you can succeed in their programs before you are accepted. Since the tuition is so cheap, they don't have the luxury of accepting students who can't complete the entire program.

So students may go to for-profit schools in order to get in. Now whether they make it all the way is none of the schools concern. I've seen students state extremely high attrition rates and this seems especially true in for-profit schools. I've also seen students say that their schools are adding an nclex style exam as part of their graduation. So a student could spend $60k for 2 years at a for-profit school, pass all their classes but not graduate due to not passing the exam. The reason being is that in order for the school to continue offering nursing programs, it needs to have a decent nclex pass rate. If they don't think you can pass the nclex, despite passing all their classes, they can deny you graduation. That seems wrong. A school should strive to ensure that you will succeed in the program and work to ensure that all their students that pass their classes also have a decent chance of passing the nclex.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I like the sup-prime loan analogy.

The less reputable schools are jacking up the costs, handing out loans like candy and giving a lot of people a sub-prime education.

Buyer beware indeed.

[VICEDRN, BSN, RN]

Have you ever talked to a student of one of these programs? They are their own worst enemies. They won't hear a negative word about it and are getting exactly what they deserve for the "easy road out" mentality that they are emplying to justify it.

jsut sayin'

[Scarlette Wings]

lol. i so enjoyed your venting. i needed that today. i watch those commercials too and just wish people understood how far television advertising is from reality. i have also had the pleasure (??) of meeting some of those people who have the attitude of high-n-mighty better than you. sad thing is that people are people and those kind of folks are everywhere in every field, not just healthcare.

[lrobinson5]

One of my favorite commercials from one of those colleges is for a respiratory therapy problem. It has the soap opera camera quality and it shows a little hospital cribs and alarm starts beeping.

"...This morning, a BABY had trouble breathing."

Cue the actor in scrubs leisurely walking in to the room with this pink adorable sleeping baby. She picks up the little bag/mask and puts it in like a foot away from the baby's face and starts squeezing the bag.

I'm gonna try and find it so I can give a link, you can't find stuff this good anywhere other than daytime TV.

[tazmom]

I graduated from Kaplan Career Institute and Sanford Brown Institute. I have two different degrees one for Medical Assistant and the other for Anesthesia Technician. For Anesthesia Technician there are only a handful of schools that offered this degree. Yes there is downfalls to attended a private school but it's the same as attended a public school. I wouldn't trade my learning at these schools because I actually learn from great teachers that didn't have 100-200 students for each semester. It was a more hands on learning than book work.