Which school is better in Dallas, Texas for LVN? Concorde,Platt, or Dallas Nursing In

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Hi Everyone! I need some advice. I am trying to start nursing school . I am in Dallas, Texas. I decided I would first get my LVN then go back and get my RN. Just because I think for me it will be better that way so I can make a decent living while getting my RN. Now I have looked into schools like El Centro, Brookhaven , NCTC. It takes forever to get into their LVN programs because apparently ALOT of people apply. So I started looking into the private schools like Concorde, Platt, and Dallas Nusring Institute( use to be called something else NTCPI or something). What I am needing to know , does anyone know of or graduated from any of these "private institutions"? They are very expensive so my biggest concern is that if I am going to pay between 18,000 and 24,000, I want to know I will definately be able to get a job and that I will be able to bridge into an RN program at a public school. If anyone has any information on these places please let me know. Also of the 3 which one is the best one to go to? I know none are that great , but which is better? Please let me know . Thank you all soo much!:bugeyes:

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.

These private schools are usually not accredited which means the courses you take won't transfer when you decide to go for your RN. You'll have to retake everything!

My advice....you should take your prereq science and general ed courses at the community college, which is an accredited school. Get a job as a PCT and go for your RN. IMO it's a waste of time to get your LVN then your RN. It makes schooling much longer in the long run. I don't think LVNs start off at much money either. I've also heard that a lot of hospitals aren't hiring LVNs. Some are even phasing out their LVNs. I don't know this as 100 % truth, but I've heard it a lot. You would probably only be able to get a job in a nursing home with an LVN degree, but I could be wrong. You're best bet is to do some research before you make your decision.

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Thank you , but how do I get a job as a PCT while I am in school? I researched LVN jobs on craigslist and I saw jobs paying 29/hr with agencies. I just want to hurry up and get started I am tired of waiting.

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

"the courses you take won't transfer when you decide to go for your RN. You'll have to retake everything!"

That's not actually true... You will have credit for your LVN license and be eligible for advanced placement, usually skipping the whole first year of an RN program. Yes you will have to take all the prerequisites required to be accepted to the program. I went to Concorde and was finished in less than one year. I had almost all the prereqs done for an RN program but no prerequisites are needed.

I think the OP is somewhat misinformed... LVNs can make a decent living, not as much as RNs but definitely more that a PCT/CNA. For example, I made $8.50 as a CNA and as a new grad LPN I made $18.25 a couple years ago. LVNs are the backbone in nursing homes and get paid the most there. But there are also jobs in hospitals, LTAC facilities, Dr's offices and clinics. Those might not be as abundant, but you will not be stuck in a nursing home if don't want to be.

My advice is look at your situation right now in life. If you don't have all the time to take prereqs at a traditional college and then wait to be accepted to a program, then go for the private school. You can then be making a good wage and gain experience as an LVN while going for your RN, but just keep in mind about having to pay back a big loan. If you can take your time a little bit more then go the ADN route. Good luck with your decision :wink2:

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Specializes in Mental Health.

How about TWU??? That has to be the best nursing school in TEXAS!

Texas Womens University

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Well see I would go to Concorde because it seems the most legit but gosh its so far over there. I live in lewisville concorde is in Arlington . So tyo get there by 8 am everyday I would have to leave at 6:45 and for a whole year. I don't know ! No I dont want to wait , I think its better to get my lvn first as well. At least I will be making decent money while doing all the waiting for rn. Did you do a bridge program to RN from concorde? Let me know!

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

I am still an LPN/LVN. I do have goals of becoming an RN some time soon, but right now it's on hold. I don't mind it that much at this point because I have a great job, other than the pay difference would be nice. In my unit at my hospital there is hardly a difference between LPN and RN. Sounds like Concorde is a nasty commute, however you won't be going to the school every day once you start clinicals which you could have at a Dallas area hospital a few days a week. They have a good reputation, but it's probably not very different from the other private LVN schools in the area. Do your research though...

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Kat,

Well yeah they do , I have heard nothing but good things about concorde. The other private nursing programs , I have heard not the greatest. I might just have to suffer and make the daily commute. I mean I guess we all have to make sacrifices for our career. I went to Platt today it wasnt good they were very unorganized, ghetto looking , nickle and dime you to death for this fee and that fee , and tuition is 24,500 . Heck no!!! I guess tomorrow I will go to Dallas Nursing Institute and then make my decision . This is all very confusing and stressful.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.

Kat,

Are you in Texas? I know people at several hospitals here in the DFW area that gave me this info on LVNs. I started to go for my LVN and was advised against it because of this reason. There is not a hospital here that will start an LVN at $18.25/hr. Maybe a nursing home, but not a hospital. The hospital where I work will not even hire LVNs. Neither will a couple of other hospitals where I did my clinicals.

K29,

Research must be done to see if your credits from Concord will transfer. Also where you will be able to work. Call around to places you'd like to work to see if they hire LVNs. You can call the TX BON and get some info there as well. A lot of my classmates worked as PCTs while they were in RN school. Another fact, an agency will not hire until you have one year experience. I know a coupleo of DONs from nursing homes and say agency nursing is either "feast or famine" meaning sometimes jobs are available for a month or so, then there very scarce for a while. It depends on your financial situation and if you want to work in a nursing home. LVNs are the backbone of LTCs. I will agree with Kat on that one.

Good luck. I hope you find the right path.

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

Are you in Texas? I know people at several hospitals here in the DFW area that gave me this info on LVNs. I started to go for my LVN and was advised against it because of this reason. There is not a hospital here that will start an LVN at $18.25/hr. Maybe a nursing home, but not a hospital. The hospital where I work will not even hire LVNs. Neither will a couple of other hospitals where I did my clinicals.

You are right, many large acute care hospitals no longer hire LVN/LPNs. However a few still do hire LVNs in limited numbers in the DFW area. Just browse the local hospital jobs listings you can see for yourself. I no longer live in Texas but I am still licensed there, and where I live now is similar to that situation. I happen to work for one of my area hospitals that does employ LPNs, while some hospitals around here do not hire LPNs at all. In DFW you can also look at places like Kindred and Healthsouth hospitals, they hire LVNs and actually start you off with a decent wage (from what I heard from classmates was about $17-19 hr plus shift diff). The pay is probably lousy for an LVN in a large acute hospital, maybe starting in the mid teens. I don't want to start an LVN - RN debate, I just wanted to give the poster a different perspective.

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

kw29student,

It doesn't matter where you went to school for you LVN if you want to bridge to RN. For example if you go to private school like Concorde you will not receive credit for the the non nursing courses you take there like A&P and nutrition. However once you graduate and get your license you can take the prerequisites at any college and then I apply to a RN bridge program. If you went to some school like El Centro and you took the prerequisites for the LVN program you will not need to take those courses over, but it will take longer to complete the entire LVN schooling going that route. With either way you still have to take the prerequisites for an RN program to get accepted and if you already have your LVN license you can usually begin in the second year of the RN program. I just wanted to clarify this because I HAVE done the research.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I don't think LVNs start off at much money either.
2006 was my first full year as an LVN. I earned $46,000 that year, which is definitely nothing to sneeze at. Many people with BA degrees in 'fluffy' liberal arts subjects don't even earn as much as many LVNs in the workforce.

I presently work 3 different jobs (by choice, of course). All 3 places of employment are paying me in excess of $20 hourly, and one of my jobs is paying $25 per hour.

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