Would you pay 22,500.00 for a Respiratory Therapy Program AAS and Advance Program 7,500.00

I'm having a hard time deciding wither to take out a loan for this amount it is the only school in my area that offer this program. I am ex-smoker and my two son was diagnose with seasonal asthma that why I so attached on become a Respiratory Therapist.

Are you a TN resident....because there are plenty of AAS degree programs in your area that would cost a LOT less than 22k....I think total cost for my program (in Jackson) is, maybe, 8,000 - and that includes books. Plus, I don't know if you need the "advance program" - because you are hireable, and able to work after your AAS degree...

B

Bryan in Jackson, Tennessee said: Are you a TN resident....because there are plenty of AAS degree programs in your area that would cost a LOT less than 22k....I think total cost for my program (in Jackson) is, maybe, 8,000 - and that includes books. Plus, I don't know if you need the "advance program" - because you are hireable, and able to work after your AAS degree...

B

Yes I am a resident of Tennessee but this is the only Respiratory Program in Memphis that would be convient for me far as distant and time beside Baptist and their price are about the same also Northwest Community College in Mississippi and they place Ms. resident first and it very a competive program. I don't know if you attend Jackson State they have the perfect program it about 1hour 15min from where I live and I can't drive that distant because I have the take and pick up kids from school. But I decided not to go because I don't think no program is worth that amount.

I actually am starting at Jackson State this Fall, but I only live like 5 min. from the campus.

Bryan in Jackson, Tennessee said: I actually am starting at Jackson State this Fall, but I only live like 5 min. from the campus.

Hi Brian I am in the same boat as you are concorde is very expensive 22,000.00 dollars and from what i was told Its hard to find a job and their passing rate is low, I live 1 hour and 30 min from jackson tn was it hard to get in there. Paula

Etta Green in Memphis, Tennessee said: I'm having a hard time deciding wither to take out a loan for this amount it is the only school in my area that offer this program. I am ex-smoker and my two son was diagnose with seasonal asthma that why I so attached on become a Respiratory Therapist.

Hi Etta this is Paula i feel your pain. I suppose to start their in Feb but i feel that they are too high, What decision did you make I need help or guidance

Hi Paula,

I decided not to go through the program because I could get a Master Degree for that amount of money or less. I enrolled in a nursing assistant program to see if I would like nursing, and will be finishing my prerequisite this January 08, and apply for the nursing program. I can get a Associate Degree in nursing and make more money than a Respiratory Therapist, my job are encourge it CNA's to attend a Nursing Program because they need them so badly.

Hi Paula,

I had to make a decision, on weather to attend or not and I chose not to. But don't let my decison affect your choice we have to do whatever is best for us. I don't like the idea of 30,000 in students loans, so it up to the individual if that truely what you want to do then do it, you have to do whatever best for you and what you have the heart to do.

Etta in Memphis, Tennessee said: Hi Paula,

I had to make a decision, on weather to attend or not and I chose not to. But don't let my decison affect your choice we have to do whatever is best for us. I don't like the idea of 30,000 in students loans, so it up to the individual if that truely what you want to do then do it, you have to do whatever best for you and what you have the heart to do.

Hi Etta I am already a CNA I have 15 Years experience in that field I am currently enrolled in southwest comm coll and still waiting to get into their nursing program for 2plus years getting burned out wanted to try another avenue but im like you cc is too high. Well thanks anyway Good luck.

I'm a registered therapist, and originally from the Memphis area. I would not spend a dime with any Concorde programs. They have a program in the St. Louis area, which goes by another name which is also very expensive, and their grads were pretty much blacklisted by the better St Louis Hospitals, at least as of last year. Why? Because they don't learn what they need to know to be able to work in the field, as the low pass rates to the boards prove.

Now I'm not sure what the Memphis market is on openings for respiratory therapists, but the need nationwide is astounding. My guess is that most openings go unadvertised simply because there isn't enough educated, credentialed, and licensed therapists to begin to fill them. Why pay for the ad if there is nobody to take interest in that ad? I have no problems finding work anywhere and guess what.. the pay is excellent. Some hospitals are even currently offering sign on bonuses at the $20K range for RRT's.

I see you have chosen to try nursing. Excellent. Any healthcare field is in high demand, but I must say.. I'm so glad that I'm NOT a nurse. I love what I do. Good luck to you.

Susan D. in West Warwick, Rhode Island said: I'm a registered therapist, and originally from the Memphis area. I would not spend a dime with any Concorde programs. They have a program in the St. Louis area, which goes by another name which is also very expensive, and their grads were pretty much blacklisted by the better St Louis Hospitals, at least as of last year. Why? Because they don't learn what they need to know to be able to work in the field, as the low pass rates to the boards prove.

Now I'm not sure what the Memphis market is on openings for respiratory therapists, but the need nationwide is astounding. My guess is that most openings go unadvertised simply because there isn't enough educated, credentialed, and licensed therapists to begin to fill them. Why pay for the ad if there is nobody to take interest in that ad? I have no problems finding work anywhere and guess what.. the pay is excellent. Some hospitals are even currently offering sign on bonuses at the $20K range for RRT's.

I see you have chosen to try nursing. Excellent. Any healthcare field is in high demand, but I must say.. I'm so glad that I'm NOT a nurse. I love what I do. Good luck to you.

Hi Suzan, I am curious to know, where did you get your training as a Respiratory Therapist and how many years have you been a Therapist? Also how to you like Rhode Island?

Paula in Memphis, Tennessee said: Hi Etta I am already a CNA I have 15 Years experience in that field I am currently enrolled in southwest comm coll and still waiting to get into their nursing program for 2plus years getting burned out wanted to try another avenue but im like you cc is too high. Well thanks anyway Good luck.

Hi Paula, I was curious about your decision as far as finding a program to attend? Did you get accepted into the Nursing Program at Southwest?

i apply for the respiratory theaphy program at concorde.I didn,t get in the program because of my test score was to points from the number needed to get in the class.from what i have been hearing about the school i don,t feel bad any more.

Bryan in Jackson, Tennessee said: I actually am starting at Jackson State this Fall, but I only live like 5 min. from the campus.

I am paying more! $30k For starting pay of $25hr around here. I think its worth it. I am older and I am going back to school :-) Never to late.

"I'm a registered therapist, and originally from the Memphis area. I would not spend a dime with any Concorde programs. They have a program in the St. Louis area, which goes by another name which is also very expensive, and their grads were pretty much blacklisted by the better St Louis Hospitals, at least as of last year. Why? Because they don't learn what they need to know to be able to work in the field, as the low pass rates to the boards prove.

Now I'm not sure what the Memphis market is on openings for respiratory therapists, but the need nationwide is astounding. My guess is that most openings go unadvertised simply because there isn't enough educated, credentialed, and licensed therapists to begin to fill them. Why pay for the ad if there is nobody to take interest in that ad? I have no problems finding work anywhere and guess what.. the pay is excellent. Some hospitals are even currently offering sign on bonuses at the $20K range for RRT's.

I see you have chosen to try nursing. Excellent. Any healthcare field is in high demand, but I must say.. I'm so glad that I'm NOT a nurse. I love what I do. Good luck to you."

In California thats not the case with Concorde. I speak from experience. My wife attended there and now I am. She has switched jobs twice and was hired on the spot (She is a LVN) with going to Concorde has got her the job every time! Just as Ford is for one parson and Chevy another. Concorde isn't for everyone ;-)

"i apply for the respiratory theaphy program at concorde.I didn,t get in the program because of my test score was to points from the number needed to get in the class.from what i have been hearing about the school i don,t feel bad any more."

The school is good. If they let anyone in, the employers wouldn't hire out of school as they do here. Understand? Did you fail the first test or second? First you needed 40 and I got 49. The second you neede 40 on both. I got 50 on one and 60 on the other. Those score would have got me in to the LVN or the RT program. I went with RT. I used the link here to study and passed. Hadn't been in school in over 20 years!
www.testprepreview.com/hobet_practice.htm

I am currenty a respiratory therapy student at Concorde. For some people 22,0000 dollars is a lot. OK for most people 22,0000 dollars is a lot of money! Its not costing me that much because of the grants that I am receiving that I do not have to pay back. There are tons of people in my classes that have job offers already and they are not even done with school!!! I have a couple of terms left so I too will be receiving those same offers. As far as the 7500 dollar advanced traing program, you can change the state board to take the class after 2 years of rt exp. and not have to pay 7500 dollars!

I am sorry i misspelled a word in that very last sentence. I meant to say that you can challenge the state board rt exam to become registered after 2 years of crt experience.

Carol Franklin in Memphis, Tennessee said: I am currenty a respiratory therapy student at Concorde. For some people 22,0000 dollars is a lot. OK for most people 22,0000 dollars is a lot of money! Its not costing me that much because of the grants that I am receiving that I do not have to pay back. There are tons of people in my classes that have job offers already and they are not even done with school!!! I have a couple of terms left so I too will be receiving those same offers. As far as the 7500 dollar advanced traing program, you can change the state board to take the class after 2 years of rt exp. and not have to pay 7500 dollars!

Carol,

Did you find a job before of after leaving Concorde? Do you feel you learn a lot while going through the program.

I am looking to attend the RT program at Concorde, what type of grants did you receive to not have to pay back all of the 22,000? I went to Concorde almost 6 years ago for Medical Office and that program was about 9,000 and I still had to pay back 5,000, which isn't much, just curious?? Also how much do RT's start out making, if you don't mind me asking. Thanks,Jennifer

Carol Franklin in Memphis, Tennessee said: I am currenty a respiratory therapy student at Concorde. For some people 22,0000 dollars is a lot. OK for most people 22,0000 dollars is a lot of money! Its not costing me that much because of the grants that I am receiving that I do not have to pay back. There are tons of people in my classes that have job offers already and they are not even done with school!!! I have a couple of terms left so I too will be receiving those same offers. As far as the 7500 dollar advanced traing program, you can change the state board to take the class after 2 years of rt exp. and not have to pay 7500 dollars!

Ron in Apple Valley, California said: "i apply for the respiratory theaphy program at concorde.I didn,t get in the program because of my test score was to points from the number needed to get in the class.from what i have been hearing about the school i don,t feel bad any more."

The school is good. If they let anyone in, the employers wouldn't hire out of school as they do here. Understand? Did you fail the first test or second? First you needed 40 and I got 49. The second you neede 40 on both. I got 50 on one and 60 on the other. Those score would have got me in to the LVN or the RT program. I went with RT. I used the link here to study and passed. Hadn't been in school in over 20 years!
www.testprepreview.com/hobet_practice.htm

Do you to taken a placement test to get in this course?

Concorde is a fast track program. Thats why it cost so much

i am about to move to memphis i just took my crt and plan to finish the rest of my testing by 7/18/2009. i am currently working licensed pending in chicago. . I know it takes 6 weeks to get licensed anyone know in tennesse where i could probaly find a osition license pending. i am unable to wait in chicago for my tn license because i am moving with children (understand). if anyone can help me please serious responses only please.

Oh my goodness, I am attennding concord here in memphis. After reading this comment I am questioning myself if this is the right path for me. I was excited until now, I am two different stores about rt, some good some bad, some say it worth it some say it's not. What really going on