Career Tips & Advice

Meet Veteran Graduate Randall Hines

Concorde Staff

Concorde Staff

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Updated November 11, 2016. The information contained in this blog is current and accurate as of this date.
polysomnographic technology veteran training

After eight years of kicking in doors for the Army as a Cavalry Scout and, as he put it, "learning in so many ways to not be a nice person," Randall Hines decided it was time to make a change in his life. He attended junior college after his honorable discharge in 2012 and attained an associate's degree in business administration, but that didn't feel right either.

He was home in Memphis, TN one-day Google-searching Radiologic Technology and found Concorde, which he previously had heard of through a couple friends who had gone through Concorde's Dental Hygiene program. Not only did he come across Concorde, but once he navigated around the site, he stumbled upon its Polysomnographic Technology program in Memphis, TN.

About Polysomnographic Technology

Concorde's Polysomnographic Technology program teaches and trains students to measure, study, diagnose and treat sleep disorders. It can greatly improve the quality of life for many in one's community... which in Hines' case, included U.S. veterans.

"I knew some guys in the military who had sleep trouble," said Hines, who served two tours of duty in Iraq and was deployed for six months in Afghanistan as a contractor. "From the first class, I knew I was in the right field. I sat down, instructors started talking about what we were going to do (in the program), and it all made sense to me."

"I was content and happy from then on."

A successful Polysomnographic Technology internship

Hines zipped through the eight-month program, graduating with his diploma last January. Before that, however, he had an internship to complete. He was assigned to intern at Wesley Neurology Sleep Center, a place that admits some of the most difficult cases in the area.

"The only place that sees harder patients is a hospital," he said. "I was told I was assigned there because they thought I was one of the few people who can handle it."

The internship proved to be the best thing that could've happened for Hines. With six weeks left in the 20-week internship, he received a full-time job offer from Wesley and works there today.

Fully prepped for board exams

Before starting his full-time job at Wesley, Hines first had to pass his licensure exam. He said the national pass rate for the Polysomnographic Technology board exam is 38-40 percent. He passed it with no problems on his first try.

"When I sat down for boards, I felt more than adequately prepared," he said.

Hines also said he's not finished with his education. This month, he started back to school to finish his business management degree, then intends to pursue his master's in Health Care Administration

He said he couldn't recommend Concorde enough.

"I think it's an amazing school," he said. "They don't hide anything. Everything's up front, and they offer what they say they will."

"I'd say that, if you put the work in, your success is almost guaranteed."

Take The Next Step Towards a Brighter Future

We have a Concorde representative ready to talk about what matters most to you. Get answers about start dates, curriculum, financial aid, scholarships and more!

  1. Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.

  2. Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.

  3. Financial aid is available to those who qualify but may not be available for all programs. Concorde does not guarantee financial aid or scholarship awards or amounts.

  4. Clinical hour requirements and delivery may vary by campus location and may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee clinical site assignments based upon student preference or geographic convenience; nor do clinical experiences guarantee graduation, post-clinical employment or salary outcomes.

  5. Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.

  6. Externships are a non-paid in-person learning experience, whose length and location may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.