Deaconess Questions

opalmRN · Jul 22, 2005

I am a paramedic looking to moving inside where it is climate controlled and generally dry. I'm looking into Deaconess because I'm very concerned w/ the $1500 CPNE exam that Excelsior requires. I've taken some of the Nursing Concept exams form Excelsior. Does anyone have any experience with transfering these to DCN. What are the Validation requirements? How many days does one have to spend in St. Louis each semester? If it's only a weekend here and there that is very different than a week at a time. How does their validations compare to Excelsior's CPNE?
Thank you in advance for what ever insight you may have!!

As for transfering from EC to DCN, you would have to speak with someone at DCN.

Validations are held at the end of each clinical semester in St. Louis. (I believe this would apply to semester 2-6). Validations are typically 3 or 4 days total depending on the course and part of the time is spent at the hospital and part is spent testing at school.

My experience with validations is this. It is not the same as the CPNE. You do not get a list of skills to demonstrate with a pass or fail at the end. You are assigned a patient or two and you provide their care according to their chart. The clinical advisor comes to visit you at some point. I don't know if this is how it has been for others but I have had very relaxed validations. The testing is also part of the validation. Again this is not a pass/fail but rather an indicator of how well you have learned the material. (The last semester students do have to pass an exit test and this is a pass/fail).

Validations at DCN are not at all like the CPNE at EC but you have to remember, EC has not been with you during your clinical time nor have they had any input in your clincal experience and they must be sure you can demonstrate the skills they will be awarding a degree for. At DCN the instructor you have in class is the person you will meet at validations and who will conduct your validation weekend. They HAVE been with you throughout the semester and they have had the opportunity (whether or not they use it) to contact your preceptor and ask how your clinical is going throughout the semester.

Both schools provide good nursing education. They are very different in format and each is suited to different types of students. If you are looking for a program where you will follow semester based courses, DCN may be for you. If you prefer to study and pace yourself on your time frame, EC may be better suited. To be honest to both schools, EC is far less expensive even if one would have to sit for the CPNE more than once. And yes I know this for a fact as I am currently enrolled in both schools.

Good luck in your persuit,

Opal