deaconess....any students out there?

opalmRN · Oct 19, 2003

I am a second semester student in the Deaconess web based program.

pm me and we can chat.

C

mona b RN, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2003

Hi Magzoe,

I have just sent in my application to Deaconess. I hope they don't keep me waiting to long. Have you applied? It took me a long time to finally decide to go for it but now that the decision is made I feel much better. If you want to chat let me know. There are Deaconess students on this board, I'm sure they will be helpful. Feel free to pm.

mona

hallie · Oct 31, 2003

Originally posted by opalm
I am a second semester student in the Deaconess web based program.

pm me and we can chat.
C

Hi opalm!! I am hopefully being accepted to deaconess web based program starting jan o4 I am a LPN in illinois and have been hoping for such a program.. I would really like to hear what you think of this program.. please respond

I have never sent a thread so I hope this works!!!

opalmRN · Oct 31, 2003

So far the courses are great.

The instructors have been very helpful and as flexible as possible.

If there is one thing I would share with any new online student, don't get too discouraged the first month.

There is a lot of information to organize, each instructor has a different way of running her/his class and get a giant wall calendar to write on.

It can be very overwhelming even to someone like me who has taken many online classes before. If you run into any problems, don't panic. Chances are many a student before you has had the same issue and if you contact your instructor ASAP they will work with you.

For me this was the only choice but it has turned out to be a great program.

Get a 3 ring binder for each course you are taking. I printed everything I could once the classes began. You are not required to do this but I like to have everything about a course in a take along version in the event I get stuck in traffic or waiting for an appointment, etc. I use every minute of my spare time so that I don't have to work on my course work on the weekends. (That does happen once in a while though)

Good luck and let us know when you get your acceptance letter!

C

christineccr · Nov 1, 2003

Hi, I'm new to this site. I am interested in the Deaconess program also. Can anyone clarify for me questions? Do you have to have any nursing background? From what I understand you go to gettting the LPN to RN. Is this right. Do you have to compensate your preceptors? Any information is greatly appreciated.

opalmRN · Nov 2, 2003

Deaconess has several programs for various levels of nursing experience.

For those with no prior nursing education, they begin at the beginning and work four semesters to complete the PN portion. They can then go on for an additional three semesters to complete the RN, ADN portion.

For those who are already PN or LPN they have three semesters to complete for the RN portion.

There is also a RN to BSN program but I do not know all that is involved.

The premise is to build on what someone already has. If that is no prior education than obviously to get to the BSN portion would be the longest for that person.

Preceptors are not financially funded by the school If the hospital they work in provides compensation that is totally up to the hospital.

Hope this helps,

C

Nurse2bNicole, BSN, RN · Nov 6, 2003

how do the clinicals work in the deaconess program? I am interested in this program, but the only info I could find on clinicals was for students attending on-campus.

opalmRN · Nov 6, 2003

how do the clinicals work in the deaconess program?

Clinical rotations are done at each students geographical area.

C:)

christineccr · Nov 7, 2003

Do you they explain how to obtain the clinicals? Who are your clinical teachers? Does the hospital assign them? Sorry for all the questions, but I am interested in applying and would like more information. Thanks

opalmRN · Nov 7, 2003

Originally posted by christineccr
Do you they explain how to obtain the clinicals? Who are your clinical teachers? Does the hospital assign them? Sorry for all the questions, but I am interested in applying and would like more information. Thanks

The student contacts hospitals in their geographic area. Usually the Nurse Educator is the contact person who students talk to. Each facility is so different in it's organizational structure so it is hard to say specifically who you might need to contact. The best bet is to call and inquire if the facility has a nurse educator, director of nursing or perhaps the person in charge of staff education.

If you are seriously interested my suggestion would be to contact the school and ask to have a packet of information sent to you. After you have had a chance to look over the packet make a list of questions and give the school a call. The administration is always very helpful. The only caution I would give you is you may want to wait a few weeks to call back as the school is in the middle of spring advising and it is hard to get to talk to one of the advisors at this time. The office staff can answer many questions but the clinical question may need to be answered by an advisor, I can't say for sure.

One other thing, I do not know this for sure but I believe the school has a (minimum) age requirement for the online program. For some reason I thought I read somewhere students have to be at least 24 years but I searched through so many brochures before choosing DCN it could have been another school. Be sure to ask about that as I am not sure and I don't want to give you mis-information.

I hope this helps,

C