Deaconess

mona b RN, BSN, RN · Nov 6, 2004

Well, not exactly. You will still have to pay back those loans.

The loans are getting the job done, right? I mean that's the point isn't it.

fry.girl · Nov 6, 2004

Well, not exactly. You will still have to pay back those loans.

Loan=borrowed money

Grant=gift

I think we all have this concept down right? Thought so...

opalmRN · Nov 6, 2004

Loan=borrowed money
Grant=gift
I think we all have this concept down right? Thought so...

DITTO! :)

NICURNtobe · Nov 6, 2004

Well, not exactly. You will still have to pay back those loans.

DUH!

Jo Dirt · Nov 6, 2004

Loan=borrowed money
Grant=gift
I think we all have this concept down right? Thought so...

The way some people talk you'd think are getting some kind of free gift or something.

"I'm getting *help* to pay for this outrageously expensive program..."

Like that somehow makes it a good deal.

I'm sorry but I think Deaconess is running a racket with those prices.

Kind of like those debt consolidation places or payday check advance places that charge you about 800% interest.

Gerilynn · Nov 7, 2004

I understand that I will infact have to pay back the loans. That is not an issue at all. My husband went to Boise State University has a degree in micobiology, and works as a microbiologist. His 4 years of school totaled around 30k in student loans. I think that i can handle the 20 something for an RN degree.

Pretty sad that he has 4 years of schooling, employed as a microbiologist for 6 years, and I am eligible for a pell grant.

I would make more starting out as an RN then he makes now.

heatherbless · Nov 7, 2004

Well, not exactly. You will still have to pay back those loans.

Sarcasm is not needed when the OP was asking for advice--I think most of us in school know that we have to pay our loans back--but thank you for taking the time to point that out. Geesh!

mona b RN, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2004

The way some people talk you'd think are getting some kind of free gift or something.
"I'm getting *help* to pay for this outrageously expensive program..."
Like that somehow makes it a good deal.
I'm sorry but I think Deaconess is running a racket with those prices.
Kind of like those debt consolidation places or payday check advance places that charge you about 800% interest.

So now you have a problem with school loans? Got news for you honey, it's all relative and what holds little value for you may hold great value to others. :idea:

carly0313 · Jan 30, 2005

GeriL
I had to knock on a few doors before finding the right hospital for me, so there is a bit of work involved in finding a facility. It can be done though, and there are plenty of Deaconess students to prove it. Some find their place easier than others, but just be informed and persistent and you will find one too. Depending on where you live, it could be helpful to contact a Tenet Hospital (if there is one near you), as Deaconess College is owned by Tenet, it could help you get a foot in the door.
As far as finanical aid, Deaconess students are eligible for Federal Student Loans and Grants (Stafford, Pell, etc.).
The current cost of Tuition at Deaconess is $435 per credit hour.
Cheri

Would like to know if anyone is from Washington State and doing this school, and if so do they have any suggestion to where you could go to do your clinical hours?

nadja9 · Feb 1, 2005

I have a couple questions for you guys. I have went through most of the threads and have a few concerns.
Did anyone ever have trouble with local hospitals allowing clinicals?
Does this college qualify you for Student Loans/Grants?
What is the typical cost?
Thanks!

GeriL,

Be VERY CAREFUL with Deaconess' online program. Getting a clinical was impossible this past summer. I can tell you horror stories, and so can other former students. You had better find out where you can do your clinicals BEFORE you pay all that money. In St. Louis, the only hospital that would let us in was Forest Park, and that pretty much came by force. The pediatric clinical? They wanted to put us with a school nurse - in the middle of summer - (pediatric contact?) for one week - 40 hours. The nurses I work with just about busted a gut. They were all like, "that is NOT a clinical". My whole background is healthcare related, so I knew this. The problem is, it poses a liability risk for the nurses who act as preceptors, and that is why the hospitals won't let the online students in. No onsite instructor is provided. So the staff nurse is responsible for you plus her patients. She doesn't get to just take a break from her job to teach you and supervise you. IT'S A HUGE ISSUE.

Also, get on the Missouri Department of Professional Regulation website. You will find that the online program has received only initial approval for accreditation. Look at the board pass rates. Only 3 students from that program could sit for boards, and the pass rate is like 60%.

I could go on for HOURS about the failures of this program. And I am not knew to college. I already have a BS degree in another field. And doing what I do for a living, I hear stuff from other students all the time......be careful.

fry.girl · Feb 1, 2005

GeriL,
Be VERY CAREFUL with Deaconess' online program. Getting a clinical was impossible this past summer. I can tell you horror stories, and so can other former students. You had better find out where you can do your clinicals BEFORE you pay all that money. In St. Louis, the only hospital that would let us in was Forest Park, and that pretty much came by force. The pediatric clinical? They wanted to put us with a school nurse - in the middle of summer - (pediatric contact?) for one week - 40 hours. The nurses I work with just about busted a gut. They were all like, "that is NOT a clinical". My whole background is healthcare related, so I knew this. The problem is, it poses a liability risk for the nurses who act as preceptors, and that is why the hospitals won't let the online students in. No onsite instructor is provided. So the staff nurse is responsible for you plus her patients. She doesn't get to just take a break from her job to teach you and supervise you. IT'S A HUGE ISSUE.
Also, get on the Missouri Department of Professional Regulation website. You will find that the online program has received only initial approval for accreditation. Look at the board pass rates. Only 3 students from that program could sit for boards, and the pass rate is like 60%.
I could go on for HOURS about the failures of this program. And I am not knew to college. I already have a BS degree in another field. And doing what I do for a living, I hear stuff from other students all the time......be careful.

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience. Is there a reason you did not want to do clinicals at Forest Park? When I visited Deaconess (located on the Forest Park Hospital campus) for my skills validation, I felt very welcome by the hospital staff. My online class is unique in that of the 15 of us only three are located outside of St Louis...all of my classmates are doing their rotations at Forest Park and so far (three weeks in) are very happy.

You are correct in stating that it is important to secure clinical support...this is the key to success with the program. Fortunately I have been able to secure a clinical site and am actually completing twice the required clinical time in each area of study. This is what I like about doing the Deaconess program. I am in control of my education in regards to additional clinical time I want and/or need.

Really there is no more of a liability involved in a hospital offering clinical support to Deaconess students than they would have when they offer preceptorships to other students. Most hospitals offer preceptorships quite often and during that period of time the students are working under the license of their preceptor just as I am not with mine. It is really actually safer for me to be working with an RN one on one than it would be for me to be working under an instructor who is responsible for several students all at the same time.

Cheri

nadja9 · Feb 1, 2005

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience. Is there a reason you did not want to do clinicals at Forest Park? When I visited Deaconess (located on the Forest Park Hospital campus) for my skills validation, I felt very welcome by the hospital staff. My online class is unique in that of the 15 of us only three are located outside of St Louis...all of my classmates are doing their rotations at Forest Park and so far (three weeks in) are very happy.
You are correct in stating that it is important to secure clinical support...this is the key to success with the program. Fortunately I have been able to secure a clinical site and am actually completing twice the required clinical time in each area of study. This is what I like about doing the Deaconess program. I am in control of my education in regards to additional clinical time I want and/or need.
Really there is no more of a liability involved in a hospital offering clinical support to Deaconess students than they would have when they offer preceptorships to other students. Most hospitals offer preceptorships quite often and during that period of time the students are working under the license of their preceptor just as I am not with mine. It is really actually safer for me to be working with an RN one on one than it would be for me to be working under an instructor who is responsible for several students all at the same time.
Cheri

Actually, the preceptorships on my floor only involve SN's who have completed all or nearly all of their clinicals, so there is a difference. That is in a St. Louis hospital.

As far as Forest Park Hospital, it's not that I had a problem going there, although it would not have been my first choice (remember, I'm an area native). It had to do with what we were told about how clinicals worked and the reality of what we were told. Also, we didn't have a peds site. There isn't a pediatric unit at Forest Park. Did you see what I wrote about what the pediatric clinical was?? Unbelievable.

I have to be careful about what I say here, but know that those considering this program should do so with great caution. 2003-2004 Board pass rate for that program - 60%, and 3 people took it. I have no doubts as to why that is.

I really am regretful that the program wasn't what I had hoped. I'm not new to education. I gathered information from all of the nursing schools in the area, interviewed admissions representatives, thought I had done my homework. What a blow. And I am not alone. There are a number of us.

But regardless, best of luck to you. I am glad it is working for you.