Denver Nurses, Advice about DSN?

[Kaliwalker]

Hello, I've just been scheduled to interview for the BSN program at Denver School of Nursing (April 2016 start date). Recently I came across some terrible student reviews. I was hoping current Denver nurses, community members, and/or prior students could shed some light on this manner. Do lots of students fail out? Is the school mainly focused on making money rather than producing sound nurses? Do hospitals in the area like Nurses that come from DSN? What does the general community think of DSN Nurses? I would really appreciate any advice I can get. Thanks!

[SummitRN, BSN, RN]

Don't know...our hospital doesn't seem to hire their grads and they don't do clinicals with us

[klone, MSN, RN]

I know the program is hella expensive, and if you look at DORA's website, their NCLEX pass rate is not very good. Your better bet is UC Denver. Their pass rate is consistently in the mid-90s, tuition is cheaper, and it's a well-established, respected institution in the community, with good clinical placement.

I can say that I've worked at UCH, Children's, and Denver Health, and I've never seen DSoN students come through any of those facilities for their OB or Community Health rotation.

I've seen plenty of UC and Regis students, but never someone from DSoN.

[Boxer Mama]

I am a former student of DSN and a recent new grad. Any school is going to have good and bad points, and I really think it is what you put into it. It is true the NCLEX pass rate for 2015 is not good as reported on the DORA website. Since I can only speak for myself, here it goes. I did have an OB rotation at Denver Health and other clinicals at other hospitals. The majority of my cohort passed their board exams on the first try and now have hospital positions throughout Denver and in other states - UCH, Children's, Swedish, Denver Health, Medical Center of Aurora, Porter, Rose, Lutheran, SJH just to name a few. In addition, I was selected, along with other DSN new grads, for a competitive SCL new grad residency program.

There are no perfect programs. I would recommend getting information about all the programs you are interested in and seeing which one works for you.

Good luck!

[HCaldwell]

I just scheduled my interview for DSN too! My interview is on January 11 and I'm from northern California.

[rgilette]

As far as who hires DSN grads, I know that University and Centura definitely do. Those are two of the largest hospital systems in Colorado. Tuition wise, if you are a CO resident, CU is cheaper and has better NCLEX pass rates (also super competitive). If you are out of state, Metro will have cheaper tuition, where as CU and DSN will be comparable as long as you pay out of state tuition.