Denver School of Nursing

U.S.A. Colorado

Published

Anyone out there going to or planning on going to the Denver School of Nursing ... particularly their "upper division" RN program?

Just wondering your thoughts, esp. on the fact that they are not yet accredited as a baccalaureate program. Is that a concern for anyone who is a student or soon-to-be student?

Specializes in Orthopedics.

Phatlipboardz - thanks so much for your info and concern. I have been contacting numerous people this past week, one of which has been the nursing ed consultant at the CO Board of Nursing. I still have yet to speak with her over the phone in more detail (we've been emailing), hopefully in the next few days. I've also contacted several grad schools in CO and CA and even if DSON doesn't get accredited within the time I've completed the RN program, so long as I pass the NCLEX and get registered, I can go to grad school. My choices may be more limited without having a BSN, but I'll still be able to do it so long as I have my RN.

I live in Boulder, have a house, and a husband. This limits my options for school (as I can't uproot that easily), esp. since my husband just landed a new job he really loves. I also don't want to wait much longer as "time is $". I quit my better paying job (which I didn't like anyway) to finish pre-reqs and get experience as a CNA. DSON is still my Plan B, with a few other accelerated programs being Plan A. However, given my undergrad GPA is just under a 3.0, it makes getting into certain schools more difficult. I didn't apply to UCHSC since I kept hearing how hard it was to get in, but I'm planning on applying to Beth-El. Hope they're not strict on the GPA thing, but I'll give it a shot. However, going there would require me moving for 16 months - which would cost me more, both in $ and my relationship. I think my husband and I could do it, but I'd be very sad. My only other hope would be Metro State's accelerated program ... if they start another class.

All this makes DSON a good option for me. I don't think I'd be shooting myself in the foot (as I'd be able to work as an RN), however it might make grad school a little trickier, but definitely not impossible. I am curious to what that professor has to say, if you get the chance to speak with her.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVSICU, case mgmt., Psych, education.

Sounds like you have a lot going on there. I can understand as I uprooted to come to school, I have a wife and we have a place in Boulder. This is the tough, but once you are in and get this part done, you will have a big chunk of your education behind you. Don't let the GPA discourage you from applying because you never know what could happen. My advice is to get friendly with the admissions department and make sure they remember you by name if possible. Tell them how much you want this and that they should really consider you for their program. Go in with an open mind about the type of nursing you want to do, because I have seen so many people think they wanted to be in a certain area of nursing and then realize that's the last place they want to be. If you want this, then you will have to do everything you can to make it happen. It will pay off in the end. I will be uprooting again in a few months to further extend my education and pursue additional nursing avenues. The sacrifices we make. Good luck and keep going until you've reached your goal.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology, Critical Care, ER, Educatio.

I just heard that DSN got permission in Nov to grant the BSN degree?????? Anybody else hear that?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I just heard that DSN got permission in Nov to grant the BSN degree?????? Anybody else hear that?

Edwards resident launches nursing school

Jeanette Blair isn't a woman with a natural aptitude for leisure, which explains why the Edwards resident is starting a new nursing school in Denver's Lodo district.

Denver School of Nursing, a division of the Professional Education Corporation, will operate as a post-secondary school offering several levels of nursing programs.

Blair said Colorado is currently experiencing a 13 percent shortage of nurses. She said the nursing shortage in Colorado could reach 31 percent by 2008.

"The Denver School of Nursing has been founded to provide additional resources to help address this healthcare personnel shortage issue," said Blair.

Blair is founder and president of Denver School of Nursing. Previously, she was the owner of Denver Paralegal Institute, a nationally recognized and accredited institution in paralegal education.

Blair said the school's progress would not have been possible without chief executive Michael Schledorn and Dr. Gail Armstrong.

Schledorn is the chief operating officer of Professional Education Corporation, the umbrella company for the Denver School of Nursing, and the nursing school's director. Schledorn has more than 18 years of experience in private schools and a masters in education from Texas Christian University.

"Michael is a multi-talented and very experienced professional whose many skills will assure the success of our educational programs," said Blair.

Armstrong is the director of nursing education. She earned her nursing doctorate at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in 1995, and has been an assistant professor at the School of Nursing at University of Colorado Health Sciences Center since 2000.

"We are extremely excited that Dr. Armstrong will be leading the academic development and mission of the Denver School of Nursing," said Blair.

New nursing school

• Denver School of Nursing offers a nursing Rrfresher program and a certified nurse aide program, which have been in session since January 2004.

• The Colorado State Board of Nursing also gave the school the green light to offer upper level programs for registered nurse training, a registered nurse associate degree program, and a licensed practical nurse program.

• The licensed practical nurse course begins June 21. The upper level registered nurse program is scheduled to start in September, followed by the associates degree registered nurse program in 2005.

• In addition to the nursing refresher program, the school is developing a nursing aide program, a practical nursing program and a registered nursing program.

• The Denver School of Nursing is located on the corner of Market Street and 19th Street in the "Lodo" district of downtown Denver.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I currently attend the Denver School of Nursing and have almost completed one year there. Just a warning, the school is VERY expensive and it is not worth the high cost. It has been unable to hold onto staff, including the founders of the school! The faculty has left. I have one teacher for all four of my classes! They are unorganized when it comes to clinicals sites and dates and will tell you whatever it takes to get you to enroll. For example, I was told I would have ONE clinical day a week when in fact, at times, I had had to go to clinicals three days a week, class two days a week and I work full time also. I just wanted potential students to be very aware of these facts before they sign up for a $15,000 a year school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology, Critical Care, ER, Educatio.

I too am a student of DSN.......the founder has not left who are you talking about "Infullbloom1"? The founder Jeannette Blair is still around as far as I know.

I am enjoying my classes and look forward to getting my BSN in June of 2006. The classes are small compared to any other school in town and as a new program things are going well.

Sure there are some bumps but what would you expect from a program the began it's first LPN class in July of 2004? I am happy here as are many of my fellow classmates.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm confused rnphd2b. Three posts ago you were asking if anyone had heard that the school has recieved permission to grant BSN's and now you are someone who's already in the program and very happy?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi there! I was referring to Gail Armstrong, listed in the previous post. She is gone, as well as the director of the LPN program and four other instructors(in a six month period). Our class was going to sign up for the second year so we can get our RN but about half of the class changed their minds as the school is still not able to tell us definative schedules for the second year and now states the clinicals for that year might be as many as three days a week for an unknown amount of time. I am glad the school is working well for the upper level students but we certainly have not gotten the education we were expecting.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I guess I am confused also- I thought you had an MSN and you are at the DSON as a student? Maybe I misread your profile.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology, Critical Care, ER, Educatio.
I'm confused rnphd2b. Three posts ago you were asking if anyone had heard that the school has recieved permission to grant BSN's and now you are someone who's already in the program and very happy?

Yes, I did ask the question becuase I knew it was real but I like to know what people know and see whats out there...the profile is my mom's an RN for many years......I guess you too are some of the cynical in the world....hope you can be happy...I doubt it. Gail Armstrong was not the founder that is Jeanette Blair.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Yes, I did ask the question becuase I knew it was real but I like to know what people know and see whats out there...the profile is my mom's an RN for many years......I guess you too are some of the cynical in the world....hope you can be happy...I doubt it. Gail Armstrong was not the founder that is Jeanette Blair.

No need to get so nasty- Karen and I were making an observation regarding your profile and previous comments. They didn't add up. I like to keep things honest, thats all...Getting back to the school, when did you start? Are your clinicals going ok??

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am going to check out DSON and this thread had me very lost! Can it grant BSN? on the CBN site it says 4 year program, so I thought it was, am I wrong?

Also, to a current student, if teachers are leaving left and right is it affecting your ability to learn or is it just annoying? I guess like the question that started all this, can it grant BSN or not????

Thanks

brooke

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment