Has anyone completed the PN component at Deaconess?

mona b RN, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2004

I contacted Deaconess yesterday to get more information on their program. I was informed that I could not just do the practical nursing component that I had to sign an agreement for the the two year program. I feel the LPN would be better for me now as a distance program while I am waiting for acceptance into the the local RN program next fall. Has anyone only completed the LPN portion? What are the consequesnces if you don't complete the RN? I am taking all my prerequisites at the local community college to get them out of the way. The deadline for admission in January is sometime in September.
Can someone also explain what is done when you go on campus the first time. What all is covered? What are they expecting out of you?

That must be a new requirement because when I enrolled you could elect to take the pn portion only. I haven't heard that they changed the program. Who did you speak with at DCN?

The on campus visits are so they can see that you know what you are doing. It's not really a test but it is to show them that you can do certain things or skills.

Have you actually applied to DCN? I know that the program is getting very popular so I would procrastinate.

Let us know and welcome aboard!

mona

bmw804 · Aug 7, 2004

I haven't applied to the program yet, I am waiting for my application in the mail. I feel a little hesitant. Its seems too good. I would like to talk with others that are in the program or who have completed the program.

opalmRN · Aug 9, 2004

I contacted Deaconess yesterday to get more information on their program. I was informed that I could not just do the practical nursing component that I had to sign an agreement for the the two year program. I feel the LPN would be better for me now as a distance program while I am waiting for acceptance into the the local RN program next fall. Has anyone only completed the LPN portion? What are the consequesnces if you don't complete the RN? I am taking all my prerequisites at the local community college to get them out of the way. The deadline for admission in January is sometime in September.
Can someone also explain what is done when you go on campus the first time. What all is covered? What are they expecting out of you?

I finsihed the PN component and am waiting to hear back from a school I applied to to finish the RN portion. Maybe this is a new requirement that was not in place when I enrolled. As to my knowledge there are no consequences but then maybe the school will not provide a letter of completion for the PN any longer.

The first clinical validation I went to DCN for was not difficult (and neither was the second). The school expects you to do the following (keep in mind this may change as time goes on)

We were each given a patient chart and we had to research through the chart for all the pertinent information. Then we went back to our hotel rooms and worked on a care plan and made a "cheat sheet" to carry with us the next day as we did BASIC care for our assigned patient. We charted in the patient's chart only the basic care information vitals etc. We gave the patient their meds with our instructor present and then we charted on the patient MAR. Some people had IV's to D/C and some did not it all depended on your assigned patient. We practiced IV insertion in the lab not on the patient's at the hospital.

The validations are not intense. They are a way for the school staff to evaluate your SAFE patient skills and to be sure you are on the right track for the next semester. If they suspect a student is weak in an area they try to spend extra time with them one on one. It was not difficult and nothing to worry over. Everyone passed (as it is pass/fail) and only two students had to spend extra time with an instructor for additional help.

The staff would always say "show me" or "tell me" how you would do such and such. It was never a performance stress. If we did something wrong, they would tell us how to correct it but no one failed.

Hope this helps with your decision.

sheliamd · Aug 23, 2004

Hi alll..

Can anyone provide details about the deconess program?

That must be a new requirement because when I enrolled you could elect to take the pn portion only. I haven't heard that they changed the program. Who did you speak with at DCN?
The on campus visits are so they can see that you know what you are doing. It's not really a test but it is to show them that you can do certain things or skills.
Have you actually applied to DCN? I know that the program is getting very popular so I would procrastinate.
Let us know and welcome aboard!
mona

opalmRN · Aug 24, 2004

Hi alll..
Can anyone provide details about the deconess program?

What specifically would you like to know?

sheliamd · Aug 24, 2004

What specifically would you like to know?

Did any of you have problems finding jobs after completing the program? Are the credits transferrable to other schools for the BSN?

opalmRN · Aug 24, 2004

Did any of you have problems finding jobs after completing the program? Are the credits transferrable to other schools for the BSN?

No, no problems finding a job but finding an open position has to do with the area one lives and the need for PNs.

As for transferring to a BSN program, I have no idea as I am not pursuing a BSN at this time. Transfer of credits is always at the discretion of the incoming school not the school where the credits were obtained. I hope this helps.

sheliamd · Aug 24, 2004

I was just worried about finding a job after taking a DL program.

No, no problems finding a job but finding an open position has to do with the area one lives and the need for PNs.
As for transferring to a BSN program, I have no idea as I am not pursuing a BSN at this time. Transfer of credits is always at the discretion of the incoming school not the school where the credits were obtained. I hope this helps.

opalmRN · Aug 26, 2004

I was just worried about finding a job after taking a DL program.

After the PN component, you can request a letter of completion. Unfortunately, I am not aware of anything else from the school. You may want to call the school and ask about the ADN completion. Either way on-campus or online makes no difference as far as this school. The SBON of MO regulates the schools programs and therefore meets the requirements needed to successfully complete either program. That is what students need to be concerned with.

sheliamd · Aug 26, 2004

However, I'm in Florida.... I hope i can transfer the certification to FL from MO. I will call Fl BON.

After the PN component, you can request a letter of completion. Unfortunately, I am not aware of anything else from the school. You may want to call the school and ask about the ADN completion. Either way on-campus or online makes no difference as far as this school. The SBON of MO regulates the schools programs and therefore meets the requirements needed to successfully complete either program. That is what students need to be concerned with.

fry.girl · Aug 26, 2004

However, I'm in Florida.... I hope i can transfer the certification to FL from MO. I will call Fl BON.

sheliamd,

I live in FL and attend Deaconess Online...I wrote to the FBON and they said that they could not give me an informal confirmation of approval, but that the program, as I described it to them would meet the critieria for approval.

The criteria for Florida evidently is similar to that of Missouri as I know that my mother in law received her LPN license in FL by endorsement from Missouri with question. Florida's requirement for endosement states, "the requirements for licensure were substantially equivalent to, or more stringent than, those existing in Florida".

Let me know if you hear anything differently from the FBON when you call...

Thanks

Cheri