I need to hear from some Deaconess students...

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Hey there fellow DCN students!

I need some help and reassurance...

I am about 6 weeks from my first clinical eval in St Louis...as many of you may or may not know, the format of the ASN program has changed to include an in lab, one-on-one with instructor, three hour Basic Skills evaluation at the end of Semester 1 (NR163).

Myself and several of my classmates are really getting concerned about how we will do as we have been told that we must pass with 90% accuracy or we fail NR163 and must repeat it. :rolleyes: I have had limited practice time for these skills as I do not currently work in a healthcare environment, but I am now working at the hospital as an intern 4 hrs a week from now until the eval to get my skills down.

I have been through a CNA program, so I am not exactly new to most of the skills that they are looking for: handwashing technique, AM Care, bedmaking etc. I am more concerned about foley cath insertion (mannequin), endotrach suctioning, isolation technique etc. These tasks are very new to me and my confidence is waivering. :uhoh21:

I asked our instructor last night during webchat if she would share the pass rate statistics for this Basic Skills eval...and her comment was "Some Pass and Some Do Not". :imbar

Can you give me some ideas of what to expect from a Deaconess eval...? Are there any Deaconess students that have already been through this Basic Skills eval that can comment...

Thanks! :)

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Hey there fellow DCN students!

I need some help and reassurance...

I am about 6 weeks from my first clinical eval in St Louis...as many of you may or may not know, the format of the ASN program has changed to include an in lab, one-on-one with instructor, three hour Basic Skills evaluation at the end of Semester 1 (NR163).

Myself and several of my classmates are really getting concerned about how we will do as we have been told that we must pass with 90% accuracy or we fail NR163 and must repeat it. :rolleyes: I have had limited practice time for these skills as I do not currently work in a healthcare environment, but I am now working at the hospital as an intern 4 hrs a week from now until the eval to get my skills down.

Now I have been through a CNA program, so I am not exactly new to most of the skills that they are looking for: handwashing technique, AM Care, bedmaking etc. I am more concerned about foley cath insertion (mannequin), endotrach suctioning, isolation technique etc. These tasks are very new to me and my confidence is waivering. :uhoh21:

I asked our instructor last night during webchat if she would share the pass rate statistics for this Basic Skills eval...and her comment was "Some Pass and Some Do Not". :imbar

Can you give me some ideas of what to expect from a Deaconess eval...? Are there any Deaconess students that have already been through this Basic Skills eval that can comment...

Thanks! :)

It is not bad at all. BELIEVE me, you will do just fine.

Sent you a pm

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It is not bad at all. BELIEVE me, you will do just fine.

Sent you a pm

Opalm,

I got your IM and I appreciate your help! I just think my nerves are getting to me is all. Hopefully I will be looking back and feeling silly about being so nervous! (fingers crossed)

:chuckle

Cheri

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Hopefully I will be looking back and feeling silly about being so nervous! (fingers crossed)Cheri

They only expect students to be prepared not perfect! Keep us posted!

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Specializes in Child/Adolescent Mental Health.
Hey there fellow DCN students!

I need some help and reassurance...

I am about 6 weeks from my first clinical eval in St Louis...as many of you may or may not know, the format of the ASN program has changed to include an in lab, one-on-one with instructor, three hour Basic Skills evaluation at the end of Semester 1 (NR163).

Myself and several of my classmates are really getting concerned about how we will do as we have been told that we must pass with 90% accuracy or we fail NR163 and must repeat it. :rolleyes: I have had limited practice time for these skills as I do not currently work in a healthcare environment, but I am now working at the hospital as an intern 4 hrs a week from now until the eval to get my skills down.

I have been through a CNA program, so I am not exactly new to most of the skills that they are looking for: handwashing technique, AM Care, bedmaking etc. I am more concerned about foley cath insertion (mannequin), endotrach suctioning, isolation technique etc. These tasks are very new to me and my confidence is waivering. :uhoh21:

I asked our instructor last night during webchat if she would share the pass rate statistics for this Basic Skills eval...and her comment was "Some Pass and Some Do Not". :imbar

Can you give me some ideas of what to expect from a Deaconess eval...? Are there any Deaconess students that have already been through this Basic Skills eval that can comment...

Thanks! :)

You know what I would do? I would insist that you be given the necessary instruction to pass at 100%. Are you supposed to learn all of the basic skills in 3 hours?

This chaps my hide...head games is all it is. :angryfire Geesh...

Seriously, don't worry too much about the basic skills. They just want to make sure that you are delivering safe care which I am sure you are capable of doing.

mona

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You know what I would do? I would insist that you be given the necessary instruction to pass at 100%. Are you supposed to learn all of the basic skills in 3 hours?

This chaps my hide...head games is all it is. :angryfire Geesh...

Seriously, don't worry too much about the basic skills. They just want to make sure that you are delivering safe care which I am sure you are capable of doing.

mona

Mona,

Oh, don't misunderstand, the three hours a week is the amount of time I have set up for myself...this internship at the hospital allows me to set the hours I want. So if I need more time I can have all I want. But I am still balancing work, school, and family too. At home I am working on my skills and practicing on my family etc.

Like I said I have alot of these skills down but some of the more involved ones I mentioned (caths/suctioning). My biggest concern is how the evaluation is scored and what specifically maybe key in the evaluators mind.

OPALM gave the same advise...to relax a little and just be prepared to show competence. I think my biggest fear is of the unknown...this first evaluation will be a real hurtle for me. Once it is behind me, I know my confidence will be soaring.

Thanks for your encouragement!

Cheri

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You know what I would do? I would insist that you be given the necessary instruction to pass at 100%. Are you supposed to learn all of the basic skills in 3 hours?

This chaps my hide...head games is all it is. :angryfire Geesh...

Seriously, don't worry too much about the basic skills. They just want to make sure that you are delivering safe care which I am sure you are capable of doing.

mona

Mona,

Oh, don't misunderstand, the three hours a week is the amount of time I have set up for myself...this internship at the hospital allows me to set the hours I want. So if I need more time I can have all I want. But I am still balancing work, school, and family too. At home I am working on my skills and practicing on my family etc.

Like I said I have alot of these skills down but some of the more involved ones I mentioned (caths/suctioning). My biggest concern is how the evaluation is scored and what specifically maybe key in the evaluators mind.

OPALM gave the same advise...to relax a little and just be prepared to show competence. I think my biggest fear is of the unknown...this first evaluation will be a real hurtle for me. Once it is behind me, I know my confidence will be soaring.

Thanks for your encouragement!

Cheri

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Hi everyone,

I'm glad to see that there are some students here taking the online program at DCN. I am a prospective student and have some questions.

With respect to the course work and tests, is it simply reading chapters in your text and then taking the test online. I realize that there is the skills assessment test that you must go in and take during your first semester. I guess what I am wondering is: Are the tests straight forward or do they require more critical thinking and therefore you might better off in a class room setting where you have an idea of what the instructor is looking for? Do any of you have trouble with the amount of time given on tests related to the number of questions that need to be answered.

Also, tell anything else that I am missing in terms of how this program works. I know that you need to find preceptors and arrange to work around their hours, but I am sure that there are things that I am unaware of. Please enlighten me!!

If I am going to spend this kind of money I really need to make sure that it is something that works for me and my learning style. Any information you have is greatly appreciated!!

Thank you!

Kelly:)

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Hi everyone,

I'm glad to see that there are some students here taking the online program at DCN. I am a prospective student and have some questions.

With respect to the course work and tests, is it simply reading chapters in your text and then taking the test online. I realize that there is the skills assessment test that you must go in and take during your first semester. I guess what I am wondering is: Are the tests straight forward or do they require more critical thinking and therefore you might better off in a class room setting where you have an idea of what the instructor is looking for? Do any of you have trouble with the amount of time given on tests related to the number of questions that need to be answered.

Also, tell anything else that I am missing in terms of how this program works. I know that you need to find preceptors and arrange to work around their hours, but I am sure that there are things that I am unaware of. Please enlighten me!!

If I am going to spend this kind of money I really need to make sure that it is something that works for me and my learning style. Any information you have is greatly appreciated!!

Thank you!

Kelly:)

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Kelly,

I hope the following is helpful...

With respect to the course work and tests, is it simply reading chapters in your text and then taking the test online.

The classes operate on a schedule similar to a traditional class. Reading assignments, quizes, papers, exams scheduled with due dates. The classes I am taking this semester each have a webchat session one evening a week, where the instructor and classmates discuss topics and answer questions etc. Of course the instructor is available by email and/or phone for questions as well when needed.

Are the tests straight forward or do they require more critical thinking and therefore you might better off in a class room setting where you have an idea of what the instructor is looking for?

I have found that the test questions do require critical thinking and application of what you have learned, not just reciting back definitions etc. But I would hope this is customary of all nursing classes since critical thinking is essential to nursing. I have also found that with proper reading and studying these tests are not anymore difficult than what should be expected. You are not out there alone in this I have wonderful instructors that have helped me along the way.

Do any of you have trouble with the amount of time given on tests related to the number of questions that need to be answered.

I have never come within less than 10 minutes of the total amount of time needed to complete a test. (so far)

If I am going to spend this kind of money I really need to make sure that it is something that works for me and my learning style.

If you have never completed an online course before, it would be a good idea to see if your local community college offers one for a prereq you might need and see how you do. IMHO The essential element of online learning is self-discipline.

If nursing is something you are excited and passion about...you should not have a problem. I personally have learned alot about myself from the experience so far and I have never questioned if I am doing the right thing.

Cheri

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Kelly,

I hope the following is helpful...

With respect to the course work and tests, is it simply reading chapters in your text and then taking the test online.

The classes operate on a schedule similar to a traditional class. Reading assignments, quizes, papers, exams scheduled with due dates. The classes I am taking this semester each have a webchat session one evening a week, where the instructor and classmates discuss topics and answer questions etc. Of course the instructor is available by email and/or phone for questions as well when needed.

Are the tests straight forward or do they require more critical thinking and therefore you might better off in a class room setting where you have an idea of what the instructor is looking for?

I have found that the test questions do require critical thinking and application of what you have learned, not just reciting back definitions etc. But I would hope this is customary of all nursing classes since critical thinking is essential to nursing. I have also found that with proper reading and studying these tests are not anymore difficult than what should be expected. You are not out there alone in this I have wonderful instructors that have helped me along the way.

Do any of you have trouble with the amount of time given on tests related to the number of questions that need to be answered.

I have never come within less than 10 minutes of the total amount of time needed to complete a test. (so far)

If I am going to spend this kind of money I really need to make sure that it is something that works for me and my learning style.

If you have never completed an online course before, it would be a good idea to see if your local community college offers one for a prereq you might need and see how you do. IMHO The essential element of online learning is self-discipline.

If nursing is something you are excited and passion about...you should not have a problem. I personally have learned alot about myself from the experience so far and I have never questioned if I am doing the right thing.

Cheri

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Cheri

Thank you so much for the info. I am still trying to decide what to do...Community College, Online, BSN.....so any information is wonderful!

Thanks,

Kelly:)

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