Last Day of Exams...Great 1st Semester at Deaconess!

opalmRN · Dec 16, 2004

Isn't a good feeling to have a semester behind you? My experience with DCN was the hardest the first semester due to getting the routine down. After that, things fell into place more. I remember feeling so overwhelmed the first month trying to figure out how to keep each of the course requirements, chats, test dates etc. straight!!

The clinical semesters throw a new flavor into the mix but for me the clinical components really helped pull it all together.

Good luck this semester. I hope you don't have to travel in bad weather to clinical. My karma such that it is, had me doing the med/surg rotation during the winter. That wouldn't have been so bad but I did my clinical at night because I work full time days. Several nights I spent driving home in blinding snow. Yeah, it was fun. The normal 1 hour ride turned into 2.5 some nights. Glad that is behind me.

Keep us posted and if I can help along the way just send me a pm.

Opal

Hi Everyone!
Just wanted to share my excitement! I got an A on my NR163 final Saturday evening!..WOOHOO
I have two more exams tonight (NR160 & COM103) and then I am officially done with my first semester! Deaconess has been a great experience so far and I am so excited about starting back in January!
Would love to hear how all my Deaconess pals are doing! So keep in touch!

fry.girl · Dec 16, 2004

Hi Cheri,
Congratulation on your GREAT grade! I just got back from validations for NR170 and it was actually fun, vaalidations weren't easy but it was doable; I got to meet everyone in my class and that was fun! I also finished my finals last night and I feel relieved; didn't get an A like you but I passed!!! I'm glad to rest for a few weeks but look forward to next semester! Keep in touch.
LTNUrse

LTNurse,

Good to hear from you! I'm glad that validation went well. It is a great opportunity to finally meet everyone you interact each week. Congrats on another successful semester!

Enjoy the next couple of weeks off and have a Happy Holiday!

Cheri

fry.girl · Dec 16, 2004

Isn't a good feeling to have a semester behind you? My experience with DCN was the hardest the first semester due to getting the routine down. After that, things fell into place more. I remember feeling so overwhelmed the first month trying to figure out how to keep each of the course requirements, chats, test dates etc. straight!!
The clinical semesters throw a new flavor into the mix but for me the clinical components really helped pull it all together.
Good luck this semester. I hope you don't have to travel in bad weather to clinical. My karma such that it is, had me doing the med/surg rotation during the winter. That wouldn't have been so bad but I did my clinical at night because I work full time days. Several nights I spent driving home in blinding snow. Yeah, it was fun. The normal 1 hour ride turned into 2.5 some nights. Glad that is behind me.
Keep us posted and if I can help along the way just send me a pm.
Opal

Opal,

Your are so dead on about the first month at DCN...it just takes a little time to get a routine down. I feel so much more confident now. I am so happy I commited to doing this...I have learned so much already about nursing and myself.

Will be doing OB, L&D, and PEDS this coming semester. I think I have it worked out to do my clinicals in 8 hour shift on Saturdays. Will be doing A&P II two nights a week. I think this semester will be the busiest, but ya know time flys when your having fun, right? :rotfl:

I really appreciate all your support. You are an inspiration to me!

Cheri

opalmRN · Dec 16, 2004

Opal,
Will be doing OB, L&D, and PEDS this coming semester. I think I have it worked out to do my clinicals in 8 hour shift on Saturdays. Will be doing A&P II two nights a week. I think this semester will be the busiest, but ya know time flys when your having fun, right? :rotfl: Cheri

Yeah, you don't have TIME to boo-hoo over all the things your missing out on!!

I often wondered why I didn't loose weight when I was up 20 out of 24 hours each day eating breakfast and surviving on coffee the other two meals. There must be a heck of a lot of calories in coffee!! :rotfl:

HannasMom · Dec 16, 2004

I'm a LPN and I'm taking Microbiology this semester (January 2005), due to it being too many years too old for the LPN to RN program here in Portland. I am also looking at LPN to RN programs online, there doesn't seem to be very many. I have thought about Excelsior, but prefer something more online, than self-learning. I need "structure". My Micro class is online, and I also took Sociology online. I love online classes.

How do you manage to afford Deaconess? I would love to attend Deaconess, but I heard it is really expensive.

fry.girl · Dec 16, 2004

I'm a LPN and I'm taking Microbiology this semester (January 2005), due to it being too many years too old for the LPN to RN program here in Portland. I am also looking at LPN to RN programs online, there doesn't seem to be very many. I have thought about Excelsior, but prefer something more online, than self-learning. I need "structure". My Micro class is online, and I also took Sociology online. I love online classes.
How do you manage to afford Deaconess? I would love to attend Deaconess, but I heard it is really expensive.

I applied for the maximum in Stafford Loan money, which covers most of the cost. My first semester I paid about $500 out of pocket but this coming semester I hope to have some scholarship money I applied for. (fingers crossed). Once I have my LPN at the end of 2005, I will start working for the hospital and have some tuition reimbursement for the RN portion of the program.

Cheri

HannasMom · Dec 16, 2004

Cheri what is the deadline for applying for the fall 2005 program?

fry.girl · Dec 16, 2004

Yeah, you don't have TIME to boo-hoo over all the things your missing out on!!
I often wondered why I didn't loose weight when I was up 20 out of 24 hours each day eating breakfast and surviving on coffee the other two meals. There must be a heck of a lot of calories in coffee!! :rotfl:

Opal...

I have been done since Monday night and ya know...each night I get home from work I sit on the couch and think...what the heck did I use to do with my free time? It is so odd to have no reading, webchating, or testing to do!

Loving the free time...getting my Christmas shopping and wrapping done!

Cheri

fry.girl · Dec 16, 2004

Cheri what is the deadline for applying for the fall 2005 program?

HannasMom,

You will need to call to get the exact date...I know that last year decisions were made on April 1st for the Fall...I sent my application in March, just barely in time to make the cut. They also have classes that start in the Summer, not sure what the deadline is for that either, but when I applied they said I could have applied to be an alternate for the summer...but I couldn't start that early.

The number to DCN is 1-800-942-4310.

Cheri

HannasMom · Dec 16, 2004

Thank you Cheri!

HannasMom · Dec 16, 2004

Cheri, I just talked to an advisor at Deaconess, she said if I get all my transcripts and application, a copy of my LPN license, plus application fee to them, I may not be too late to enter the LPN to RN program starting January 10, 2005. WOW!!!

fry.girl · Dec 16, 2004

Cheri, I just talked to an advisor at Deaconess, she said if I get all my transcripts and application, a copy of my LPN license, plus application fee to them, I may not be too late to enter the LPN to RN program starting January 10, 2005. WOW!!!

HannasMom,

That is wonderful news! Be sure to let us know what happens...

Cheri