NMSU / DABCC - Opinions

Nursetastic · Apr 25, 2009

I graduated from NMSU nursing school this past December. I thought it was a little unorganized at times, but I feel like they taught me what i needed to know. We have a 96% pass rate on the NCLEX...so I guess they are doing something right! I passed after 75 questions. The ultimate goal was to pass the NCLEX and have the foundations to become a great nurse..and I feel like they allowed me to do that although me and a lot of my classmates griped throughout nursing school.
I'm not sure about DABCC. I know the community reputation is bad. I've heard they are supposed to get shut down due to their NCLEX pass rates being low. But who kows. I don't think it has much to do with ADN vs. BSN. Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy I got my BSN. Some of the best nurses are have an ADN.
Anywho...I'd recommend NMSU. Good luck.

DACC is NOT being shut down, in fact, probation was even avoided because of changes that have been made. DACC has been under the direction of a "new" director for the past 10 months or so. The changes I have seen as a student are absolutely remarkable. Expectations are set higher, communication is better, and the caliber of instructors (except one "grandfathered" instructor) has increased significantly. The NCLEX pass rate for the graduates of December '08 was 100%. Granted, a few had to learn the hard way that nursing school is not easy, and yes you can in fact fail classes at DACC. Interesting to point out, however, of the students that took "remediation" (4 I think) this semester NONE passed the exit HESI, yet again. So that is on them. The class graduating in May had only 2 fail the exit HESI and from what I understand they have struggled on the brink of failing throughout their entire time in the program.

Nursing school sucks. Nursing instructors do not have time to teach you everything. They are there to (hopefully) lay a solid foundation from which you can learn and expand upon. Personally, I learn more during clinicals than I do during any of the lecture classes. Ask questions. Seek information. Pay attention. Be an adult learner and you will do fine.

We just found out this week that future applicants will have to pass an entrance HESI and I've also heard that face to face interviews and writing samples will be a part of the formal application as well (thank goodness). In my opinion, and in the opinions of many nurses I've talked to at both hospitals, DACC students have superior clinical skills and are beginning to rival NMSU in their book knowledge. The NMSU students I share clinical hours with are not the go-getters my classmates are. NMSU is doing a disservice to their students by not encouraging them to be proactive in seeking out skills to practice. We get our butts chewed and can fail a clinical day if we are seen sitting in the treatment room or holding up a wall somewhere. So much learning comes from just walking up on things happening and asking if you can help. My advice is to not depend on didactic classes, but take every learning opportunity you can in the clinical setting.

I have the utmost respect for students going through any nursing school, and quite honestly, have enjoyed working side by side with peers from both programs. Either program is just fine. But you have to be willing to WORK for your education. It is not going to be handed to you. The medical field is constantly changing so you might as well look at nursing school as a sort of prep for what you will experience in the workplace...regardless of where you decide to work.

sailornurse · Jun 7, 2009

Unfortunately the annual pass rate for DABCC/DACC is 68% for 2008, which is what the board uses to determine placing a program on probation. NMSU pass rate for 2008 is 85%.

Here is the link to the Spring 2009

http://www.bon.state.nm.us/pdf/news_spring2009.pdf

It was my understanding that the DACC program had been placed on probation. That is what I was told by another faculty.

As to your interactions with NMSU students, Clinical rotations are on different days of the week so that only students from one school are at the hospital on a given day. The exception to this is when students from both schools are in the final semester in the preceptorship, then they work the schedule of the RN they are assigned to. I would have to say thay your limited interaction/observations are insufficient for you to make comparissons of any type about students from another school. Please clarify the amount of hours you actually spent with NMSU students and in what capacity.

I truly hope that the DACC program remains viable. It used to be an exceptional program in the early years and with the nursing shortage it is important to the community.

SailorNurse DABCC alumni 1977/79

readytoroll · Jun 19, 2009

My husband is being reassigned to Alamogordo in August. I am just fininshing up my LPN and graduation on July 1st:yeah:I intend to go straight into an RN program either a local bridge or the ISU LPN to BSN (expensive). Can you tell me anything about what your class/clinical schedules are on a weekly basis. I am trying to determine if the lower tuition is worth the drive! Thanks in advance!:typing

Nursetastic · Jun 19, 2009

My husband is being reassigned to Alamogordo in August. I am just fininshing up my LPN and graduation on July 1st:yeah:I intend to go straight into an RN program either a local bridge or the ISU LPN to BSN (expensive). Can you tell me anything about what your class/clinical schedules are on a weekly basis. I am trying to determine if the lower tuition is worth the drive! Thanks in advance!:typing

There is a branch of NMSU in Alamogordo, but I'm not sure of any of their clinical schedules. If you were to come in as an LPN to RN in Las Cruces, your first semester would be about 8 hours a week of clinicals and classes 3 of the remaining 4 days. Your next semester would be about 16 hours of clinicals spread over 2 days and 2 full days of classes. Your final semester would be your preceptorship with classes a couple of times a week. Its not too horrible. PM me if you want and I can help you muddle through some more information. :nuke:

readytoroll · Jun 21, 2009

I saw that there was a branch in Alamogordo, but no bridge program! :crying2: Since my LPN was done at a technical school I don't have college credit for it. I assume I would have to start from ground zero in Alamogordo, unless there is someway to test out of the first year nursing courses?

lcearwood · Jul 2, 2009

Since you're already an LPN, I believe there IS a way to get around the first semester of courses in Alamogordo. I think it depends on your scores for the entrance HESI. If I were you , I'd get in touch with the program director and find out. Here is the website for the NMSU-A Nursing program: http://nmsua.edu/nursing/

I graduated from NMSU-A Nursing in May '08 and I enjoyed the smaller class size there. Clinical experience probably isn't as good as what you would get in Las Cruces b/c the hospital in Alamogordo is super small and there's just not much going on. In fact, a few of our clinical experiences we did outside of Alamogordo. I also really like the faculty at the Alamogordo branch. When I started there, I was new to town- didn't know anyone or anything about the place- everyone I ran into on campus was really nice and helpful about everything- from places to eat and live to shopping to school info. They currently do not have a full time director but I think things are still running pretty smoothly for them.

I hope that helps. Good Luck! :)

sailornurse · Aug 24, 2012

UPDATE: DACC loses NLN accreditation. Students are in limbo with today being first day of classes. I attended the Board of Regents meeting to hear what the president of the community college and the director of the program had to say. To those students, don't give up on your dreams. There are other nursing programs, Western NMU in Silver, Alamogordo, EPCC, Utep, & NMSU. As former faculty of DABCC ('02) and DABCC alum 77/79 and former faculty at NMSU ('02-11) I would encourage the students to continue with their education.