Share you Deaconess Experiences!

Nursing Students Online Learning

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I've started looking into the Deaconess route for the LPN to RN program.

I'd appreciate it if anyone would share their experiences (good and bad) with Deaconess, even if you decided not to enroll... and why. What was the typical wait list like?

Thanks!

Specializes in Child/Adolescent Mental Health.
Yes, DCN has made some changes apparently for the better SINCE our class. But that didn't help us. As far as getting what you put into it, my GPA was a 3.85 on a 4 scale. I put plenty into it. So did a number of others in my class. Clinicals at St. Mary's? Not in Clayton, not at SSM. I work there and have a relative who happens to be in a very high position there. Now , their traditional students, yes , they do clinicals at St. Mary's, but not the online students. I did not go in as an LPN. We were in the our third semester, which at the time, was when clinicals began. And again, it was at the last minute when FP hospital agreed to take us for the OB clinical. What they came up with last minute for peds was just unacceptable.

I'm just curious but did you finish the pn portion? I would be just as upset as you are if I invested all that time and money and didn't even get the pn portion done.

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I'm just curious but did you finish the pn portion? I would be just as upset as you are if I invested all that time and money and didn't even get the pn portion done.

Hi Mona b,

No, none of us got to finish our pn. It was a really bad deal. The sad thing is, I loved that program the first semester. I was working my butt off, but I really liked my instructors, and I even though I only had one week out of the semester that I didn't have a test in at least one class, I had nothing but great things to say about the program. I don't know how many people I told to consider DCN.

I should've been ready to sit for my RN boards this summer, and instead, I'll just be starting over in the fall, if I can afford it. I am now paying back student loans for DCN. I have to have an even/weekend program because of work. Since I'm a single mom of a daughter getting ready to go to college in the fall, not working is not an option. Because I already have a BS degree, I don't qualify for any free money (grants) and must rely on student loans and out of pocket.

Regardless, I am glad that you have not encountered the problems I did. I wish you the best, and I think nursing is an amazing field. I've worked in some area of healthcare most of my working life, and I admire the work nurses do. Anyone who can say, "I'm a Nurse", be proud. You are the backbone, the strength of the healthcare system. You provide comfort, physically and emotionally. You wipe the tears of people who are scared, in pain, feel helpless and hopeless. Sometimes it's your own tears you must attend to. YOU SAVE LIVES. And at the end of the shift, when your back, your legs, your feet, and your brain is sore, when you haven't had a break, haven't eaten, and your bladder is the size of a football because you haven't had time to go to the bathroom, you leave thoroughly exhausted. And when you do, you can smile and stand tall, feeling great about the work you have done - that you've made a difference. It's an awesome feeling.

So, I will get that RN. And I'm glad you will, too, even if it's sooner than me!!! YOU RAT!!! LOL. Just kidding, you have my support.

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I am in my second semester which is the first clinical semester (Maternal Child/L & D/PEDS) and I am completing my clinicals at Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center in Davenport FL. I am currently working one 8 hour shift each week on Sunday and loving the support this facility has been offering me. Everyone in my class (15 people) but one person (who is located in Louisiana) have found placement for clinicals, (all but three including myself are located in MO).

As far as accreditation...here is a quote from Deaconess's Mission Page on their website:

"The Associate of Science in Nursing Program, online option, and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program are approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. The Associate of Science in Nursing Program, on campus option, has conditional approval from the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Both programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006, (212) 363-5555 or (800) 669-9656."

As far as the percentage of students sitting for boards, you have to take into account that many online Deaconess students will take boards in their home state not in Missouri so I would contact Deaconess directly for more accurate numbers regarding pass rates.

If you have any other questions, feel free to IM me.

Cheri

Hi

Hi Cheri,

The student in Louisiana needs to check with her state board of nursing. In the minutes from July, 2004, the Louisiana State Board of Nursing had some issues with DCN online specifically because of the clinical situation. Just an FYI I thought I'd pass on.

Also, since we were in the online program, DCN has obviously made some changes, but that didn't help us back when we were supposed to start our clinicals. You guys are lucky you weren't in it then.

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Specializes in Child/Adolescent Mental Health.
Hi Mona b,

No, none of us got to finish our pn. It was a really bad deal. The sad thing is, I loved that program the first semester. I was working my butt off, but I really liked my instructors, and I even though I only had one week out of the semester that I didn't have a test in at least one class, I had nothing but great things to say about the program. I don't know how many people I told to consider DCN.

I should've been ready to sit for my RN boards this summer, and instead, I'll just be starting over in the fall, if I can afford it. I am now paying back student loans for DCN. I have to have an even/weekend program because of work. Since I'm a single mom of a daughter getting ready to go to college in the fall, not working is not an option. Because I already have a BS degree, I don't qualify for any free money (grants) and must rely on student loans and out of pocket.

Regardless, I am glad that you have not encountered the problems I did. I wish you the best, and I think nursing is an amazing field. I've worked in some area of healthcare most of my working life, and I admire the work nurses do. Anyone who can say, "I'm a Nurse", be proud. You are the backbone, the strength of the healthcare system. You provide comfort, physically and emotionally. You wipe the tears of people who are scared, in pain, feel helpless and hopeless. Sometimes it's your own tears you must attend to. YOU SAVE LIVES. And at the end of the shift, when your back, your legs, your feet, and your brain is sore, when you haven't had a break, haven't eaten, and your bladder is the size of a football because you haven't had time to go to the bathroom, you leave thoroughly exhausted. And when you do, you can smile and stand tall, feeling great about the work you have done - that you've made a difference. It's an awesome feeling.

So, I will get that RN. And I'm glad you will, too, even if it's sooner than me!!! YOU RAT!!! LOL. Just kidding, you have my support.

Wow Nadja, what a graceful post. Thanks so much for the well wishes. I wish you all the best and I hope that your next nursing school experience is a great one!

Going to school is never easy, especially when you are a working mom. It sounds like you were a great student too. Best of luck to you :)

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Specializes in Child/Adolescent Mental Health.
Hi

Hi Cheri,

The student in Louisiana needs to check with her state board of nursing. In the minutes from July, 2004, the Louisiana State Board of Nursing had some issues with DCN online specifically because of the clinical situation. Just an FYI I thought I'd pass on.

Also, since we were in the online program, DCN has obviously made some changes, but that didn't help us back when we were supposed to start our clinicals. You guys are lucky you weren't in it then.

Here is a link to the minutes from July. I did not notice anything out of the ordinary. It sounds like they are really trying to prepare themselves for more programs such as DCN.

Check it out. Scroll about halfway down the page. You can also do a search from the homepage for "Deaconess".

http://www.lsbn.state.la.us/documents/agenda/educmin04272004.pdf

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Here is a link to the minutes from July. I did not notice anything out of the ordinary. It sounds like they are really trying to prepare themselves for more programs such as DCN.

Check it out. Scroll about halfway down the page. You can also do a search from the homepage for "Deaconess".

http://www.lsbn.state.la.us/documents/agenda/educmin04272004.pdf

Hey Mona,

Thanks for that! It's actually a different set of minutes than I have!

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Here is a link to the minutes from July. I did not notice anything out of the ordinary. It sounds like they are really trying to prepare themselves for more programs such as DCN.

Check it out. Scroll about halfway down the page. You can also do a search from the homepage for "Deaconess".

http://www.lsbn.state.la.us/documents/agenda/educmin04272004.pdf

Hello again.

Just got off their website. Those minutes you linked to were from April. Look at Septembers, months later. The final decision was individual review. Check it out.

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Specializes in Child/Adolescent Mental Health.
Hello again.

Just got off their website. Those minutes you linked to were from April. Look at Septembers, months later. The final decision was individual review. Check it out.

Yes, I saw that as well. I think they also mentioned Excelscior college in the same statement.

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Hi

Hi Cheri,

The student in Louisiana needs to check with her state board of nursing. In the minutes from July, 2004, the Louisiana State Board of Nursing had some issues with DCN online specifically because of the clinical situation. Just an FYI I thought I'd pass on.

Also, since we were in the online program, DCN has obviously made some changes, but that didn't help us back when we were supposed to start our clinicals. You guys are lucky you weren't in it then.

Nadja9,

I am so sorry to hear that the Deaconess program started out rough for you and your classmates. But I was just wondering...if you completed many of the DCN courses not too long ago, couldn't you reenter and finish what you need for the PN component. By third semester you would be more than half way done. Then what you started would not be totally lost. Apparently they have the clinical issues under control now and you would be able to have the experience you need.

Just a thought...I am sure that you may be turned off by the past problems...but perhaps there is something there to salvage.

Best Wishes to you in your further pursuit of nursing. :)

Cheri

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

moderator's note:

please debate the issues and avoid personal attacks. thank you.

vickyrn

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Nadja9,

I am so sorry to hear that the Deaconess program started out rough for you and your classmates. But I was just wondering...if you completed many of the DCN courses not too long ago, couldn't you reenter and finish what you need for the PN component. By third semester you would be more than half way done. Then what you started would not be totally lost. Apparently they have the clinical issues under control now and you would be able to have the experience you need.

Just a thought...I am sure that you may be turned off by the past problems...but perhaps there is something there to salvage.

Best Wishes to you in your further pursuit of nursing. :)

Cheri

Hi Cheri,

Actually, it didn't start rough. It just ended that way due to the clinical issue. I had a GPA of 3.85 or 3.8 something after 1st semester. And I loved DCN at that point. At the time things happened, it was policy that the program was continuous, and one could not sit out a semester. I actually thought about going back there, but they actually have restructured the program since then (the clinical issues aren't the only things that have changed). So there is a group of us moving on to other schools.

However, I am glad it appears DCN has worked out the "bugs" in the program, and I wish you the very best. You have my support, positive thoughts, and prayers as you go on your journey. The only reason I began discussing the whole thing was because I didn't want anyone else to go through what we did.

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Specializes in Child/Adolescent Mental Health.
Hi Cheri,

Actually, it didn't start rough. It just ended that way due to the clinical issue. I had a GPA of 3.85 or 3.8 something after 1st semester. And I loved DCN at that point. At the time things happened, it was policy that the program was continuous, and one could not sit out a semester. I actually thought about going back there, but they actually have restructured the program since then (the clinical issues aren't the only things that have changed). So there is a group of us moving on to other schools.

However, I am glad it appears DCN has worked out the "bugs" in the program, and I wish you the very best. You have my support, positive thoughts, and prayers as you go on your journey. The only reason I began discussing the whole thing was because I didn't want anyone else to go through what we did.

Hi Nadja9,

I find it very disturbing that things like this were allowed to develop for students at DCN. I'm not quite sure exactly what the issues were but if it were "clinical issues" I don't understand how come they did not accommadate the students at FPH.

There used to be a policy that if a student wanted to sit for the nclex pn, they had to exit out for a semster but I have not heard that you must remain in the program without semester break. Actually, it does say in the catalog that if you exit out for more than 1 semester you may have to reapply which leads me to believe that leaves of absence were acceptable.The policy regarding taking a LOA for the sake of taking the nclex may apply to future students, I am not really sure on that one.

BTW, nice gpa. :yelclap:

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