PDC

I am a DSN graduate and would like to clarify a couple of points. DSN was not a diploma program prior to this accreditation. They have been approved by both the Colorado Commision on Higher Education and The Colorado BON. When I graduated, I recieved a bachelors degree and was eligible to take the NCLEX. Also, a little off topic but for the folks about to start or considering the school, I was hired into a fairly competitive new grad program for critical care in the Denver area.

Fuzzie, The whole accredidation thing is very confusing. There are numerous accrediting organizations and interpretation of what that word means. CCD as a school is accredited, this is from their website: "CCD maintains continuous accreditation through the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Specific programs are accredited through professional organizations as follows: Nursing Colorado State Board of Nursing(I cut out all of the other programs to save space) The confusing thing is that as far as I know the state BON does not accredit schools, they approve them. The organizations that accredit nursing schools are the NLNAC and CCNE. I just started at the Denver School of Nursing, they are a new school and are very careful in stating that they are not yet accredited, but are approved by the state board of nursing. They are seeking accredidation from an organization like the North Central Association (they can't say which one) and it is my understanding that they will also seek accredidation from one of the nursing school specific ones. So it is about as clear as mud huh? Pat

keland1, You are about right on the Sallie Mae interest rate. You are also right that the program is pretty intense (especially if you are trying to work or have a family) but I think all nursing programs are fairly intense. I do have one idea that could possibly help with the financial aspect. You might try getting a job at a hospital that has a scholarship or tuition reimbursement program. I am working as a patient care tech at a local hospital and they are giving me some pretty substantial finacial aid in exchange for a commitment to work for them as an RN after school. I think most larger hospitals have programs like this, and at least at my facility these programs are available to all employees. Best of luck to you. Pat

Jackie, We get $4.00 per hour for being on call, time and a half if called in, and are paid a minimum of 2 hours. I should mention that I am a tech, not yet a nurse, but the call pay is the same for our nurses. Nurses only do call on weekends from 0800-1400, any other times it is a tech and pts have to be in the ED or ICU, where their nurse can sedate. My understanding is that nurses used to do all of the call and they like this arrangement a lot more. I almost forgot I am in the Denver metro area.

Hi All, My name is Pat and I am in the October BSN class as well. I will try and add what I can to this thread. On the paperwork I have it says that highschool diploma is required only if you do not have a college degree. See you at orientation!

What are these? I haven't heard of them.

This thread is kinda old but I had to give a shout out for Dansko clogs. I work in a GI lab and am on my feet the majority of the time. I don't do well with soft shoes so Crocs and most athletic shoes don't work for me. I have been very happy with my Danskos.

Wow, sounds like a way different dynamic where you are. Where I live EMT's are allowed to function at about the same level as aides, not even close to RN's and Paramedics are pretty limited in what they can do inside a hospital. Once again, sorry to get off the subject. BTW there is another thread called "CNA acting as RN" that has a lot of similar themes, people reading this one might enjoy it as well.

I know this is off the subject, but was anyone else offended by this? EMT's and Paramedics are not fit to work alongside RN's and LPN's. I am not suggesting that RN's and Paramedics are interchangeable, but there is some overlap in their skill sets. Paramedics and EMT's are trained professionals not just "ambulance drivers".

Hi, We just got the Givens small bowel capsule system about a month ago. Only a hand full of cases so far, but we have found a couple of bleeding sites. One of our docs brought in a video about the double balloon device. It sounds pretty amazing. It definitely has the upper hand over the pill cam as far as the ability to treat/biopsy. I'll be interested in hearing from people using it too. Take care

I work in a GI Lab so I meet a lot of people on this or similar meds. I hadn't encountered anyone with an allergy until just the other day, I think it was Prilosec though. I guess it must be rare but that doesn't help you. I'm sure your doc will have some other ideas, there is so much available now for reflux. Best of luck. Pat

Hello, I just joined today, this is my first post. I will be starting the BSN/Upper Division program at DSON in October. I am very interested in hearing about the experiences of current and former students. I work currently work as a tech in a local hospital and talk to nursing students whenever I can. So far I have gotten positive feedback from DSON students. I also got a good feeling when I visited the shool, they seemed to be very upfront about the accredidation issue.