nadja9

Yes!!! It is an RN to BSN program, so you need to have your associate degree in nursing (ie SWIC, Lewis & ClarK, Stl. Community College system). There is no application fee, no deadline so you can still get in, and there are no prerequisites other than having your RN or if you are a new grad you need to be eligible to sit for boards. The tuition is really low because there is a special tuition rate for RN's, and if you get reimbursement from your employer, they will defer that specific amount until the end of the semester for you. You can call 1-800-232-7228, ext 6411. Good Luck!!! Nadja

I certainly understand that many private, as well as public, institutions have high tuition costs these days. While this will continue to be a growing concern, it is certainly true in tough economic times. However, there are some institutions that offer surprisingly low tuition comparatively. One place is McKendree University near St. Louis. They do not offer a prelicensure program, but they offer an RN to BSN completion and an MSN with an administrator/manager track as well as a Nurse Educator track. The RN to BSN offers campus sites throughout southern Illinois and Paducah, KY with a one night a week in-class/online option and the MSN can be done online through the E-learning program. Tuition for the RN to BSN is $245 per credit hour - straight tuition NO FEES, and the MSN is $355 per credit hour - NO FEES. It is a private, fully accredited university (CCNE). There is NO application fee. For those that are still getting reimbursement from their employer, McKendree will defer the amount that is deferred until the end of the semester to make it that much easier. Sounds too good to be true but it IS true. You can check it out at http://www.mckendree.edu. Good luck to all searching! And a shout out to my little sister who just started RN school at Southwestern Illinois College!!! Go BECKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You will make a GREEEEEAAAAAT nurse!!!!!! Nadja9

Hey Hospicetec, Let us all know how this is going!!!!!!!!!!!! Tell your lawyers to contact me if you want - I'm what most lawyers consider a "great witness" because of what I do for a living. We are getting ready to file ours, too. Our case is a bit different only because, Tenet, not Devry, owned Chamberlain/DCN at the time. The story, however, is the same. All the best, Nadja

Hi Lesli61, Where I'm at, we don't have a CRNA program. However, in our RN-BSN and MSN programs we have quite a few nurses over 50. Age is just a number - I say GO FOR IT if that's what you want!!!! Best of luck to you, Nadja

I wish I had talked to all of you BEFORE you had this experience. Read some of my old posts. THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM FOR CHAMBERLAIN/DEACONESS.:angryfire I have a lawyer, but we have to fight Tenet, which is the former owner. For those of you with lawyers, my lawyer says I can talk to your lawyers. Bring it on.....I want to help. Hospicetec - I'm calling your lawyer this week.

Hi Hospicetec! Thanks for sending it! I will get you that itemization list tomorrow - I forgot to grab it this morning like a big dope. I can't wait to read what they've sent...... Will probably PM you later.

There are a few others on here, too, that were able to finish. However, there are many who spent lots of money that could never find clinical placement. I don't buy this explanation from Chamberlain that because of program changes, they have to reapprove throught each state board. There has to be much more to this story because they've made changes over the last couple of years without incident. And now, they must pull out of EVERY state but 2???? Very interesting. It sadens me for all students this has affected. I wish you all well. Hang in there!

Just an FYI Chamberlain, formerly Deaconess, no longer offers an online option for LPN. This was stated above, and it's true. They also no longer offer the online ADN for those outside of Missouri or Ohio.

A WORD OF CAUTION: This is a new program - I would be very careful. I would make sure you line up a clinical site BEFORE you spend a dime on this program. I would ask ISU where the clinicals are being done and who is responsible for securing both the site and the preceptor - is it the school or is it YOU? GET THIS IN WRITING!!!! Look at what is going on with Chamberlain (formerly Deaconness) right now (and for the last so many years, just wasn't as widespread). Please, please be careful.

Hospicetec, I'm very sorry to see this happen to you!!! I'm am legally represented as well - Chamberlain did the same thing to us basically (no clinicals) 3 years ago.........I think our attorneys should talk........

To those of you enrolled in this program - I'm very sorry that this has happened. I know all of you paid lots of money for this program, and that this is going to prolong your nursing education. Unfortunately, I'm not surprised by this. I have a lot to share with those who are interested. Feel free to PM me.

I heard you can now do them at Kenneth Hall Regional in East St. Louis. Don't know if that's true or not, but that's what I heard.

dtermineddenise- I wonder if we were in the same classes. My experience with DCN online was pretty much what you listed. You could never get answers, or straight answers, and had the same experience with the clinical issue. NO ONE would take us (liability issues were always cited). I spent 2 semesters there and the 3rd was in the summer which was when we were to start clinicals. We had the same thing offered with the school nurse issue. Ask any nurse in any St. Louis Hospital - that's not a clinical, particularly for ADN level nursing. (school nurse = community health nursing = BSN level stuff) Not to mention some other stuff. I could go on and on. Anyway, I just wanted to put my 2 cents in and to back you up. For anyone who feels compelled to say something about "getting out of it what you put into it" - my GPA was 3.95. Denise, when were you there? Nadja

One thing that increases fatigue greatly is the heat. You may already know this, but I thought I'd throw it out there. My mom has progressive MS, and the heat is her enemy when it comes to her energy level. In the summer, she tries to avoid being outside in the afternoons when the temps are the highest. This is a well documented issue with MS patients, but until my own mother had MS, I wasn't aware of it. Thought you might find this useful, particularly as summer is almost here.

First, define "frivolous lawsuit." In your own words. Second, a lot of information in the "every pt count" interestingly leaves out A LOT. Anyone with good reasoning and analytical skills could ask a TON of questions that would probably shoot a million holes in such weak arguments. By the way, do you know what a mega-judgement is? HINT: You never get one with a "frivolous" lawsuit. THINK about it. Do your RESEARCH of FACTS. The lawyers are NOT the problem. It's funny. So many people love to hate lawyers. Yeah, til they need one.

You too, RIGHT ON!!!!!!!

RIGHT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't agree more.

Hey Jessie girl, Hang in there. Some advice from someone who used to criminal orders of protection for my clients --- When you go to court, dress very appropriately (I know you probably know this, but just hear me out - I've been in court enough to know). Think business attire. The more professional and serious you look, the more credible you become. REMEMBER, you are your own best witness. Hair and makeup done neatly but nothing too flashy. You want to present a picture of someone who has it together, who is intelligent, etc. Remember, that judge doesn't know you, so it is one of the ways you communicate that. Always refer to the judge as "your honor". Be polite, courteous. Be in control of your emotions. I understand that this may be difficult, but it is important. It's okay to cry, but just keep things in check. Hopefully, your attorney has gone over these things with you. But trust me. MANY of my friends are lawyers and judges, and I have done this work personally. And may he get his time in prison and become someone's , uh, shall we say, "person of interest" while he's there.

Hey Scarta, Again, an excellent and insightful post. I pray in time your pain will heal. You make a good point about what kind of people abusers are. They ARE everywhere, at every age, and every type of background. I remember a client who used to get beat and raped and was locked in a basement without windows during the day - she was the wife of a prominent local physician. Perps are doctors, lawyers, cops, carpenters - you name it. And they are never who you think they are because abusers usually present very well to others. Often, they come off as charming, helpful, charismatic, and loving. That's actually part of the hook. I'm sorry you still have so many unanswered questions. You may never have all of the answers you seek, but I would certainly think it beneficial for you to speak with a domestic violence counselor, just so that you can come to a better understanding of what may have been going on with her thinking. I think it might bring you some greater sense of closure. I know you read my other post and saw that it takes an average of 7 times for a victim to leave permanantly. One of the things that may have been going on is that she still may have loved him. I know that is a hard pill to swallow, and it doesn't seem like it could be possible. But abusers are most often presenting as some of the sweetest, loving, attentive, "perfect" men. A woman will often think, "He's so great when he's like this, if I could just get rid of THAT, all I'd be left with is the part of the man I love." As if somehow she could subtract the bad, she'd just be left with the good. Like cutting a bruise out of an apple. The bruise is nasty and ugly and who wants to eat that, but the rest of the apple is still shiny and sweet. I hope that makes sense. Another thing is that women almost always blame themselves for the abuse. After all, the abuser told her she got hit because dinner was 45 minutes late. Why was it late? Where was she that dinner had to be late? Who was she with? What's his name? You can see where this is going. An abuser will always blame the victim. And after time, and to try and avoid the abuse, a woman will see herself at fault. She will come to see herself as someone who provokes these actions. In her mind, she will start saying , " if i don't do (whatever it is), then he won't beat me". She will also falsely believe she can change him - through enough support, understanding, enough love, whatever it is. But no one can ever be perfect, loving enough, etc. for an abuser. He will always find a reason he believes is justification for the damage he does. No one, no woman, cop, judge, no amount of love will end abuse. Only an abuser can end the abuse. Did you know that most abusers don't quit abusing, they just move on to others to abuse. I bet that guy had a history of domestic battery of women. I know you wish with a heavy heart that she would've left him and stayed away. I know it's hard to understand her decision, but just know that there are a million reasons getting out of an abusive relationship is a process. Unfortunately, in this case, someone's life was lost. It breaks my heart a little more knowing she won't be the last. Scarta, you have a message to share and you are obviously bright and intuitive. Perhaps one day you could honor her memory by being a force against domestic violence in some way. Have a great weekend, Nadja PS. Look up some stuff on Sara Buehl. She's an attorney in Texas who put herself through Harvard Law and was a victim of domestic violence. She has an amazing story. I actually met and spoke with her, and she is just amazing.

Wow, Cinnamongirl, where did you work there? I used to work there on 3E, and I LOVED it. A great crew of very helpful, knowledgeable , team playing nurses with great skill. I know, however, there is a particular manager for a certain unit who is awful and consequently, has other awful folks working for her. ???? Gee, Carla, I was going to suggest St. Mary's, particularly if you have had any clinicals. My experience was completely different than Cinnamongirls. What nursing school do you go to?

Scarta105, I am very sorry to hear about what happened to your sister in law. I don't know if you have read much on domestic violence, but you make some astute observations regarding the dynamics of the relationships. Good job. Nadja

Hey Jess, I am so sorry to here that you are going through this. Please feel free to PM me to exchange phone numbers if you like. I'd like to be able to help you, or at least start the process. Right now, I know you are probably feeling unsure of yourself and scared. That's normal. Please know that you are stronger than you think. It's a huge step to start talking about it, and an even bigger step to leave. Did you know it takes a woman an average of 7 times to leave before she leaves permanantly? That's because getting into an abusive relationship is a PROCESS, and often times, so is getting out of one. And that makes sense, doesn't it. No one ever plans on getting involved with a batterer. I never had a client say, "Well, one day I was like, that guy is a total jacka@#, and I want to date HIM!!! I need a man who knows I need a little smackin' around sometimes". You didn't go looking for this, and it's NOT your fault. I bet he was prince charming when you met, and if you have been with him for awhile, I'll bet before the recent incident of strangulation (folks, we choke on a pork chop. when someone has their hands around your throat, it's strangulation) he had been emotionally abusive as well among other things. What is so vitally important right now is SAFETY PLANNING. Please contact your local domestic violence agency, get online at the "family violence prevention fund", or some other site for safety planning. Women are most often injured or killed when they LEAVE, not when they stay. That's because abuse is about power and control, not anger management. When you move, set up a PO box. Try not to leave a trail with your street address, if possible. Get your order of protection, or restraining order, IMMEDIATELY. But remember, it's not a bullet proof vest, it's paper. Yes, it gives you greater recourse legally, but it is not an "end all" for his behavior. You must be vigilant now. And next week. And next month. Beware of any threats by your abuser regarding suicide. They almost never go alone. If for some reason, he gets in where you are, stay in a room with an exit. NEVER GET NEAR OR IN THE BATHROOM!!!! Have a plan of action you reheorifice in your head over and over. NEVER agree to meet him anywhere in private, NO MATTER what he says. If you have personal items still at his or your joint residence, do not attempt to go get your things without a police officer. And no matter how nice, sad, heartbroken, no matter what promises he makes to change, blah blah blah, REMEMBER HIS HANDS AROUND YOUR THROAT and stay strong. I used to tell my clients I could only really guarantee them 2 things - that if they chose to stay in the relationship, the abuse would happen again, and it would get worse. Please get some help soon from a trained domestic violence counselor so you can begin to heal, get your strength up, and have a partner in the process. You have a ton of support here, lots of sisters and brothers who want to see you safe and happy. Let me know if there is anything I can do personally. If you are having trouble finding a domestic violence crisis center in your area, let me know. I will find you help. Peace to you, Nadja

Hey Miranda, EXCELLENT post. As a former domestic violence counselor/professional trainer for healthcare providers who also continues to volunteer in the field, I couldn't have said it better. Nadja

Oh wow. A patient, I am assuming, who never bothered with prenatal care.???

DDierker - Maryville University has a parttime evening/weekend program, but it is fairly expensive. UMSL has quite the waiting list (2+ years), so I would look into some other programs as well. I agree the St. Louis Community College system has a good program (same at Forest Park, Meramac, and Flo Valley). It's good that you are working on your generals right now, I always advise students to do that while they are applying and waiting to get into a nursing program. If you want to do your RN through the STL CC system, be sure to take chemistry. You have to have chem before you get into the nursing program with them. Some other schools to check besides SLU, BJC, UMSL, STLCC, and Maryville are: St. Charles Community College, Jefferson College, and Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey, IL (about 30 minutes from STL). You will not get in anywhere for the fall, most likely. Nursing schools can only take so many students per start, and most are waitlisted. But I would advise taking what you can now (A&P, etc), and get busy applying. If you need info on any programs in the STL metro area, PM me, and I will get you the information.