I'm sorry I have to come out with this, but I am currently a student as DSON and I am tired of seeing other BSNs and previous grads at other schools trying to give DSON a bad rap. Don't knock it until you've tried it.
YES, DSON is expensive...but so are any of the BSN programs, specifically Regis and CU. That goes for the "occupational" schools as well (Concorde, etc.) Any school specializing in a certain area will be more expensive because they have less students than, say, FRCC. I have had experience with FRCC, and took my prereqs there, and the administration is no better there than anywhere else.
YES, DSON is new...very new, and they are obviously still trying to get a handle on their programs. But they have plans to expand it and they are doing the best they can without much support from the state. I really feel like their #1 goal is to help the students reach their goals and keep them abreast of new changes. I would have loved to see FRCC or Regis or even CU in the first two years of their programs. Nobody is perfect in the beginning.
NO, they are not accredited...but most ADN schools aren't (if you go to the State Board of NUsing website at http://www.nlnac.org/Forms/directorySearch.asp you will see that only Otero and Pueblo are accredited at this time). At least DSON is trying to get theirs. It doesn't happen overnight. If you go to most employer sites for nurses, they require graduation from a STATE-APPROVED nursing program, not specifically an accredited one.
There are some problems with administration at DSON, and they don't try to hide it. Many of the teachers truly love teaching and they are knowledgable and helpful; they really know their stuff. Many of them also teach at CU or FRCC.
Overall, I love my classes; I love going to school there and seeing the people that I have become so close to in the last few months. The classes are small; I see the same 28 people every day, and we are all in the same boat. I like the diversity and thoroughness of the program. Most of our teachers are awesome, and I love my clinical instructor. They are interested in making sure we really learn our stuff and become great nurses. I have never had one teacher initimidate us or try to make us feel like we won't succeed. I feel that we are getting a well-rounded, diverse education.
I feel that I really have to support this school. If there was one school I would not recommend it would be FRCC...I took all my prereqs there, and they do not have a care in the world about their students. They just want all the money they can get for a substandard education. And they get a kick out of screwing over their potentional nursing students. I'm glad I didn't wait for them and called DSON.
So to all those of you who are close to graduating or have recently graduated and think that implies that you owe all of us beginning students a "professional" opinion on your part, I say "No thanks." Obviously you do not have an open mind and I feel sorry for your future co-workers who may not have the exemplary education that you feel the need to brag about. We all go to the same clinicals at the same places, and we all take the NCLEX. If I'm looking for advice, I'll ask a real professional..which means someone with integrity who values a good education no matter where it comes from.
And to those students looking to start DSON...good luck! It's challenging, but fun.
