OLOL Accelerated Prgrm EJ

U.S.A. Louisiana

Published

Has anyone heard anything about the accelerated program at EJ for the Fall 2009 class? I was wondering when they send out letters, even interview letters? Good luck to everyone!!

Hey guys! I got in too! So excited! Just bummed to hear the grants are over. Gonna start applying to everything. Does anyone know if this program is eligible for federal grants? Since we have degrees I wasnt sure of the Federal grants apply. Gotta fill out my FAFSA soon! If anyone hears about tuition assistance let me know! Looking forward to meeting ya'll!

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:eek: Having just successfully completed the first course, Pharmacology, I thought it might be helpful to post my reality during the past three weeks. I realize everyone is a unique learner, and my experiences are individualized, but I think there is no amount of preparation that can make a significant difference in how you successfully get through the program. I knew the program would be accelerated, but relative to what? First, there is little you can do to prepare for the intensity of the program and the time sacrifice you will make. If you are required to work, either full time or part time, please reconsider your choice of this program. You are completing a semester-long course in 3 weeks, so do the math...it is a backbreaking amount of reading/understanding/memorizing. It was not uncommon to attend class in the morning (most classes for this course were 3-4 hours long each day, and some days there was no class scheduled), and then read/study for 8+ hours afterward. On the days there were no class, I studied the entire day, into the evening. This pace went on daily, even weekends. You have to be an independent learner, and highly disciplined, as the instructors present the information quickly via PowerPoint slides, and it is up to you to learn it on your own. There is no falling behind, then trying to catch up, because the volume of material doesn't ever stop. There is an exam each week, on 20-30 chapters of material. They may finish presenting the material on day 3 or 4, and on day 6 or 7 you have an exam. Simultaneously, you will be enrolled in an online Transition to Accelerated Nursing course, which has numerous reading/research requirements and two standardized (ATI) testing requirements. While an insightful course, this course demands precious time away from studying Pharmacology. Also, you will learn basic dosaging, which requires additional time for practicing problem solving.

It's true - it doesn't matter that you were a high achiever at your prior college or job; all of the tests are based on critical thinking problems that memorizing doesn't always help. You really have to understand the material, the mechanisms of action/adverse affects/nursing interventions for many, many drugs, and that just takes an incredible amount of time to learn. You have to "think like a nurse" on day one. The program is selective - there are few students (if any) who weren't strong students to begin with - but after the first exam, then the second, there were a number of students who were unsure if they would be moving on to the next class. A passing grade is 80 or higher, and once you fail a course, at any point during the program, you are out. You have to be able to move ahead with the rest of the class, and there is no opportunity to repeat a course.

Once you are accepted to the program, try to tie up as many loose ends as possible; try to anticipate things you will need to take care of over the next few months and handle them now. If you can determine the textbooks that are required for Pharmacology in advance (the title can change), purchase the book and try to start skimming the chapters. You may want to consider holding off making too many advanced purchases, like uniforms and books for future classes, just to be certain the program is a good fit for you. Happy Halloween!

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It's very considerate of you to post this to EJ hopefuls. I remember what I went through just wondering what it would all be like and trying to prepare for it. I'm in that program now, too, and just finished Pharm. I agree with all what you just posted.

There are students in our class who work, have small kids, or both. It's all about time management. There is enough time to get a handle on the basic fundamentals, but you really have to be devoted to it and be prepared to be stressed out! If you're really considering going or have already applied, get the Pharm book now and start reading. You'll be glad you did.

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Thankyou kilroy and kitti419 for your posts. I'm starting in January and am so glad to get your advice!

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Were letters of reference required for the OLOL program?

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Yes, three letters of reference were required. You'll want to check their application to make sure that is still the case but I can't imagine that it's changed. if the process is still like it was last winder, you go into the online application (https://www.applyweb.com/apply/ololc/indexa.html) and it tells you everything you need to submit. You can (and should) start the application and then save it, then come back to it and finish it as you get further along in the process.

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I filled out the application for the college and paid the $35. That was just a 2 page form. I'm guessing the application of the program itself comes once I get accepted to the school??

Thanks for the info!!

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The application we will filled out was called the "Application for Admission Professional Clinical Programs." If that was not the application you filled out, you need to call the school admissions office and ask them what to do.

In addition to the usual info requested on application, the application we (those of us who are currently students in the accelerated program) filled out asked for prior health care experience, 3 references, and a personal statement that had to address 5 specific things.

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Hi mell260,

As stated below, the application is online and titled "Application for Admission Professional Clinical Programs". I'm looking at mine right now and it was completed/submitted online, and the printed copy I retained was four pages long...but I think that varies depending on the length of the personal statement you give. The recommendation forms (used by your references) should be online as well, and go ahead and send a copy of your transcripts now, even if you're still completing prereqs.

Then...the most important part of the process...wait, wait, wait...with little/no feedback from OLOL. I think other students would agree that OLOL is not a well-oiled machine, and they apparently missed the memo on "customer service" (if they were a for-profit corporation, I wonder how long they would remain in business). While the admission staff in BR is pleasant (when you can reach them), they are very slow/indifferent to respond. You will get even less info from the program rep here in N.O. I applied online late February, and didn't receive any info/status update/reply until early June, when I recieved an acceptance letter. There was no interview process, so no opportunity to get my questions answered. Admission decisions were made strictly from the ap/transcripts/rec forms. Orientation was in early August. My only source for proactive info during that time was this forum.

FYI, our class was required to take the TEAS/Critical Thinking between orientation and the start of the program. They didn't use the scores against us...apparently they wanted a benchmark to determine who might have problems, etc. They also didn't want us to study for TEAS, but if you poke around online, you can find a few free sites that offer questions, etc. in TEAS format, just to allieviate any anxiety you might have about going in cold. I recall some chatter about TEAS becoming an admission requirement at some future point.

I will continue to post throughout the program, in an effort to be helpful to other prospective students who may be in the dark as I was (and still am).

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Hey everyone, how is the program going at EJ? You will soon be finished. Would you please share your input about what to expect, days, time, clinicals.? much appreciated.

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:):nurse::p:clown::smokin:

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