University of Oklahoma-Accelerated BSN Program

wannabe07 · Mar 8, 2009

For those currently in the program, would you mind telling us applicants statistics about your classmates? Are there younger students in the program or a mix? Is everyone moving on to a new semester or are some having trouble with the work? Is everyone enjoying the program? Were any of the students working in the medical field prior to this program? I'm just curious.. thanks!!!

I am a 3rd semester student (graduate in 4.5 months!). I don't know about the statistics that were in my cohort but a lot of us had really good pre-req grades. The majority of my classmates are in mid 20s-30s, some are over 35 +. Second and third semester are the hardest...some did not pass second semester (pharmacology) so they are taking it over.

In response to the above post about the self-learning, this program is definitely designed for adult-learners. It requires self-discipline and a lot of hard work but it can be done! Many graduates from the first cohort are working on ICU floors etc so the skills required to be a nurse are definitely taught. I heard too that all but one have passed the NCLEX (that one has yet to take it) so that should say something as well.

In regards to lab, first semester skills are run through quickly because they are skills you will do every single day as a nursing student, such as vitals, etc. The really tricky skills such as IV starts will have two days of lab time devoted and there are plenty of open lab hours where you can go in and practice. But I wouldn't worry about the skills as much because as my instructor said last night, any one can do skills, its the critical thinking that is so vital to be a safe and good nurse. Critical thinking will come from actually clinicals and just being involved in patient care.

Many people like the program and some dislike it. I personally love that I can learn on my own time, I don't have to go to lecture and sit and listen to people ask stupid questions, but that is just my opinion. Believe me, third semester there are a lot of workshops so we were required to go to class and hear presentations all day and after that I remembered why I really like this program so much because I don't have to do that every day. I can sit on my comfy couch in my PJs and learn. Its great. And the instructors are very accessible, in OK and here too and some instructors record lectures or podcasts. The clinical instructors are great too. They don't sit and "hold your hand" because we are all adults. I am one year younger than my instructor, LOL. Some nurses on the floor are awesome some are horrible, it just depends what unit you are on and what hospital for that matter.

Hope this helps and good luck! Start in summer...its the best, I think, anyway. 2nd and 3rd are in the longest semesters and 4th won't matter when because its 10 weeks long for all cohorts. Good luck getting accepted!

deevee12 · Mar 9, 2009

Thanks marimoe and wannabe07 for your repsonses and all the wonderful information. It's great to know ahead of time what the program is like.. and I do feel confident that this program will be a great fit for me. I enjoy online classes as I have taken many and do feel disciplined enough to do great in this program. I hope my medical experiences will help me to become a great nurse also. Hopefully the time will pass by quickly so I can see if I'm accepted!

Amanda_SD · Mar 9, 2009

Thank you both for your responses. I loved seeing the two different view points. Like deevee said, I still think this program will be a great fit for me. The big draw was the online classes, and of course being affiliated with Sharp.

It is also great to hear that everyone who took the NCLEX, passed! Wannabee, do you know if all of the graduates were able to get jobs, and if the jobs were with Sharp or other facilities? This was mentioned earlier in the thread, but do you know if Sharp is indeed offering loan repayment to Oklahoma graduates?

Thank you all again very much for your help!

wannabe07 · Mar 9, 2009

Thank you both for your responses. I loved seeing the two different view points. Like deevee said, I still think this program will be a great fit for me. The big draw was the online classes, and of course being affiliated with Sharp.
It is also great to hear that everyone who took the NCLEX, passed! Wannabee, do you know if all of the graduates were able to get jobs, and if the jobs were with Sharp or other facilities? This was mentioned earlier in the thread, but do you know if Sharp is indeed offering loan repayment to Oklahoma graduates?
Thank you all again very much for your help!

I haven't heard the statistics about who got jobs and where but one instructor told us that five were just hired at Memorial (the new hospital) in critical care. Sharp does offer some loan repayment, I don't know much of the details but I have heard it needs to be in an area that is in need. I believe I won't be eligible for it since I want to do NICU and that is a competitive area to get into. But I will find out more as I get closer to graduation.

Amanda_SD · Mar 9, 2009

Oh, that is cool that some were hired into the new hospital. Thank you very much for checking in on this thread and answering our questions. Good luck and I hope you get to work in the NICU!

LnMaR · Apr 6, 2009

Hi all!

Is this thread dead already?

All this information was very informative, but I wanted to ask a personal question.

I currently work M-Th 7a-530p and I was wondering if it would be possible to retain my full time job, while doing this program? I will have Fri - Sun available. Will I be able to choose the weekend for my clinical days and could I choose the days I want to come in to complete labs and tests? Or are these times set by the professor?

I can't afford to quit my job, especially during these times, but I'm so anxious to start this program!

wannabe07 · Apr 6, 2009

Hi all!
Is this thread dead already?
All this information was very informative, but I wanted to ask a personal question.
I currently work M-Th 7a-530p and I was wondering if it would be possible to retain my full time job, while doing this program? I will have Fri - Sun available. Will I be able to choose the weekend for my clinical days and could I choose the days I want to come in to complete labs and tests? Or are these times set by the professor?
I can't afford to quit my job, especially during these times, but I'm so anxious to start this program!

Lab times and exam times are set by professors and you can't change them. I don't know of anyone who is still working full time, most people who have to work have dropped down to half time or only 10 hours a week. My suggestion to you is if you can, quit and just live off loans. I know it sounds horrible but I think working full time and doing this program would be close to impossible, especially once you get further along in the program and have two clinical rotations per week.

Good luck and I hope you make the decision that best fits your life. :)

Amanda_SD · Apr 6, 2009

Hi LnMaR,

I'm still watching this thread, but right now I have already applied and am waiting to hear from the school, so I don't have much to say right now.

Originally I was hoping to keep my full time job, like you, I need the money. However, after reading all of the posts in this thread, I have decided (if I get in) that I will just have to suck it up and live off of loans. I will still try to work at least 10 hours a week, since I have a very flexible job, but the loans will be the majority of my income during school.

Remember too, I think most loans give you a 6 month grace period after you graduate before you have to start paying them back.

Good Luck!

deevee12 · Apr 6, 2009

I'm still watching this thread. I'm waiting to hear of the admission decisions.. Crossing my fingers!!

LnMaR · Apr 8, 2009

Thank you very much for your input. I might have to consider reducing my hours or even quitting. But, then I have to think about my Health benefits. COBRA is sooo expensive! Wow! I'm stuck in the middle. I guess if I won't have money for 14 mons vs more money and stability for the rest of my life....Well, it may be worth it.

What programs are you applying to? I was thinking of applying for the Aug start date, but I may have to hold off until January so I can save more money. I will be applying for Glendale, but it seems most of the ppl on this thread are applying to the SD location.

wannabe07 · Apr 8, 2009

Thank you very much for your input. I might have to consider reducing my hours or even quitting. But, then I have to think about my Health benefits. COBRA is sooo expensive! Wow! I'm stuck in the middle. I guess if I won't have money for 14 mons vs more money and stability for the rest of my life....Well, it may be worth it.
What programs are you applying to? I was thinking of applying for the Aug start date, but I may have to hold off until January so I can save more money. I will be applying for Glendale, but it seems most of the ppl on this thread are applying to the SD location.

You might want to look into student insurance, my classmate has this and its cheap and good enough for 14 months. You are required to have insurance while in school so the admin gave us websites of where we can find cheap insurance while in school.

sdOU2009 · Apr 8, 2009

Hello!

I am just finishing up my second semester. There is no way that anyone could keep a full time job during normal business hours M-F. First semester I had skills lab on Mondays, Community on Tuesdays (only a few days though), Health Assessment on Wednesdays, Pre-clinical on Thursdays, and Clinical on Fridays. The schedule is so random and there is no way to pick and chose. They also don't give you your schedule in advance, for example we got our 2nd semester schedule the day before school started. You pretty much just have to have your slate clear, and be available because there really is no other option.

Most of us are living off of loans, a girl in my group was working full time (nights) as a paramedic during first semester but had to take a leave of absence form her job this semester. She hopes to go back to work 3rd semester but it really all depends on the clinical schedule.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

Best of luck.