Ohio University RN-to-BSN Program

Nursing Students Ohio University

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Since it seems that there's quite a bit of interest, I'm attempting to start a new thread devoted exclusively to the OU on-line RN-BSN program that will hopefully build on the comments on assorted previous threads.

I'd like to ask nevergonnagiveup, mtsteelhorse and babynurse73 - all of whom (I think) are either already in the program or have applied for admission - to post about their experiences. I just sent in my application and plan to post periodically about relevant issues. If we can populate the thread with good material, it could become a very useful resource for both those considering the OU program and students already in it. Once that happens, I'd hope we could prevail upon the forum moderators to make it a sticky thread.

As indicated, I've only recently applied to the program. So far, I'm happy with the support and information I've gotten. I've been contacted by an OU "enrollment specialist" who was somewhat helpful (I suspect that they have dual roles, one being to provide basic information to prospective students and the other to follow-up with the prospects and help to fill the roster for the program). This person e-mailed me, followed up with a phone call and was able to provide some useful, if basic, information about the program. I also sent a lengthy e-mail to OU with quite a number of specific, detailed questions. This too resulted in both an e-mail and telephone response, this time from an academic advisor in the OU School of Nursing. Again I received some useful and quite helpful information. All in all, my early experience has been pretty positive.

As indicated above, I plan to post about relevant issues that come up as I work my way through the admission and evaluation process. I'd very much like to hear from others about their experience with OU and I'm sure that there will be a lot of interest by others in our collective experience with the program.

Well, I e-mailed the admissions office re: lack of DARS. Got a reply back that basically said, "Sorry, but you need to contact the RN-to-BSN folks."

*hangs head and weeps*

:banghead:

Guess I will try to e-mail the fill-in advisor again and ask if there's any ETA on a DARS. I know you guys have already been through this, but it's just really bad business practice, you know?

:bluecry1:

Well, I e-mailed the admissions office re: lack of DARS. Got a reply back that basically said, "Sorry, but you need to contact the RN-to-BSN folks."

*hangs head and weeps*

:banghead:

Guess I will try to e-mail the fill-in advisor again and ask if there's any ETA on a DARS. I know you guys have already been through this, but it's just really bad business practice, you know?

:bluecry1:

I think many, if not most us went through the same thing with the DARS. In my case, it was something like 7 - 8 months until I got the final report. What made it more maddening was that I got several interim DARS that indicated I needed to take tons more courses. There was little that mentioned these were interim reports and each time, after contacting the nursing evaluator, the response was: "Don't panic, this is just a system-generated report and we'll go through things manually for the final." I was about halfway through my second course when the final DARS report came and it was a very thorough, very fair evaluation (I either got credit for or was exempted from all of the non-nursing courses).

My impression is that although the DARS process takes far longer than it should, the evaluators really do try their best to make sure you get the most credit possible. I think that you'll find that nearly everyone who's been through the process at OU will second this. By the way, this is not necessarily the case at all colleges. When I applied to OU, I also applied to a school in Texas that advertises heavily on this site. Their admission and evaluation processes were much speedier than Ohio's but they took far fewer of my courses in transfer. They wouldn't even give me credit for basic Psych and English courses because of the numbering system that my alma mater used when I attended - this despite photocopies from catalog describing the courses AND letters from the facultyof the college (an associate dean and a department head) explaining the numbering system.

I understand your anxiety but I really think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the end of the OU evaluation process.

I think many, if not most us went through the same thing with the DARS. In my case, it was something like 7 - 8 months until I got the final report. What made it more maddening was that I got several interim DARS that indicated I needed to take tons more courses. There was little that mentioned these were interim reports and each time, after contacting the nursing evaluator, the response was: "Don't panic, this is just a system-generated report and we'll go through things manually for the final." I was about halfway through my second course when the final DARS report came and it was a very thorough, very fair evaluation (I either got credit for or was exempted from all of the non-nursing courses).

My impression is that although the DARS process takes far longer than it should, the evaluators really do try their best to make sure you get the most credit possible. I think that you'll find that nearly everyone who's been through the process at OU will second this. By the way, this is not necessarily the case at all colleges. When I applied to OU, I also applied to a school in Texas that advertises heavily on this site. Their admission and evaluation processes were much speedier than Ohio's but they took far fewer of my courses in transfer. They wouldn't even give me credit for basic Psych and English courses because of the numbering system that my alma mater used when I attended - this despite photocopies from catalog describing the courses AND letters from the facultyof the college (an associate dean and a department head) explaining the numbering system.

I understand your anxiety but I really think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the end of the OU evaluation process.

Yep, it has been seven months for me, three classes in, and not even a preliminary DARS. I e-mailed my interim advisor (I guess that's what I'm calling her?) and I was very pleasant; just asked if I could get an accurate timeframe on when it might be done. I did express that I was frustrated and concerned but said I know they are busy. I definitely don't want to come across as a bugaboo, but I've really only e-mailed them one other time, I think. I'll let you all know what I find out.

Thanks for the response; I'm hanging in there! :yawn:

I just had e-mailed my TA regarding my question of having to address all 16 standards and this is the answer I received:

"Hello,

Summarize any standards that relate to your practice. You may chose a couple laws and summarize how they relate to your practice-is your practice consistent with the laws or does your practice need adjustments or improvements?"

I got a similar response:

The key word is summarize, look at all that is being asked and see common themes and common examples that can apply to all . . . the page limit is set so that you are succinct in your statements. . . . there are numerous student in each section and grades for assignments need to be returned in a timely manner . . . it helps [the instructor] if you stick the requirements set before you. I know it maybe hard but use your rubric and your instructions as your guide and ask yourself while writing am I getting to the heart of what is being asked.
Specializes in Critical Care.
I got a similar response:
I was able to complete my assignment within 6 pages including the cover page and reference page and my TA said that it would be fine.

I have 7 pages including the cover, body and 2 reference pages ... but I am just about to start the revision process. Need to take somethings out, add some others - should be around the same length when I am done.

2 reference pages? that's a lot of references....

So the legal paper really isnt THAT bad, it's just a LOT of examples! But 2 reference pages......... WOW!

Rninme…Be careful having too much info and not staying on the amount of pages they require. Some TA's, not all will take off a lot of points for that. And I would definitely reduce the amount of reference. I got a 100 on that paper and I think I had 4 references.

does sound like a lot but .. I used the ANA book, the ENA standards, our text, a couple of Maine statutes, and a couple of Laws from the BON, I am certified in Emergency Nursing - used the BCEN info. ANA-Maine and a online Nursing standards from the legal perspective. My paper is 4 pages long. I just tend to cite to back up what I have written.

Deltaroxxy - how did you get away with just 4 reference? Did you do a general reference for your state practice act and BON rules and regs? I thought about it .... then thought I had better cite it correctly. Our letter from our TA went through a whole spiel about citations ... covering my keister

Specializes in ED.
I have 7 pages including the cover, body and 2 reference pages ... but I am just about to start the revision process. Need to take somethings out, add some others - should be around the same length when I am done.

I'm finally getting to the reading for this assignment and hope to do the paper on Saturday/Sunday before I work. I had to drag myself back to the computer after being on break for so long. Then, I decided to start with statistics and Family Nursing stuff first. Glad to hear I don't have to address every single thing, just the ones that are pertinent. It's just 5 weeks...I can do this for just 5 weeks!

does sound like a lot but .. I used the ANA book, the ENA standards, our text, a couple of Maine statutes, and a couple of Laws from the BON, I am certified in Emergency Nursing - used the BCEN info. ANA-Maine and a online Nursing standards from the legal perspective. My paper is 4 pages long. I just tend to cite to back up what I have written.

Deltaroxxy - how did you get away with just 4 reference? Did you do a general reference for your state practice act and BON rules and regs? I thought about it .... then thought I had better cite it correctly. Our letter from our TA went through a whole spiel about citations ... covering my keister

Looking at my paper now…I did ANA, my hospital, the Ohio Board of Nursing, and the Ohio Nurses Association. The body of my paper was 3.5pages. I summarized a lot. I was straight and to the point. I was long winded before and got slammed on points, so for me it was a lesson learned. My ethics TA was looking for content and not a lot of fluff/fillers (she was probably like me and hated to read…LOL).

Good Luck!!

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