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.

Does anyone know how many proctored tests there are per course?

Specializes in Rehab.
Does anyone know how many proctored tests there are per course?

So far I have not had any in the core nursing courses. Only three more to go I did have two in my nutrition class and took them at my local public library for free.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
Does anyone know how many proctored tests there are per course?

The actual nursing courses do not have proctored exams. Some of the elective courses such as statistics will have them.

Oh wow! That is great! I didn't know exams could be taken at public libraries. That is good to know. I was thinking I needed to go to the local community college. I hope that since the classes have changed to five week classes that there continues to not be proctored tests needed.

So far I have not had any in the core nursing courses. Only three more to go I did have two in my nutrition class and took them at my local public library for free.
Thank you sooo much! I just found out my local library is set up for proctoring and best of all it's free!
Specializes in Operating Room.

All classes are now on Blackboard, not Epic. Mine is not on there either.

My Nutrition class was up last Sunday, and boy am I glad! I have put in soooooo many hours doing the first 5 modules it goes pretty in depth for an Intro to Nutrition class, or atleast I think so. My Nursing class (4510), was posted Friday night around 9:30, and also I am thankful I have got almost the first 2 assignments for week 1 done, I'm happy that they re-visited the APA format because I needed a refresher although I still feel unsure with some of my answers LoL Good Luck everyone! Im taking these two classes together and statistics the next 5 week and I have learned from my mistakes (being this is the 1st online classes for me ever!) that I will not double up again after the next 5 weeks!

Specializes in Critical Care, Trauma, Emergency.

Hi Everyone!

I just started OU's online BSN completion program and am amazed that I made it through the first week. I originally graduated from an AAS nursing program in 1989 and now feel like I've been dropped in a foreign country and can't speak or write the language. I'm taking Nutrition 1000- not bad. The professor gives explict instructions, as well as helpful tips and everything is pretty straight forward. There is quite a bit of information to cover, but it's not awful. The Nursing 4510 class is quite another story... I feel like my head is going to explode. Every time I try to do the readings and assignments/ postings, I feel like a complete idiot. I sit in front of the computer, with that horrible APA manual on my lap- staring alternately at it, the assignment, the TA's instructions (never the same as the instructions in the posted assignment by the way), and the numerous books we're supposed to be reading.Then I start to hyperventilate & shake...Somebody... Anybody... HELP! What is the deal with this APA thing? That APA Manual is riduculous and the volume of information on OWL is overwhelming. My "student success coach" called me once and all she could say was "Oh... Gee...I'm Sorry..." I've asked several friends about APA formatting software. The responses have ranged from "Of course. Get whichever one you want. That's why they exist. Why would you want to struggle so much? It's not about the formatting of the paper. It's about what you write. My school recommends that we use XXX program." -TO- Ushering me into the med room, looking over her shoulder, like the FBI was tailing us: "Noooooooooo. You can't do that. It's against the rules. It's academic misconduct. You'll get expelled. They can telllllllllllllll if you're using one of those." PS- all my friends attend other schools, not OU. Did I mention that I've ended up doing all my postings to the discussion boards 4, 5 or 6 times each? The recommended Mozilla Firefox browser keeps crashing and erasing everything!!!!!!!

I welcome ANY helpful tips that anyone can offer!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks in Advance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Specializes in ICU, step down, dialysis.
Hi Everyone!

I just started OU's online BSN completion program and am amazed that I made it through the first week. I originally graduated from an AAS nursing program in 1989 and now feel like I've been dropped in a foreign country and can't speak or write the language. I'm taking Nutrition 1000- not bad. The professor gives explict instructions, as well as helpful tips and everything is pretty straight forward. There is quite a bit of information to cover, but it's not awful. The Nursing 4510 class is quite another story... I feel like my head is going to explode. Every time I try to do the readings and assignments/ postings, I feel like a complete idiot. I sit in front of the computer, with that horrible APA manual on my lap- staring alternately at it, the assignment, the TA's instructions (never the same as the instructions in the posted assignment by the way), and the numerous books we're supposed to be reading.Then I start to hyperventilate & shake...Somebody... Anybody... HELP! What is the deal with this APA thing? That APA Manual is riduculous and the volume of information on OWL is overwhelming. My "student success coach" called me once and all she could say was "Oh... Gee...I'm Sorry..." I've asked several friends about APA formatting software. The responses have ranged from "Of course. Get whichever one you want. That's why they exist. Why would you want to struggle so much? It's not about the formatting of the paper. It's about what you write. My school recommends that we use XXX program." -TO- Ushering me into the med room, looking over her shoulder, like the FBI was tailing us: "Noooooooooo. You can't do that. It's against the rules. It's academic misconduct. You'll get expelled. They can telllllllllllllll if you're using one of those." PS- all my friends attend other schools, not OU. Did I mention that I've ended up doing all my postings to the discussion boards 4, 5 or 6 times each? The recommended Mozilla Firefox browser keeps crashing and erasing everything!!!!!!!

I welcome ANY helpful tips that anyone can offer!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks in Advance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hang in there! I don't know if it's academic dishonesty to use an apa software, I don't recall reading anywhere that it is. I used it and at first liked it but now I find it annoying and don't use it anymore. It was initially helpful to me because I didn't know MS Word at all when I started the program. Now that I do I'd rather format it myself. I go to Purdue Owl website for APA help and have rarely used the books that were required. I hadn't written a college paper since 1984...it's frustrating at first but stick with it, you'll catch on! And keep in mind too that there is some adjustment from te instructors regarding Blackboard, it's the first time a lot of them are using it.

Shadow....Don't stress out. We've all be there. The first class is rough because you really don't know what to expect. Just joining this forum is huge. You will find a wealth of information on this forum. Check out the subgroups. There is a message board for basically every class. I finished the program in April. I do know that since i've finished, the program has changed. But here are some tips for success:

1. Be organized. Map out what is due each week and on what day. Look ahead but try to only focus on the week you are on.

2. Write all discussions, responses, and paper in a word document. Then copy n paste to discussion board. You should NEVER have to rewrite anything due to lost. And FYI some of those discussion responses can be reused in another class.

3. Write first and look for references later. Some spend way too much time looking for a reference before they've even written anything. Get your thoughts on paper then search references to support what you wrote.

4. All TAs grade different. It is what it is. Best thing you can do is pay attention to what they took off in module 1, and go from there. Don't try to compare TAs. It will just frustrate you and won't benefit you in the end. Also make your TA become your friend. Ask questions early so that if they don't respond you have time to badger them.

5. If the software helps you get it. It's an online class with 100s of students in a class. They don't have time to micro-analyze everything. But if your format is off, don't get mad at the software. I used purdue owl. Worked fine for me.

6. Find someone you trust to read all of your assignments even if they arent in nursing. Had a family member who did a lot of interviewing read all my papers. They had an eye for detail and picked apart stuff that didn't make sense. Was such a big help since I hadn't written a paper in over 10 years.

7. SKIM. You can't read all that stuff so why even try. Look at your guiding questions from your modules for reading and go from there. I didn't read. I'm not a reader and found I retained nothing. I skimmed and took notes. Smart notes that I could refer to easily. Now I know some will tell you to read everything. But that method just didn't work for me.

8. Find some "me" time. Yes you are in school but don't lose your life. It's not worth it and will cause the program to drag on further.

9. And if all else fails, just send me a private message. I'll try my best to help you from jumping off the ledge.

Good Luck!!

Delta...that was an awesome response. Very well stated. Glad to see you are still around to help others who are just beginning their journey. I know you are enjoying life as a BSN graduate.

Delta...that was an awesome response. Very well stated. Glad to see you are still around to help others who are just beginning their journey. I know you are enjoying life as a BSN graduate.

This site helped me so much, I feel obligated to help. Lately I've been meeting a lot of nurses starting OU and the first thing I tell them is to become friendly with this forum!! Hope your doing well.....

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