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.
I hit a major roadblock with the capstone course. Despite the best efforts, OU and the hospital can't reach a contract agreement for the clinical placement. Now I am on my own to find a new site, and graduation feels incredibly uncertain. The anxiety and stress have been overwhelming.
Based on this experience, I would like to offer some advice. Learn from my mistake and get answers to these questions before selecting the RN to BSN program:
Ask your employer if a contract is required for the capstone project and if they have one with the university.
If a contract is needed and OU is being considered, find out if an agreement is already in place.
If not, ask the workplace which universities they do have existing contracts with. Consider going to these programs instead of OU.
This process will prevent a massive headache. Even if the hospital has a contract with OU, I would still suggest going to other programs. The RN to BSN program at OU is excessively demanding. Other programs offer a less burdensome path to the same degree. Btw, I have 4.0 GPA in the RN to BSN program at OU, and I still would recommend other programs.
Hi,
Did you start the OU classes after your ADN? Do all facilities need to have a specific contract with OU for students to be able to do the capstone project? I've done all but one OU courses during my ADN program in a breeze now, but what is this ground breaking info on the capstone course you're saying? I know nobody who is an OU alumni so that I could even had been aware of this. I'm in California. Contact me directly so I can ask you more questions?
Did you start the OU classes after your ADN? Do all facilities need to have a specific contract with OU for students to be able to do the capstone project? I've done all but one OU courses during my ADN program in a breeze now, but what is this ground breaking info on the capstone course you're saying? I know nobody who is an OU alumni so that I could even had been aware of this. I'm in California. Contact me directly so I can ask you more questions?
Yes, I started OU after ADN. Not all facilities need to have a contract. OU does not require a contract, but most hospitals require a contract. It maybe better to approach home health, long term care, clinics, free clinics, schools, or private practice offices, for these places likely may not require a contract. But, then again, you must ask each place to determine whether they need a contract for you to do a capstone. For example, "can I do my capstone through my volunteer work at your organization? If so, do you need to have a contract?" If it's a private practice offices, they usually don't need one. Then you can submit the form naming the private office as your clinical site. Then, you can register into NRSE 4600 and start your class.
I also know nobody that had attended OU, but they have Facebook groups that you can ask questions from former and current students of the program. On Facebook, search for "Ohio University RN to BSN online-academic outreach initiative" group. There are separate groups for each course of the program, for example, search for "OU NRSE 4600", "OU NRSE 4510" groups. However, nobody in the group had suggested asking their hospitals early on whether they already have an existing contract with OU. Nobody suggests that on top of asking the hospitals, try to approach your primary care physician, your kid's school, local free clinics to do the capstone project. Because if you can find a place that allows you to do your capstone without a contract, then you're in the class. And, it's much easier to get into the class with a place without a contract. You can start the process of getting the contract between your hospital and OU. But, just like me, it took a long time and no contract which left me at square one. Now, I don't even know, I will be able to graduate by the end of the year because of this issue.
Yes, I started OU after ADN. Not all facilities need to have a contract. OU does not require a contract, but most hospitals require a contract. It maybe better to approach home health, long term care, clinics, free clinics, schools, or private practice offices, for these places likely may not require a contract. But, then again, you must ask each place to determine whether they need a contract for you to do a capstone. For example, "can I do my capstone through my volunteer work at your organization? If so, do you need to have a contract?" If it's a private practice offices, they usually don't need one. Then you can submit the form naming the private office as your clinical site. Then, you can register into NRSE 4600 and start your class.
I also know nobody that had attended OU, but they have Facebook groups that you can ask questions from former and current students of the program. On Facebook, search for "Ohio University RN to BSN online-academic outreach initiative" group. There are separate groups for each course of the program, for example, search for "OU NRSE 4600", "OU NRSE 4510" groups. However, nobody in the group had suggested asking their hospitals early on whether they already have an existing contract with OU. Nobody suggests that on top of asking the hospitals, try to approach your primary care physician, your kid's school, local free clinics to do the capstone project. Because if you can find a place that allows you to do your capstone without a contract, then you're in the class. And, it's much easier to get into the class with a place without a contract. You can start the process of getting the contract between your hospital and OU. But, just like me, it took a long time and no contract which left me at square one. Now, I don't even know, I will be able to graduate by the end of the year because of this issue.
Any questions, let me know.
Hold up. So I understand that you can do volunteer work instead of paid work as an ADN (it is my presumtion that you can do either or), but you're saying that you have do the work before even getting into the class?
Or do you mean that if I find a primary care clinic that does not require a contract, I can *then* get into the class easier? In summary you don't need to do the work for the project *before* you even get into the class, correct?
Hold up. So I understand that you can do volunteer work instead of paid work as an ADN (it is my presumtion that you can do either or), but you're saying that you have do the work before even getting into the class?
Or do you mean that if I find a primary care clinic that does not require a contract, I can *then* get into the class easier? In summary you don't need to do the work for the project *before* you even get into the class, correct?
I don't understand what you're asking. I am sorry I thought I was very clear in my last message. What about my last message is unclear?
I completed the program in 2021 and I'm a little confused as to what you're saying. When I was in the program we just had to get a paper signed by our manager that we are working on the approved topic on the unit. I work in women's health and my topic was about proper purewick placement. It was a series of surveys and an in service that I taught to my unit and I wrote up the results. I didn't need to get any special clearance from the hospital. My manager never brought it up. I simply told her I'm in the last class for my BSN and I need to do a project and they would like for you to sign a form to confirm employment. Unless the class format has changed or your project is something that involves patients directly and their data, then I don't see why they would need to go through legal for this unless you are volunteering and not doing the project during work time.
I completed the program in 2021 and I'm a little confused as to what you're saying. When I was in the program we just had to get a paper signed by our manager that we are working on the approved topic on the unit. I work in women's health and my topic was about proper purewick placement. It was a series of surveys and an in service that I taught to my unit and I wrote up the results. I didn't need to get any special clearance from the hospital. My manager never brought it up. I simply told her I'm in the last class for my BSN and I need to do a project and they would like for you to sign a form to confirm employment. Unless the class format has changed or your project is something that involves patients directly and their data, then I don't see why they would need to go through legal for this unless you are volunteering and not doing the project during work time.
When you filled out the preceptor agreement there is a section for you to declare whether an affiliation agreement (AA, contract) between OU and your hospital is needed. OU doesn't require a contract, but if your hospital requires one, then you will fill out an affiliation agreement form. Here is the quote from the preceptor form where you declare whether a contract is needed:
"Clinical Practicum Site Affiliation Agreement Information:
Students and/or Preceptor MUST confirm with the facility if an AA is required and provide contact information for the personnel who verified the information. Please make certain you are contacting the correct person/department at the clinical facility regarding the need for an Affiliation Agreement. This is typically handled through the facility's Human Resources, Clinical Education, or Administration. Verifying only with the preceptor is NOT acceptable. ***Failure to correctly identify and document facility AA needs may result in AUTOMATIC COURSE FAILURE.***"
There is no such form that I can take to my manager to sign. Did your preceptor form have the above quote on the form?
At first, I thought I wouldn't bother with the contract. I will just do the capstone without informing the hospital, and a nurse on the floor is willing to precept me. But, classmate say that OU will contact the hospital to confirm. One classmate declared AA is not needed, and OU contacted her that her hospital requires one and has it in place. So, in her case, she just have to correct the preceptor form to say that AA is needed. Since a contract is in place and current, she is ready to go into the class. In my case, I'm the first person in the hospital that needs a contract with OU so I had to request one. As a result, OU and my hospital cannot come to an agreement. So, I have to look elsewhere.
I wish I could just have my manager sign a form, and I'm in. Did they not ask you whether a contract is needed for you to enroll in the class?
No this is new. Our form didn't look like this. The form on the Facebook group is what we had. It doesn't have that statement on there. She just had to sign it and put it her contact info.
Instead of graduation in Fall 2025, I will have to TRY to get enrolled in Spring 2026. WOW!!!
If you're considering going to Ohio University RN to BSN program, please know that you are on your own getting the contract between Ohio University and the clinical site finalized. It could take 2-3 months with no contract. Then, you will have to look ON YOUR OWN to secure another clinical site!! Many places do not accept non-employee to do capstone at their sites. To volunteer at a school or clinics, the onboarding process could take up to a month, and then however long it takes to get the contract between Ohio U and the site finialized.
Then, you will miss the whole entire semester, and delay the graduation.
lordguillaume
4 Posts
Hi,
Did you start the OU classes after your ADN? Do all facilities need to have a specific contract with OU for students to be able to do the capstone project? I've done all but one OU courses during my ADN program in a breeze now, but what is this ground breaking info on the capstone course you're saying? I know nobody who is an OU alumni so that I could even had been aware of this. I'm in California. Contact me directly so I can ask you more questions?