Accelerated 2nd Degree-Oakland University

TLC RN · Jan 22, 2007

I finished the program May 06. I was part of the first class to do the program. It was unorganized at times but we made it! I liked how they did classes for 5 weeks and then a block of clinical days. Doing a few clinical days in a row allowed you to get some sense of a routine down. That helped with my transition to real nursing I think.

As for the prereqs...I took Patho with Dr Jackson. She was really really hard but entertaining. Pharm with Vallie. She is super nice but I think was kinda light on what she expected you to know for pharm. Nutrition was easy I took it online with Dr Moore.

The program is intensive in the time and stamina you need to complete it but it is doable.

Feel free to ask me anymore questions.

BerthaRN · Jan 28, 2007

I have applied there for the Spring 2007 program, but there isn't much room left. They are however now offering a fall program with Oakwaood hospital in Dearborn. Thus, if I don't get in in the spring, hopefully I will the fall. OU has rolling enrollment. Rolling enrollment also means for you Nicole, get the pre-reqs that they base your gpa on out of the way first....and as soon as those are complete put in your application. They already accepted students for this spring program last fall, with super low GPA's kind of on a first come first serve basis. It was because those people had their pre-req gpa classes done...and just had to take the other classes (microbilogy, life span, and the three NRS classes). I didn't have mine all done yet because I still had to take A & P in the fall...thus I am still waiting to hear. Oh well, I honestly think they have done a great job rolling students through that program, and they seem the most "student friendly" as far as entry requirements. I have Sally O'Meara for Patho and Pharm. she is wonderful. My friends have Saltzman for Phar. and they are struggling (alot more work and harder tests). Any classes you take I recommend ratemyprofesor.com....you will not go wrong following teacher ratings. I have used that site as a shopping list for prof's and it has paid off:).

TLC RN...I would love to hear about your experience. Did you feel prepared when you graduated? And you really felt it was doable, I have been so nervous about it;)? How easy was it to find a job? Oh, did you do the St. John's program? I so wanted into that this year, well, I am still hoping:).

Take care!

TLC RN · Jan 28, 2007

TLC RN...I would love to hear about your experience. Did you feel prepared when you graduated? And you really felt it was doable, I have been so nervous about it;)? How easy was it to find a job? Oh, did you do the St. John's program? I so wanted into that this year, well, I am still hoping:).
Take care!

I felt prepared leaving school. The program is totally doable if you are organized and set priorities. I put in about 4-6 hours a night a week studying. After the first semester, I started working out about 1 - 2 hours per day too. I did not go out as much as I used too but could have made more time to do that if I wanted. I think if you are flexible and have a positive attitude you will do much better in the program.

It was very easy to find a job. Most everyone had a job by the time we finished school. I went into a critical care internship and have been working in a ICU. I have since applied to grad school and will be starting this fall. I did the program at Macomb. I have a friend who is doing the program at St John and she seems to like it.

PM or email me if you have any specific questions and I can try to answer them.

TLC RN

7-7-2004 · Jan 29, 2007

I'm considering a second degree accelerated program and found this info so helpful. I had a few more questions...

How many days per week is the program?

Is it only during the day, or is there an option to take classes in the evening?

Did you say you had to study 4-6 hours per day or week?

I thought I read something on their website about doing your program through a certain hospital where more help is needed, and in return your tuition is paid or partially paid??? Do you know anything about that?

Do you have to go to the Oakland campus for all the classes or are there other sites? I live in Monroe, so it would be a hike.

If anyone can help, I would greatly appreciate it!

BerthaRN · Jan 29, 2007

I haven't been through it yet...but I have a schedule example that the school gave me. It is only offered during the day. 5 days a week.

I know OU has offered a couple programs that offer loan forgiveness if you agree to work for the sponsoring hospital for a certain length of time (I have no idea how long).

I am definitely pro-OU because they seem to be the most accomodating, atleast for me. And they offer the program more frequently than any other college.

Good luck:)

TLC RN · Jan 29, 2007

How many days per week is the program?

Usually 5 days. But I did have clinical on the weekend and during the evening. You have to have the ability to be flexible.

Is it only during the day, or is there an option to take classes in the evening?

Most of the classes are during the day. Sometimes clinical run 7a-7:30P or 3-11:30

Did you say you had to study 4-6 hours per day or week?

I studied 4-6 hours per day average.

I thought I read something on their website about doing your program through a certain hospital where more help is needed, and in return your tuition is paid or partially paid??? Do you know anything about that?

I think that is the program at St John Conner Creek. You can get a work sponsorship for signing on to work with them after you graduate.

Do you have to go to the Oakland campus for all the classes or are there other sites? I live in Monroe, so it would be a hike.

I did the program at Macomb campus. We did go to OU Rochester campus for one class but spent most of the time at the campus next to Macomb Community College. They also have the cohort at St John Connor Creek which is on the east side of Detroit I think. I heard they MAY have a cohort starting at OU but that was not from anyone at the school. Have you looked at schools in Toledo? Are there any options there?

Hope this helps & good luck!

thyme39 · Oct 12, 2007

I'm considering a second degree accelerated program and found this info so helpful. I had a few more questions...
How many days per week is the program?
Is it only during the day, or is there an option to take classes in the evening?
Did you say you had to study 4-6 hours per day or week?
I thought I read something on their website about doing your program through a certain hospital where more help is needed, and in return your tuition is paid or partially paid??? Do you know anything about that?
Do you have to go to the Oakland campus for all the classes or are there other sites? I live in Monroe, so it would be a hike.
If anyone can help, I would greatly appreciate it!

I am in OUs program now. It's been awhile since you wrote this but maybe what i say will help others. The other poster answered your questions correctly. I will just add - 4-6 hrs/day average is right. But I don't do it every day. I am the kind who takes off a day and then studies all day the next day so it's hard to tell though. St John has loan forgiveness as some of the other hospitals around. You roughly get "forgiven" $2000 per year of work. The St. John Conner Creek people have the option of taking a loan of up to $10,000 from St. Johns. If you decide not to go work for St. Johns, you pay the money back. Some of the students have borrowed, some have not. Monroe would still be far from Conner Creek which is in east detroit, 8 mile and van dyke area. Our classes are usually mon and fri 8-12. Sometimes we have classes for 3 days a week. Next month we have a couple of 5 days a week classes. However, that is unusual because you need time for your clinicals, which are 2 or 3 days a week. I had my first clinicals on tues, wed, thurs the first semester, 2nd semester on tues, wed one month and then on wed, sat the other month and tues wed the last 2 months. Haven't gotten my clinical assignments for the winter so not sure what they will be. You have to be very flexible. OU started an accel. BSN pgm this fall (07) with Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn. That would be the closest to you and really not that bad of a drive. We have people coming to Conner Creek from Waterford, Rochester, Taylor, and one person just moved back home to saginaw so he will be coming from there. It can be a hike but it is for only 12 months. We are the 3rd class at Conner Creek. It can be somewhat disorganized but so far it hasn't been too bad. We never feel like we have enough time but I think that is the nature of nursing programs and more so with the accel. pgms. I would recommend OU. I think its a good program. (I think any of all of the accel pgms in MI are pretty good) It's the only school I know of that has rolling enrollment. Meaning, If you apply and there aren't enough spots, you get bumped automatically to the next one, so at least you are sure you will get in. OU does 3 pgms a year, one starting in spring, fall, and winter.

jnr1183 · Jan 2, 2008

I thought OU only offered the Accelerated BSN program in May. Is this correct?

I would be thrilled if I could start earlier than May '09! :)

HNursing · Jan 5, 2008

Thanks for sharing.... I am about to graduate from Oakland. I want to know about the ATI. I heard many people who took it say it is hard. I want to know how you prepare for it?

alltsonm · Jan 6, 2008

The comprehensive ATI is not a big deal if you have done well with each ATI all along. If that is the case, you have already found out what works for you. For me and for many, we used Saunders Q & A NCLEX-RN as a practice tool.

Just keep the book with you and practice a bunch of questions every time you have a moment.

HNursing · Jan 7, 2008

Does anyone heard from others that did not pass the ATI and what happen afterward?