Anyone attending OTC in Springfield MO?

labchic · Feb 23, 2009

Hi Ebrownie!! I go to OTC but I'm not in the nursing program....yet. I'm taking my prereqs right now and I'm hoping to go into their nursing program. What about you?

ebrownies123 · Feb 23, 2009

Hi Labchic,

I'm not a student yet. I'm still trying to decide. I'm married with three kids I know it is going to be really tough to be a student too. I've always wanted to be a nurse but I'm really trying to decide if it's going to be worth all the stress it will put on the family to have me in school. Definitely want to go to OTC if I go. It is so much less espensive than the others here. What classes have you taken so far? What have they been like? Can you suggest the best instuctors you've had so far? Would love to hear from you and keep in touch!

Aurora77 · Feb 23, 2009

I'm taking my pre-reqs right now and am hoping to start the LPN program this fall. So far my experience at OTC has been really good. I had some concerns (unfortunately, I had been a bit of a snob when it comes to community colleges), but the coursework has been rigorous and I've learned a lot. I took Intro to Chem last semester and am in the middle of the Anatomy and Physiology class. It's a 6 hour class, so I'm putting a lot of time in. My chem class was at the main campus, the A&P is at Ozark.

Labchic--what classes are you taking? How do you like them? Are you going to apply for this fall too?

ebrownies123 · Feb 24, 2009

Who are the better instructors for basic gen ed classes? Is there anyone you would stear clear of? I am most likely starting my pre reqs in the fall.

labchic · Feb 26, 2009

I've really just begun to start on my pre-reqs. I had some credits from years ago at SMS so I've got my pschology met. Last semester was my first year back in college and I started out taking English online. It was super easy and kind of fun. My instructor was Carolyn Hughes and she was pretty good but it took a long time to have your assignments graded. This semester I'm taking Anatomy 145 and Basic algebra. My anatomy instructor is Morgan Presley and she is pretty good. I'm not doing as well as I should in the class though. I'm barely holding onto a B after not doing so good on a test. Bummer:cry: I hear that anyone getting into OTC's LPN program (it extends to RN too) you have to have basically a 4.0 GPA. I don't think I'm gonna make it, but I'm still going to try to keep plugging away at the pre-reqs and apply to every nursing program in the area.

Aurora I"m only taking two classes at a time so I'm sure I won't be ready for fall. I"m going to try to get pre-reqs for RN programs too, not just the LPN. I've heard good things about OTC's LPN program and when I met with one of their instructors she seemed really nice and upbeat.

ebrownies123 · Feb 27, 2009

Labchic,

How far back were your credits from SMS? I have few but wondering if they are too old. Are the online classes like an online video of the actual classes? How have you liked that and how has if differed from being in an actual classroom?

Thanks

labchic · Feb 28, 2009

My SMS credits are 20 years old and I've been told they will count. I think it's only in the science classes that have to be with in 5 years. When I took English online there weren't any videos to watch...she would just give us reading assignments from the textbooks and then we would post on a forum board comments about the reading. We also had several papers to write. I put alot of work into it but it was fun. I'm taking basic algebra online now and there are little videos to watch and several assignments to turn in each week. It's not too bad. If I have a question I emal the instructor and she gets back with me pretty quickly. I like the freedom of online classes but I'd be afraid to take too difficult of a subject online. I've still got a ways to go before I get my pre-reqs done butI think that if I just keep at it I will eventually get there. Whats your story? If you are thinking about the LPN program at OTC I would try to meet with one of their instructors. I think they just started a night time program for LPN's also....I might be wrong on that though....it might just be for the RN portion.

Aurora77 · Feb 28, 2009

I had several of my pre-reqs (English and Pysch) from my previous degree. I got that 10 years ago and they count towards my new degree.

I took Chem as a hybrid class--the classwork was online and we met weekly for labs. I worked my backside off for that class. I think if I had to do it over again, I'd think seriously about taking it on campus. BUT, I really liked my instructor (Marianne Crocker)--she worked us hard, but definitely wanted us to do well at the same time. I'm taking Bio 120, the 6 hour A&P course right now. It is enough to qualify for the LPN program, but in order to have enough A&P credits for the RN program, I'll have to take A&P II (I think it's Bio 146) my first semester of LPN classes. I'm liking it; it's a ton of memorization. We have our first lab practical Tuesday, so I'm going to be studying all weekend, I think.

I'm planning on taking Nutrition and College Algebra online this summer. I'm not sure how that'll go, but I think I can swing it.

Wow--a nighttime LPN course? I'm going to have to look into that. My biggest worry is about our finances. I'm hoping to go part time at work this fall, so I can concentrate on school, but I'm not sure my employer will go for that. If I could take some classes at night that would be great.

copyandpaste · Jan 2, 2010

Hey, Aurora, I would love to talk to you, Im about to trace your steps in the nursing program, and taking the A&P classes... please email me! I dont have enough posts to email you yet.