I started one through the local university and am signed up for 18 hrs. (though I tested out of one of the courses.) I just wonder if it's culture shock and I will eventually get the hang of it, but I'm not having much fun right now. It seems like a lot of the assignments are vague or subjective and it's hard to know if you're giving them the answer they expect.
Does anyone have words of wisdom to share? I got a pell grant but it only paid for half and I had to come up with the other half of the tuition (about $4,000) plus buy books. I feel spent to death and I hate to mess up on these classes.
Yesterday, I spent four hours on an assignment and got logged out. When I tried to log back in the screen went blank and I lost it all. I wanted to pack it up right then. I did get it retyped but I don't think it was as good as the first copy.
I'm currently enrolled in UOP Online and am supposed to start at the end of September if I can get my financial aid stuff straight. My hubby and I were pretty much forced to file bankruptcy early last year, so the court has to approve any loans I want to apply for. We've already petitioned the court and are waiting to hear back. We filed a chapter 13, not a 7, so hopefully they will approve the loan.
I very recently resigned from my job; my new boss refused to work with me on my hours and I was pretty much forced to resign. So I'm trying hard and fast to find another job...the BSN program requires you to have a job as your clinicals are through whatever job you have.
I haven't been to any kind of school since 1995, so I'm very apprehensive and I've heard online classes are really hard. I also want my Master's and the enrollment representative I spoke with at UOP said they could "fast track me" whatever that really means to my MSN as well. I'm hoping to either teach nursing or become an NP specializing in gerontology/geriatrics. Since I have a one year old I thought this was the best way to go. I can do my classes on my own time etc. It is quite expensive but I feel it is a good choice for me.
I'm in an online RN to BSN program through Fort Hays State University. I think it is one of the cheapest out there, less than $200 a credit hour for in state. Clinicals are near the end of the program. It is fully accredited; while many of my classmates are from Kansas, there are several from other areas of the country. It is self paced in the sense that there is no set classes each semester--you can take pretty much as much time as you need to work your way through the program (within reason, of course).
I agree with the statement that sometimes things seem very vague in the instructions. I think, however, that is my own little issue; I like to talk things out. I'm probably more of a verbal type of learner. I'm new to Blackboard, too, and I think once I get a little more experience with it, I'll do better.
I also think that 18 hours is a very heavy load! Full time is a minimum of 12 hrs at most universities. If you have a family and work full time, I can see how that is really difficult for you.
I'm struggling through the same pain you are! Except I'm only PT with 9-10 hours a semester. Still expensive, although work will reimburse some of that. I wish they would pay it upfront, this poor nurse is feeling it financially .
I've had stuff disappear, too. Most frustrating. Blackboard times us out much too quickly. I've learned to write everything up--even online discussions--on word, then copy it to the discussion, homework, whatever. I definitely learned the hard way, though--the second write-up never feels as good.
I'm struggling with balancing school, full-time work and family. Hopefully, I'll get on track soon, but I know I'll be up very late tonight finishing things up. Ugh.
People shake their heads when they find out I'm taking this kind of load, taking care of four children and working full-time. I almost feel like they are either looking at me with disdain or they don't believe me when I tell them.
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suni, BSN, RN
477 Posts
I did my BSN online from UOP and w hile they are expensive they had great tech support