Meanmaryjean - question regarding MSN capstone and IRB

[klone, MSN, RN]

And timelines, etc. My next term starts in June, and I am planning ahead. I will have Lit Review for Nsg Research (SKT2), Research proposal (SQT2), Oral Defense, and Written project.

I'm thinking that if it were a simple project that I want to do, I should be able to get all of this done, including time for IRB approval process, in the entire 6-month term. However, what I have in mind is a randomized case, control study on the benefits/effects of prenatal education. I would need to recruit women, provide a specific type of education to the "case" group at around 34-36 weeks gestation, and then follow up with them at around 6 weeks postpartum. So by the design of the study itself, I need AT LEAST 16-18 weeks to conduct the study and do the data collection. And that also means that I probably won't have more than an n=20.

I guess my questions are, I realize that I have to finish the first two classes before I can even submit to the IRB - how long does it take for approval to happen? My IRB would be through our local university medical school/hospital system, and the benefit is that I would be submitting in the summer, when school is not in session, so presumably there won't be a lot of research proposals they have to wade through.

I'm just wondering the feasibility of being able to complete the first two classes, get IRB approval, conduct my research, and then write a thesis on it, all in 6 months.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.