NVCC Online Nursing Program

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Aug 16, 2008

Guess it depends on how u learn!! Im going into my second yr at NVCC. Do I get a lot out of the lectures, hard to say,lol I dont ask questions!! One still has to goto school for lab and of course ur clinical, so doing it online, ur only really doing the lecture! I know if I was at home watching the presentation online( usee the exact same power point slides and u hear the prof!!) I probably wouldn't pay all that much attention, but thats me!

Yes there is a pile of reading and only gets worse the 2nd semester,lol

Cilantrophobe · Aug 16, 2008

I know if I was at home watching the presentation online(usee the exact same power point slides and u hear the prof!!) I probably wouldn't pay all that much attention, but thats me!

I knew it was a hybrid course but are you saying that for the students in the online program, they actually have the lectures available for viewing/listening? If so that is pretty cool.

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Aug 16, 2008

For the ONLINE Nursing program, my understanding there is only ONE class that is online, and that the Lecture-which is close to 4 hrs in length! LAB u stil have to goto campus, and of course u have the hospital

For the online lecture, I believe they use a program called Centra. You log on and you see watch the lecture--which is on powerpoint and you can listen to the professor and you can ask questions, thus one of the requirements is that your computer can do this and have a microphone. As well the "lecture" is saved, thus later on you can log back on and listen to it again, the whole thing, or forward to the area you wish! As well I believe you have to log on by a certain time. So if the lecture is for Monday at 0900, you have to log on, as they do take attendance. I know in the traditional program if y amiss more than 3 classes, they say they boot ya,lol not sure if thats true or not.

Your best bet is to contact NVCC 1st yr secretary Mrs Vito and see what the online program entails, do they take attendance? where one takes tests, etc etc. I'm in the traditional program, so the info I posted may be out to lunch,lol

Cilantrophobe · Aug 16, 2008

Thank you so much for the info, that is very informative. I think you are right that I should try to get a picture of exactly how the online program works. I knew that it was a hybrid situation but I wasn't sure exactly how they handled the lecture portion. Sounds like the only benefit is that you get to attend lecture in your PJs from your couch, and not have to drive to school.

Since I still know nothing about how nursing school works can you explain the lab and clinicals situation. I always assumed that lab was what the clinicals were. AND when you are in the traditional program how does the typical week go for a student. When you go to your clinical are you there to simply shadow a RN or are you there in small groups with your instructor?

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Aug 16, 2008

Yes from my understanding the online course ONLY saves you from the inclass lecture--u stay at home (or where ever) and take in the lecture via the computer.

LAB = at campus in a well a lab,lol it tries to mimic a hospital room. There you get hands on experience with the "dummy" dolls One learns the basics prior to doing them on a real person. Basics such as bed making, taking vitals such as taking a pulse, blood pressure, counting breathes, catheter, giving medication. As the course progresses, the difficulty increases. But it gives you a chance to get hands on experience. And one gets tested on some items. First year we were tested on taking BP, pulse, catheter, med passage, IV (not the actual insertion) but figuring out the drip rate and programing the machine. As well the lab i sopen at other time for extra practise!!

CLINICAL = at the hospital or community clinic. Depending where your at, depends what ya do. Starting off you may be at a long term facility, so its morning care--bed baths, taking vitals. some profs pair you up with another student so you dont feel lost, you can feel lost together,lol I think it depends on ur prof, some wil get u to follow a RN, others just assign you to one patient (the first year) And one can stil do a lot with one patient. keep in mind you have a lot of date to get so you can make up the famous "Nursing Plan" lol And yes it can be a bit nerve wrecking at first, but don't be afraid to ask questions.ask, ask ask!! And dont be afraid to do things that one can do once ur tested out, such as catheter. Of course when it comes to passing meds, u can't do those on ur own. Many of the profs state they have to be present, even if the RN says its ok--but thats all briefed about prior. Sometimes you do a lot of watching, sometimes the RN's will grab you and get you to assist, but your prof will brief you, what you can do, and what you can't!! Clinical can be a bit intimidating, but it is fun. Dive in their and do it. Who wants to wipe an ass? I Do, I do,lol the more you do something, the more confidence you will have, so the better you will get.

Typical week for a traditional student:

http://www.nvcc.edu/curcatalog/programs/index.htm#alliedhealth click on Allied Health and Nursing Programs

If you can do classes such as HLT 141 ur PSY's HLT 250, SPD's prior to starting the program, ur laughing, i was able to do that.

So First semester you have:

NUR 111 lecture, about 4 hours. It takes place on ONLY 1 day of the week, for us it was Monday, 2 classes at 1300, and then 2 more started at 1630. I see for this year it is 4 or 4.5 hours.

The one has LAB, which is a few hours in length. Times vary thoughout the week

And clinical. First year ur ASSIGNED clinicals. And if you dont like it, you have to find someone to switch with you.

So you know what day NUR 111 is (say Monday in this case) and you know ur Clinical is on a Wednesday so now you have to fit LAB into an "open" time Sometimes LAB is held prior to the NUR 111 lecture or after. Those slots tend to go fast!!

And if you haven't finished those other classes (HLT 141,HLT 250, etc) you have to fit them in your schedule!

As well lone has to take NUR 150 in either your first or second semester--at least that was our option--things always change. I took it second semester online.

The link I provided shows you what has to be completed each semester. Sometimes they offer classes in the summer between 1st and 2nd yr. This yr they offered NUR 255.

Im starting second yr and here is my schedule

Monday LAB from 1300-1530

THUR Nur 216 lecture from 0900-1245

Clinical First half of semester is on Fridays from 0700-2000 INOVA fairfax(first yr, u only have 8 hrs of clinical, time increases second yr) second half of semester its on Tuesdays from 0700-2000 at fair oaks (some students have 2 clinical days from 0800-1500--but we all get "12" hours of clinical time a week)

Second yr, you can chose your own clinicals from a provided list

Keep in mind the program is ever changing.

Hope this helps

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Aug 17, 2008

oh yes, have NUR 254 this semester as well.

Cilantrophobe · Aug 17, 2008

Thankfully I got the advice to take care of any and all pre- and co-requisites during my very first semester of college last summer. Plus I was lucky to have taken speech through UMUC Asia, while I was stationed in Korea. I have even finished all the requirements to graduate with a general studies degree when I graduate the nursing program. So, when I do start the nursing program, the only classes I will be taking are nursing classes. Fall I have NAS 162 and PSY 202, and Spring I have HLT 141 and 250 as well as PHI 227.

My SDV 101 instructor told me that PHI 227 is the best class to take for those going into the nursing program, for their HUM requirement. What are your thoughs/Is that what you took etc. etc...?

Thanks for all the info about labs and clinicals 'cause I had no idea how that all went down, VERY helpful. I have read nearly every post you have made on here about NVCC.

I met this chick earlier this week after taking the HESI and she was the one who convinced me to try out for the online program, until then I hadn't even considered it but I am really going to go for it. I think I can handle it and the graduation 9 months earlier is a definate selling point.

Now I just need more info on the whole application process and how that goes down. I know you fill out your checklist after fulfilling all the requirements and submit that for approval and then (I think) they give you a list of what to put in your 'portfolio' for the real application review and selection process.

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Aug 17, 2008

last yr when i started the online option was new, BUT they didnt start till JAn. and to be honest I have no clue if itdid start,lol, but I assume it did. The accelerated group started the same time we did, but theyt work out of the Arlington campus, and just go to school/lab/clinical on friday and saturday. As well they go through the summer, where as us traditional people have the summer off, but they graduate in Dec and us in May! I'm older and im enjoying my last summer off,lol

Since the process is competitive, (wasnt for us) I have no clue what the process is. We had that 1 form which one had to accomplish all the objectives, when ya did so, took it into students services so they could look over and verify you had accomplished them, and then they mailed you a package.

PHI 227, yes I took that bioethics course online. Would have been an interesting course except for the prof. We had to write 3 (or was it 4)vpapers and one had to take a stance on the issue (of ur choice) and I felt she marked rather harsh, if she didnt agree with your opinion, even if you had backed it up extremely well. I can PM her name to you. Wasnt a huge work load, but more than many others I have taken. As well there were 3 exams

http://64.233.167.104/custom?q=cache:OiDxlpz358sJ:https://www.nvcc.edu/Medical/health/nursing/forms/Competitive_Admission_Process_8-07.pdf+nursing+program&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us&client=google-coop-np

list what they base the score on for the process.

mama2_3 · Aug 17, 2008

For those of you attending NVCCs nursing program; What are your thoughts on their on line program? I am seriously considering applying for it rather than the traditional program. I have taken several classes on line as well as some on campus and felt as though the classes taken on campus (especially NAS 161) required so much self study that I might as well have taken it on line anyhow. The 4 consecutive terms is very appealing.
From what I have heard Nursing school is a ton of reading and self study. Is that true? Are the lectures good or are they just boring. I heard some teachers either read from the book or off a powerpoint. Is that true? And, do you feel that there is too much information that you got out of lectures that you would have missed on your own, if you were in the online program?
I need the dirt on the whole situation. I don't want to get into the online program and wish I had done the traditional program. I am a 4.0 student (as I should be considering I don't work) and I am very hard working and motivated.
Thanks in advance!

I went for a traditional program this year because I would like to have my summer off next year to give my family a break. However, I do have a long commute to Springfield (sometimes 1.5 h) and online program was very appealing to me too. Keep in mind that during summer semester you will lose a few weeks. You will have to do 16 week course in twelve weeks. I am sure you can do it.

Do not be alarmed that this year was competitive admission. If you have 4.0, do well on HESI, and have many classes already done, you will be just fine. Waiting for acceptance letter is hard even when you know that you most likely got in.

I am sure you already know that you will have to have your background check + drug test ($84), physical with immunizations, TB test, Liability Insurance ($29), CPR (85?), uniform ($59), lab kit ($54), stethoscope, duty shoes and God knows what else.

Good luck!

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Aug 17, 2008

You will spend extra $$ on books,lol Some like the "nursing made easy" series. I like the Reviews & Rationales series that corresponds with the current topic. NCLEX book is good too for questions. Half.com is my best friend!!

I thought of taking the accelerated program, but it was the first yr it had been offered, and I have been on enough military first time courses, and they usually suck,lol as your the guinea pigs. And I didnt feel like bein gin class fridays and saturdays, but thats just me.

Would be interesting to know what the cut off score was for acceptance. I know not everyone got in. The link I posted in the above response shows what classes and HESI the score is based on. Best of luck.

NursingGeek · Aug 17, 2008

I am in the online nursing program. You either love the online lectures or you hate them. I personally find it very difficult to sit through 4 hours of power point slides. I always have to listen to the lectures again at a later time to really get the info.

Some of the profs are good with giving you comprehensive lecture notes (which makes it easier for you to self remediate the information) and some are awful.

I dislike taking all the tests online, because having a paper format test allows you to cross things out, circle things, etc and I am accustomed to that. So I sometimes miss questions because of lack of things like that to be able to do. On the good side, though, you get your test score immediately - the preliminary score at least. Sometimes it gets adjusted later due to questions being reconsidered, but you have a general idea of what your grade is right after taking the test.