Since it seems that there's quite a bit of interest, I'm attempting to start a new thread devoted exclusively to the OU on-line RN-BSN program that will hopefully build on the comments on assorted previous threads.
I'd like to ask nevergonnagiveup, mtsteelhorse and babynurse73 - all of whom (I think) are either already in the program or have applied for admission - to post about their experiences. I just sent in my application and plan to post periodically about relevant issues. If we can populate the thread with good material, it could become a very useful resource for both those considering the OU program and students already in it. Once that happens, I'd hope we could prevail upon the forum moderators to make it a sticky thread.
As indicated, I've only recently applied to the program. So far, I'm happy with the support and information I've gotten. I've been contacted by an OU "enrollment specialist" who was somewhat helpful (I suspect that they have dual roles, one being to provide basic information to prospective students and the other to follow-up with the prospects and help to fill the roster for the program). This person e-mailed me, followed up with a phone call and was able to provide some useful, if basic, information about the program. I also sent a lengthy e-mail to OU with quite a number of specific, detailed questions. This too resulted in both an e-mail and telephone response, this time from an academic advisor in the OU School of Nursing. Again I received some useful and quite helpful information. All in all, my early experience has been pretty positive.
As indicated above, I plan to post about relevant issues that come up as I work my way through the admission and evaluation process. I'd very much like to hear from others about their experience with OU and I'm sure that there will be a lot of interest by others in our collective experience with the program.
Has anyone who is starting the program in January been contacted by admissions yet? I'm still waiting to be notified of acceptance and was curious if anyone else had heard anything. This process is so frustrating, I applied at the beginning of August ( missed the deadline for fall by two days!)
Contact the nursing school directly so you can make sure everything is lined up. Ask to speak to someone to verify you can start in Jan. I wouldn't wait with the date fast approaching.
I want to start my BSN in the Spring. I got my ADN in March of 10' and am ready to start again. I am looking at Indiana Wesleyan but they are very, very expensive compared to OU. The huge advantage is that you don't have to take Organic Chemistry or Statistics- Chemistry scares me the most because I took this is High School and wasn't a big fan. I am planning on looking at University of Phoenix and Kaplan as well. I just don't want to pay an arm and a leg and need my BSN to get anywhere in Nursing....
UoP and Kaplan are spendy, too. Univ of Wesleyan was one of my picks as well. For the money you can't beat OU. You can take some of those icky courses at a community college if you have access. If you're interested in OU I'd recommend you apply ASAP...the process is lengthy...a lot of hurry up and wait but I really like the program. Good luck in your decision process.
I applied at OU and am having my transcripts sent it. I have already been accepted to IWU so maybe I should just stick with them- the program starts April 26th and I could go locally one day a week (Thursday from 9-1pm.) I am wondering if I would do better with live classes than online?
Online classes are not easy. Many of us choose that route because it simply affords us the opportunity to attend school within our chosen time frame rather than a scheduled class format. Is the program online except for one day per week? If the course outline is more to your liking I'd be inclined to do what you're suggesting. OU is reasonably priced but if IWU is less stressful and you can swing it go for it. They were very nice when I spoke with them.
If I went to class one day a week that would be it. I work full time and worry about fitting the class time into my schedule because I work four/ten hour days already and have two kids. Online will probably be more practical for me.
Your life sounds like mine! A lot of OU students have general ed. requirements to fulfill. I still think it's cheaper than many of the other online programs. I think they have a general chemistry requirement and not organic. Good luck with your plans earning your BSN.
This reduces the course total for me from 12 to 11 and gets me out one semester sooner. . .
chuckster, I've been mapping out my courses as well. How do you come up with one semester sooner? Our courses will still be 5 weeks, right? Three 5 week sessions per semester. Are we supposed to contact our adviser or what?
Here's my tentative course map:
1 NRSE 300 Transitions in Nursing (completed 2011 Summer 2)
2 NRSE 414 Cultural Diversity in Nursing (completed 2011 Fall 1)
3 NRSE 325 Health Interventions in Nursing (completed 2011 Fall 2)
I applied at OU and am having my transcripts sent it. I have already been accepted to IWU so maybe I should just stick with them- the program starts April 26th and I could go locally one day a week (Thursday from 9-1pm.) I am wondering if I would do better with live classes than online?
As you've seen in this thread, the admission and evaluation processes at OU leave a lot to be desired. That has to be weighed against the pluses for the school which are (in my opinion), cost (one of the least expensive programs out there), the fairness of the evaluation process (OU works with their students to try and provide the most equitable assessment possible) and the convenience of the on-line program (I'm not a huge fan of on-line but it is definitely a plus to be able to do the work according to your own schedule, not to mention not having to drive somewhere and then sit in a class for several hours straight).
As mtsteelhorse indicated, on-line is no can of corn (a favorite expression of the recently departed Yankee shortstop and announcer, Phil (Scooter) Rizzuto) - there's quite a lot work required, more than is typical of traditional classes but the flexibility is a very reasonable tradeoff. YMMV though. As far as timing, I have to think that even with the interminable OU admission process, you would be able to start reasonably soon, certainly in time for the summer session but possibly as soon as the spring. This would make your start in the worst case only 2 months later than with IWU and with just a bit of luck, at roughly the same time. Again, YMMV.
Best of luck whichever direction you decide to go.
So chuckster, you have 455 for Fall session 3. Does that go into 2013??? Yikes. I thought 2013 would be spring session. I must not understand the new schedule.
So chuckster, you have 455 for Fall session 3. Does that go into 2013??? Yikes. I thought 2013 would be spring session. I must not understand the new schedule.
With the change to semesters in Fall 2012, there are now 3 five-week sessions. I'd guess that the Fall session - and the Spring as well - will now go at least week or two longer to accommodate things. There is no more Winter session, so Fall ends in Dec and Spring starts in Jan (I think). I just hope my reading of the projected course offerings is correct. I have an Excel spreadsheet with all of this laid out that you're welcome to - PM me if you want it.
KellyP78
24 Posts
Has anyone who is starting the program in January been contacted by admissions yet? I'm still waiting to be notified of acceptance and was curious if anyone else had heard anything. This process is so frustrating, I applied at the beginning of August ( missed the deadline for fall by two days!)