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.
I'm so glad to find this site. I recently sent my RN-BSN application to OU; post marked June 16th, 2011 and Transcripts post marked June 22nd, 2011. After reading all your posts, I'm curious when I will receive e-mail of acceptance for Sept. 6, 2011 :welcome:. Hope to hear from OU by August .
Yay!!! I recieved my acceptance notification the end of last week (July 25th start)! I honestly was not expecting it until a week or two before the session is to start.
Since all new students have to start off with NRSE 300, is it pertinent that you have your DARS report prior to starting?
Actually, it is. I do not want to enroll in NRSE 300 only find out months later that in order to complete the program, someone has determined that I need to take a plethora of non-nursing prereqs. This would then require that I appeal the decision but of course at that point, I'd already be an OU student and have no leverage. If the appeal was unsuccessful and I determined I'd be better off in another RN-BSN program, I'd have wasted a not inconsiderable sum on tuition for NRSE 300 and perhaps even another course as well if the DARS report isn't available by Sept.
There is no justifiable reason that OU can't provide a DARS report at this stage - they have had all of my records since March. I've transferred schools several times over the years and in every case, have gotten a transcript evaluation prior to enrollment. I'm not sure why this is not the case at OU.
Actually, it is. I do not want to enroll in NRSE 300 only find out months later that in order to complete the program, someone has determined that I need to take a plethora of non-nursing prereqs. This would then require that I appeal the decision but of course at that point, I'd already be an OU student and have no leverage. If the appeal was unsuccessful and I determined I'd be better off in another RN-BSN program, I'd have wasted a not inconsiderable sum on tuition for NRSE 300 and perhaps even another course as well if the DARS report isn't available by Sept.
There is no justifiable reason that OU can't provide a DARS report at this stage - they have had all of my records since March. I've transferred schools several times over the years and in every case, have gotten a transcript evaluation prior to enrollment. I'm not sure why this is not the case at OU.
I guess I don't see the issue for not having the DAR immediately since we all have to take NRSE 300 as our first nursing class. Also, prereq classes are offered in conjunction with the NRSE classes, so you can plan your schedule according. I didn't have my DAR when I first enrolled, but I knew I had to take NRSE 300. Once enrolled, I saw that I needed stats, nutrition, a upper level english, and art. So I've just incorporated those classes into my schedule.
Yes, the DAR is definitely important, but whether you have it now or later, you still have to take NRSE 300, so personally, I'd enroll in that and go from there....
I think what Chuck means is that without his DAR he does not know truly what will be accepted and if they do not accept what he feels is appropriate he may not want to attend their University. Yes, that class may transfer but many university will not accept actual Nursing classes for transfer or they will be very picky about that you have taken. Most universities have your transfer evaluations done long before classes start even places that start more frequently. It does not take rocket science to evaluate and regardless of their computer issues this should be complete before any one ever takes a class. I agree with Chuck would never start classes without one. I have gotten them from universities even before I applied to start!!
I have my DARS report. Nothing in the general ed requirements that is unexpected for me. I have to take a Jr level writing class and need the Tier III requirement, which is the nursing capstone class NRSE 455. What IS surprising .... none of my nursing classes are listed ! LOL ... guess I am NOT an RN !!! Ahhh, a work in progress. Seriously, you will be fine with general graduation requirements. I also have a list of 53 credit hours of "free electives" .... which are credits that don't fit into anything they have ... Social work classes, literature, spanish, etc ...
As to not accepting actual nursing classes to transfer, this is the form from the RN to BSN knowledge center ... and I think it addresses that concern.
I just spoke to them last week and was told as soon as they get thru all the summer session applicants they'll get to the fall people. We should hear from them the first week of august.
BrookeeLou_RN is on-target in her assessment of why the DARS report is important for me. If I get a fair and equitable transcript evaluation, I really should have all of OU’s non-nursing requirements satisfied. If I start the program without knowing if this is case however, I will put myself in a bit of a box. Here’s a recent example that helps illustrate why I think this is the case.
The RN-BSN evaluator at a school that I also applied to and was accepted at (but won’t name here), determined that I needed to take 7 additional non-nursing courses. Among them, were junior/senior level English classes, Statistics and Intro to Psych - though oddly, she accepted my Dev Psych class for which of course, Intro Psych is a pre-req. Why so many courses? Partly, it was because she did not understand the course numbering system used by my alma mater (freshman classes were 001 through 020, sophomore 021 to 099 and 100 and above for Jr/Sr level). Since a number of my advanced English classes were numbered “only” 100 and above, she would give me credit for Freshman English only. The repeat of Psych was because my intro course was called Psych 001 and not Psych 101, so she determined that it was less than a Freshman level course. And even though she admitted that I had 3 statistics courses, since these were at the graduate level, they were deemed too advanced to be considered equivalent to their stat course. She was unmoved in her decisions even I sent copies of the catalog descriptions and had the head of psych department at my alma mater write to her with the explanation.
While this same thing may be unlikely with OU, I want to know about it up front, not after I invested $800 into the Transitions class. While deltaroxxy2 is correct that Transitions is required no matter what and stephparm is correct that it is technically be transferable, I won’t be able to do that if I’m in a program that accepts all of my previous course work (that would put me below the minimum number of credits that all schools require for their RN-BSN programs). So at that point, I either have to suck it up and continue at OU or go elsewhere and absorb the budget hit by having essentially to repeat a “Transitions” course at the new school. It's also a bit disconcerting that at the moment, my DARS report only lists my ADN and MBA colleges & degrees - no mention of my BA.
But really the issue boils down to this: Why can’t OU provide a DARS prior to starting the program? I applied in February and they’ve had all my transcripts since March. The other school I applied to – two weeks after than OU – had my admissions and evaluation done by the end of April.
On a related note, I got another e-mail today from OU congratulating me again on my admission. Has anyone else gotten this? Not sure why it was necessary since it has almost exactly the same info as the admissions e-mail OU sent to me on 22 June. I’d be much happier if they put more energy into getting my DARS done rather than sending out unneeded e-mails.
Does anyone have any updated information on OU's accreditation status? I thought I read that they were up for review this past Spring, but I can't find them listed as approved on either the NLNAC or CCNE web site.
Does anyone have any updated information on OU's accreditation status? I thought I read that they were up for review this past Spring, but I can't find them listed as approved on either the NLNAC or CCNE web site.
Should this be a concern?
This is from their website:
Ohio University's Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing degree program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Also I called and said they are nationally and regionally accredited.
! LOL ... guess I am NOT an RN 
!!! Ahhh, a work in progress. Seriously, you will be fine with general graduation requirements. I also have a list of 53 credit hours of "free electives" .... which are credits that don't fit into anything they have ... Social work classes, literature, spanish, etc ...
Nov2010
34 Posts
Hello everyone,
I'm so glad to find this site. I recently sent my RN-BSN application to OU; post marked June 16th, 2011 and Transcripts post marked June 22nd, 2011. After reading all your posts, I'm curious when I will receive e-mail of acceptance for Sept. 6, 2011 :welcome:. Hope to hear from OU by August
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