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've been researching OU's program and have some questions, but I can't find the answer . Does anyone know how long it would take to finish the program in terms of years and months, if you only need the 12 nursing courses? When it says double up on the courses does that mean 2 courses every 5 weeks, is that doable? or 2 courses in 10 weeks?
Thanks
It means 2 courses at once during each 5 week term. So, yeah 2 courses every 5 weeks and 4 every 10 weeks. One at a time would be one course every 5 week session, so 2 every 10 weeks.
If you only have the 12 nursing courses to take, and you double up, your schedule would look like this: NURS 300 the first 5-week session, then two classes each for 5 consecutive 5-week sessions, and then the capstone for a 5-week session (300 and the capstone have to be taken by themselves). So, the fastest you can complete the program is 7 5-week sessions, which comes out to be a little under a full calendar year.
Keep in mind, however, that the october start date will be your last chance to complete the program full time and have that schedule guaranteed. Ohio University is switching from quarters to semesters in fall 2012, so the summer 2012 second 5-week session will be the last time nursing courses are offered on the quarter system. I do not know how the nursing school is going to make the transition, but count on it to be rocky. I do not envy those who start on the quarter system and have to finish on semesters. I bet there are tons of delays.
Keep in mind, however, that the october start date will be your last chance to complete the program full time and have that schedule guaranteed. Ohio University is switching from quarters to semesters in fall 2012, so the summer 2012 second 5-week session will be the last time nursing courses are offered on the quarter system. I do not know how the nursing school is going to make the transition, but count on it to be rocky. I do not envy those who start on the quarter system and have to finish on semesters. I bet there are tons of delays.
I thought I was pretty good at sifting through the OU website for info but I wasn't aware of this. That said, with 5-week courses, the on-line program seems not to be on either the semester or quarter system. Does the change mean that they will be switching to 10-week courses?
I'm starting Transistions next week but because of work and travel, will probably be limited to one course per each five week stretch. Assuming that I have only the 12 nursing courses in the RN-BSN curriculum to take (which of course I won't know for sure until I get a DARS) and assuming no breaks, I could be done in September of next year. Does this mean that my last course might be on the new semester format? If that's the case, it might make sense to take the pain and double up at some point.
I thought I was pretty good at sifting through the OU website for info but I wasn't aware of this. That said, with 5-week courses, the on-line program seems not to be on either the semester or quarter system. Does the change mean that they will be switching to 10-week courses?
I'm starting Transistions next week but because of work and travel, will probably be limited to one course per each five week stretch. Assuming that I have only the 12 nursing courses in the RN-BSN curriculum to take (which of course I won't know for sure until I get a DARS) and assuming no breaks, I could be done in September of next year. Does this mean that my last course might be on the new semester format? If that's the case, it might make sense to take the pain and double up at some point.
It seems that the nursing courses for the online program will not be affected by the conversion to semesters from what I've been told.
I have been in the program since Jan 2011 and haven't heard of a switch from the 5wk online program. I would be interested to read how the online program will be affected.
I also double up on classes. Would highly recommend if you have a flexible schedule.
I thought I was pretty good at sifting through the OU website for info but I wasn't aware of this. That said, with 5-week courses, the on-line program seems not to be on either the semester or quarter system. Does the change mean that they will be switching to 10-week courses?
As for the nursing program specifically, they do indeed follow the university-wide quarter calendar. Each 5-week session is considered to be half of one OU quarter, and the starting and ending dates are mapped to OU's quarter calendar.
For example, Ohio University's fall quarter runs from September 5 to November 22.
The nursing courses for fall quarter are divided into two sessions: Fall I and Fall II.
Fall I is the first 5-week session and runs from September 5 - October 17th.
Fall II is the second 5 week session and runs from October 17th to November 22nd.
Both fall sessions back-to-back overlap with fall quarter.
The same is true of winter, spring, and summer quarters. Each quarter is split into session I and session II.
Fall 2012 will be the first semester, and will run from late August to December. They will have to at minimum redo the credit hours for the courses so each course will have a semester hour credit value. Since 4 quarter hours is 2.667 semester hours, what I'm hoping they do is make each course 3 semester hours, and then split the fall semester in half (two 7.5 week sessions) and make fall I and fall II. That would make too much sense though.
Thanks for all the info. If semesters are 16 weeks, then maybe you would be able to take 3 5wk courses a semester or more, and get done sooner? Just wondering...
I registered for NRSE 300 for the second summer session (starts Mon 25 July) about 10 days ago and got my EPIC logon info via the CatMail system this past Weds. With the logons, I was able to access my section of NRSE 300 which is already populated with most of the course info. I tried to access the OU on-line library but that is not yet open for my logon - I assume this happens later in the course.
The EPIC system seems to be fairly easy to navigate through, especially for someone like me who's used to seeing business computer applications that are absolute nightmares. Though I've take a lot of courses over the years, with only one exception, they've all been the traditional classroom type. The exception was a "remote learning" course that did not have a classroom component. The course content was delivered in the school library via VHS tapes of previous lectures and you reported to a proctored room for the tests. So this will be my first truly on-line course - with at least 11 more to go.
For those of you about to start the program, after Transitions, I would suggest your look into renting books. A lot of the books are rather expensive and since the classes are only 5wks, paying that much seems pointless.
My 2 favorite places to rent are ecampus.com and bookrenter.com And if you do a search, there is always a coupon available.
Thanks for all the great infomation on this thread!!! I am looking forward to starting NRSE 300 on Monday. I have been working on the orientation module, and it looks like I get to repeat it as module 1 of the course.
chuckster- looking foreward to "seeing" you in class
deltaroxxy2- I think I remember seeing where you mentioned testing out of Health Appraisal and I had a couple of questions. Are you offered this option only after registering for the class? I have spent a lot of time looking over OU's website and do not recall seeing the ability to test out mentioned there. How much time did you dedicate to studying the recommended text prior to testing? I am thinking I will order the books and take some of the other core classes before registering for that class.
Thanks for all the great infomation on this thread!!! I am looking forward to starting NRSE 300 on Monday. I have been working on the orientation module, and it looks like I get to repeat it as module 1 of the course.
chuckster- looking foreward to "seeing" you in class
deltaroxxy2- I think I remember seeing where you mentioned testing out of Health Appraisal and I had a couple of questions. Are you offered this option only after registering for the class? I have spent a lot of time looking over OU's website and do not recall seeing the ability to test out mentioned there. How much time did you dedicate to studying the recommended text prior to testing? I am thinking I will order the books and take some of the other core classes before registering for that class.
Yes...You are only offered this option AFTER you have enrolled into the class. Once the class opens, you have like 2-3 days to take. The teacher will send all those enrolled an email in advance to inform them of this option. She will then inform you to begin reviewing ANY assessment book you have. Must score a 75 or higher to opt out of taking the class. For my test, there were 5 points given due to test error.
I spent about a week reviewing my assessment book. I had TONS of questions on HEENT. I barely skimmed that section, so I did a lot of educated guessing on those questions. You have 2hrs to take the test and I hit submit with 1sec left.
I also took a lot of quizzlet (online site) exams in preparation.
UGADawgs
64 Posts
It means 2 courses at once during each 5 week term. So, yeah 2 courses every 5 weeks and 4 every 10 weeks. One at a time would be one course every 5 week session, so 2 every 10 weeks.
If you only have the 12 nursing courses to take, and you double up, your schedule would look like this: NURS 300 the first 5-week session, then two classes each for 5 consecutive 5-week sessions, and then the capstone for a 5-week session (300 and the capstone have to be taken by themselves). So, the fastest you can complete the program is 7 5-week sessions, which comes out to be a little under a full calendar year.
Keep in mind, however, that the october start date will be your last chance to complete the program full time and have that schedule guaranteed. Ohio University is switching from quarters to semesters in fall 2012, so the summer 2012 second 5-week session will be the last time nursing courses are offered on the quarter system. I do not know how the nursing school is going to make the transition, but count on it to be rocky. I do not envy those who start on the quarter system and have to finish on semesters. I bet there are tons of delays.