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.
Do those that are in the program feel the 5 week nursing courses are reasonable for the working student? What types of assigments are there for nursing classes? I don't mind papers but I had 17 papers for one course plus quizzes and on line posts. I'm not looking for an easy out but I do need to balance my life a bit.
deltaroxxy2 is much further along than I am and so is in a much better position to provide a credible assessment but the OU program certainly looks doable to me.
NRSE 300 (the first required course) consists of a combination of readings and videos plus a couple of timed quizzes, short responses and short papers. Somewhat time consuming but not particularly difficult. It is an introductory course however and so is probably not all that representative of the courses to follow, but the program is built around the working adult RN and so I wouldn't expect the burden to ratchet up enormously. The "Greetings" letter from the course TA stated that as general rule for the 4 credit RN courses, students should "plan to spend 12 - 14 hours a week" reviewing the on-line course content plus additional time preparing and submitting assignments. This is not a trivial amount of time but should be doable for most working adults. Taking 2 courses each semester may not be however, especially if like me, you're in the office or at the bedside 50 - 60 hours each week in addition to trying to work in family activities.
I've been pretty critical of OU in my past postings and stand by my nearly all of my earlier criticisms. Things are a bit different once in the program however and so far, I'm happy with what I see. The on-line system is fairly easy to work with - though it does have some quirks - and the instructors are approachable. I've had occasion to contact the TA a couple of times already, via e-mail and the on-line Q&A board, and he's responded quickly each time. I've also been able to reach the person in the OU Nursing Program office doing my evaluation and am now convinced that the school is committed to providing a fair and equitable DARS to their RN-BSN students. That said, I think the process takes far too much time - in my case it's been more than 7 months, which I think is unreasonable.
Overall, I'm not only quite pleased with what I've seen of the program but also optimistic about it.
So it sounds like there are a quite a number of instructors for the same courses. Chuckster, I am so glad to hear you're in and pleased. I thought I was going to go for the MSN but time mngt is a big issue. I still find navigating the OU website to be a challenge!
So it sounds like there are a quite a number of instructors for the same courses. Chuckster, I am so glad to hear you're in and pleased. I thought I was going to go for the MSN but time mngt is a big issue. I still find navigating the OU website to be a challenge!
What are you trying to navigate? The class portion is pretty straightforward.
I've called admissions...seems I'm not a matriculated student yet so that should help. Is there some sort of tutorial I can do to learn how to navigate the website before N300 starts? I'm tempted to sign up for 2 classes but afraid to bite off more than I can chew so will likely start with just the one to get the hang of things.
I've called admissions...seems I'm not a matriculated student yet so that should help. Is there some sort of tutorial I can do to learn how to navigate the website before N300 starts? I'm tempted to sign up for 2 classes but afraid to bite off more than I can chew so will likely start with just the one to get the hang of things.
There is an Epic tutorial included in Transitions - it is also included in my current class which is Management Issues. It might be included with all the courses through the Epic player? Epic isn't difficult to manuever at all.
For those of you who filled out the FAFSA and sent it to OU, did your financial aid get processed in time for your start date?
I'm hoping to use a Stafford loan to pay for the initial quarter and then pay it off over the course of several months. But I'm beginning to think financial aid may not be processed in time for my start date.
For those of you who filled out the FAFSA and sent it to OU, did your financial aid get processed in time for your start date?
I'm hoping to use a Stafford loan to pay for the initial quarter and then pay it off over the course of several months. But I'm beginning to think financial aid may not be processed in time for my start date.
There was some letter sent out this summer talking about financial aid - something about financial aid being processed later - sorry, I didn't pay too much attention to it .... I don't qualify for anything, so I am paying for this myself
There was some letter sent out this summer talking about financial aid - something about financial aid being processed later - sorry, I didn't pay too much attention to it .... I don't qualify for anything, so I am paying for this myself
Paying for it myself since I've a PRN employee working PT hrs. The program has already increased 1x since I started in Jan. 2011. Praying that it doesn't increase again anytime soon.
I am in the second session for summer quarter and still have not had my financial aid processed. They said possibly in the next week or so they will have it finished. They continue to blame all the delays on the new program, blah, blah, blah
mtsteelhorse
1,635 Posts
Wow, you're cruisin'...that's excellent! I sure hope the stress level goes down. Life is too short! Thanks again.