Oklahoma City University

sjt9721, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2006

Ya'll might already know this, but they no longer require a separate application to their nursing school and they don't have a waiting list, so they are accepting all students who meet their requirements, even those who wish to obtain a MSN. It cost an arm and a leg to go to school there, but there's no waiting list and 100% NCLEX pass rate.
http://www.okcu.edu/nursing/

I went there a million years ago.

Financial aid (including scholarships & loans) made OCU the right choice for me. I ended up paying less than I would have at OU! Smaller classes, collegial instructors, and great clinical sites were extra perks.

SJT

Class of '94

LanaBanana · Aug 14, 2006

I wonder how they can open up that many classes? It sounds good though. I went to their webpage and I might consider the RN-BSN even though it would mean driving to OKC 1 day a week. Wonder if that 1 day is a Saturday? That's what a lot of schools are doing. It's good to have options! And good for them for helping students get where they want to be!

SweetieRN · Sep 30, 2006

I wonder how they can open up that many classes? It sounds good though. I went to their webpage and I might consider the RN-BSN even though it would mean driving to OKC 1 day a week. Wonder if that 1 day is a Saturday? That's what a lot of schools are doing. It's good to have options! And good for them for helping students get where they want to be!

I graduated from OCU's RN to BSN program this year and it was 4 hours per week - either in the morning or afternoon. No Saturdays.

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Oct 1, 2006

Where does it say 100% NCLEX pass rate? I know when I was looking into OCU my concerns were there pass rates for the past few years: 77%, 63%, 58%, 57% and then they jumped to 92% for 2005.

I'm not trying to sound negative, just wanted to bring that up because I was confused by their pass rates. It scared me enough to not apply there last year.

But ya, good for them for accepting student into the program easier than most schools do. I guess it is first come first accepted since they do say they have to limit class size.

teebee · Oct 1, 2006

I wonder how they can open up that many classes? It sounds good though. I went to their webpage and I might consider the RN-BSN even though it would mean driving to OKC 1 day a week. Wonder if that 1 day is a Saturday? That's what a lot of schools are doing. It's good to have options! And good for them for helping students get where they want to be!

I think this semester the RN-BSN courses meet on Tuesdays? And, like Sweetie mentioned, there are morning and afternoon sections.

I'm in my first semester of the traditional BSN program at OCU and I LOVE IT. Initially I was apprehensive of the program in light of the wide swings in NCLEX pass rates... But after visiting the facility and talking with other students and faculty I was really impressed. The faculty and admininistration were very forthright about the poor pass rates in previous years and have been implementing some very aggressive strategies over the past couple of years in order to correct the problem. So far, it appears that these strategies have been successful as the most current pass-rate for 2006 is 97%. And I appreciated that they addressed the pass rates up front to me as a prospective student rather than trying to brush it aside as some kind of fluke or statistical anomaly.

I do think that one reason OCU can say that they will accept anyone that meets their criteria is that they also know that no one is beating down their doors to pay private school tuition - it is seriously MIND-BLOWING!!! It seems that a lot of people that live in OKC that don't get into a BSN program at UCO or OU may turn to an ADN program before they could seriously consider spending over 10k/semester in tuition at OCU. There are only 23 students in my class so I think opening up a lot of classes really isn't an issue yet - they have put a high priority on recruiting faculty so perhaps if at some point they have enrollment that exceeds the current class capacity it may be quite feasible to open up and additional course section to accommodate.

That said, for me, it is worth the insane tuition to be moving forward in a BSN program. My current instructors are superb - they are so very accessible and available to us as resources whenever we have a question or are having trouble grasping a particular concept. We are required to have laptops but that has been a real benefit IMO.

I did attend UCO for 2 years for all of my nursing pre-reqs and really loved it and certainly the state school tuition is much more appealing than that of OCU... So 20/20 hindsight, UCO would have been my first choice soley for financial reasons but I am very satisfied with OCU based on academics.

lioneyes · Oct 1, 2006

HI EVeryone,

I'm glad to hear all of the great comments about OCU. I have been accepted there for the January class of the accelerated BSN.

I live in California and have not visited OKC or the campus yet. It seems like a decent city and the housing is quite inexpensive compared to here. Seems like many housing opps near to the campus. ANyone know how it is living on campus? Or the area nearby?

Also, I'm interested to know what scholarships people have gotten since it is very expensive as you all say. And how is the school's nursing program viewed by the employment world at large?

Please feel free to pm if you would prefer.

Ann-Marie

teebee · Oct 2, 2006

Hey Anne-Marie,

I've sent you a PM but wanted to respond to your message here as well! Yes, I think the biggest shocker to you coming from California will be the enormous difference in housing and cost-of-living expenses in general. I have a few internet buddies out in CA, as well as a couple of friends from HS out there, and they simply can't get over how comparatively inexpensive homes are here.

And I think you will like OKC and the people here. One of my classmates moved here from Washington - same situation getting into nursing school as in CA - and she has remarked about how NICE and FRIENDLY people are here - she said it was a little disconcerting at first though to have strangers smile, make eye contact and say hi or make conversation with her.

The area around OCU is a little odd to me - just a huge diversity in the type/quality of housing surrounding the campus so be careful about making a decision about where you live - there are some really beautiful areas around OCU and other pockets that are a little... sketchy. I would be happy to help you find something if you want to live off campus. OCU campus itself is beautiful and there is 24 hour patrol/security. I have a couple of classmates that live on campus so I will ask them how they like it - I think the campus apartments look really nice and OCU is currently building another dorm. My husband and I have a home about 1.5 miles away in a historic preservation district and its great to live so close and a really quiet and safe neighborhood (actually, the lowest crime rate of any neighborhood in OKC, virtually nada) - my commute is about 6 minutes from my garage to the front door of KSN!

As for financing... there are scholarships available as well as federal financial aid. Generally, you just have to apply for EVERYTHING you come across - whether it is $50, $500, or $5000 because every little bit helps! It's a pain... but it's kinda just what you gotta do...

Anyhow, hope that helps a bit - just give me a call or email and we can chat more.

Take care!

HI EVeryone,
I'm glad to hear all of the great comments about OCU. I have been accepted there for the January class of the accelerated BSN.
I live in California and have not visited OKC or the campus yet. It seems like a decent city and the housing is quite inexpensive compared to here. Seems like many housing opps near to the campus. ANyone know how it is living on campus? Or the area nearby?
Also, I'm interested to know what scholarships people have gotten since it is very expensive as you all say. And how is the school's nursing program viewed by the employment world at large?
Please feel free to pm if you would prefer.
Ann-Marie

sjt9721, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2006

teebee...Say HI to my alma mater for me. It's been ages since I've been back! I graduated in '94 so I didn't get to enjoy the KSN building. My class started in the old Marion Hall at StAnthony's (with the nuns) and then spent our senior year in the gym/basement of the mental health building during the KSN construction. (Kind of fitting, don't ya think?) :wink2: I think that Phyllis C. & Denise B. are the only ones left that I remember.

Good luck to all of you that are or will be attending OCU!

Go Chiefs...er, I mean, Go Stars!

SJT

OCU '94

teebee · Oct 3, 2006

teebee...Say HI to my alma mater for me. It's been ages since I've been back! I graduated in '94 so I didn't get to enjoy the KSN building. My class started in the old Marion Hall at StAnthony's (with the nuns) and then spent our senior year in the gym/basement of the mental health building during the KSN construction. (Kind of fitting, don't ya think?) :wink2: I think that Phyllis C. & Denise B. are the only ones left that I remember.
Good luck to all of you that are or will be attending OCU!
Go Chiefs...er, I mean, Go Stars!
SJT
OCU '94

Hi SJT!

Oh my, that is fitting to spend your senior year in the basement of the mental health building!! I already feel like checking myself into a rubber room on certain days! :uhoh3: KSN is such a nice facility - and they did a lot of work inside during the summer to install ethernet & power outlets in the floors since we are all required to have laptops, plus all new chairs and tables, more mannequins. It's all very nice.

HOWEVER!!! We had a nursing conference last Friday in the Meinders School of Business... OMG - it was nearly palatial!!! Haha. Oh well, I did the business world thing for 10 years and generally hated it so... :rolleyes: I'll try not to lust over their sublime chairs...

Yep, Denise & Phyllis are still here - they are senior instructors so I don't have them for any classes yet but see them around.

So I will have to find you in the class of '94 in our hallway of graduate photos!

sjt9721, BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2006

Hi SJT!
So I will have to find you in the class of '94 in our hallway of graduate photos!

My last initial was 'W' then...

teebee · Oct 4, 2006

My last initial was 'W' then...

If you're the one with dimples then I found you!! So you guys got to wear the white caps and all!? Sweet... :wink2: