Online RN at Broward College?

GabbsRN · Feb 14, 2009

I responded to you on the other thread, but I wanted to add something.

PBCC has a nights and weekend program you might want to look into. Lectures are late in the afternoon/evenings, and clinicals I think on Saturday. The only 2 drawbacks are its a 2 yr 8 month program (their program is usually 2 years- 4 semesters, with summers off) and you have to go to the Lake Worth campus. Some people don't mind the drive, some do, but it could be an option looking into if it works best for your schedule.

http://www.pbcc.edu/x5769.xml

http://www.pbcc.edu/Documents/Nursing/InfoSess.pdf

8977student · Feb 14, 2009

Hi

Thanks for the information. I had looked into PBC but the drawback is the amount of time to complete.

I don't seem to be able to get the best of both worlds!Thanks

GabbsRN · Feb 14, 2009

Yeah, it is A LOT of time, especially when you can be done with BC in 18 months compared to 32 for the nights/weekends at PBCC. Yikes! But I guess it works for some people seeing as they still have the nights/weekends option available.

labrador4122, RN · Feb 14, 2009

I knew a rn in another unit that completed the bc online rn while working fulltime as a social worker

LeavingTeaching4RN · Feb 14, 2009

Honestly, the time you would actually spend in class is minimal. You probably won't spend as much time in class as you did when you got your BS. I know I don't. After the first semester, there's only 6 hours of lecture time per week and 10 - 24 hours of clinicals weekly depending on which group you are assigned. It's difficult to work because of the amount of time needed to read and study and practice your skills.

However, I know a few students who have worked full time throughout and are passing. But, I know more students who worked full time and failed out. It also depends on how flexible your job is. I had no choice but to quit my job as a teacher. However, when I worked as a social worker, a lot of my coworkers were attending grad school full time because it was very easy to change our schedules.

I think the first semester is the most difficult. If your job can work with you during the first semester, you'll probably be okay for the other 4 semesters.

GabbsRN · Feb 14, 2009

Leavingteaching-

When you say clinicals are between 10-24 hours weekly depending on which "group" you are assigned to, do you mean particular instructors? As in let's say you're doing OB. One instructor might have you there 12 hrs, while another 20? Or are there certain rotations that you'll be there more for?

LeavingTeaching4RN · Feb 14, 2009

Leavingteaching-
When you say clinicals are between 10-24 hours weekly depending on which "group" you are assigned to, do you mean particular instructors? As in let's say you're doing OB. One instructor might have you there 12 hrs, while another 20? Or are there certain rotations that you'll be there more for?

Well, it really depends on the clinical group you're assigned. Some clinical instructor may have more than one group. Clinical groups meet twice a week for 8, 10, or 12 hours. Some meet once a week for 12 hours. However, you complete the same number of clinical hours regardless of your group assignment (unless you get an instructor who likes to leave early). On North Campus, Process I and II clinicals are twice a week for 8 hours. Psych is 2x/week. Peds is either once a week or 2x/week. But clinical group times and days can change due to student enrollment. This may differ for the online program, but I don't know.

BlessedRNToBe · Jan 1, 2010

Hi
i am thinking of doing the RN online generic program at Broward college. Does anyone know anyone who has done this and if so was it ok?
I want to the online program because i need to work and go to college. I work full time right now and hope to begin college next year Jan. I have to take the pre-reqs. I already have a Bachelors so was also considering FAU but i don't know how flexible there schedules are.
Does anyone else work full time and still attend a Broward college or university?
Thanks

8977student - are you currently doing the online rn at broward college? If you are, how is it going. I, too, want to do the online program since i must work full time.

GabbsRN · Jan 1, 2010

My friend is doing the online program and just finished her first semester. It was VERY hard. The professor gave just about no guidance, and any time a question was asked, the students were told to, "Read the book." I mean, yeah I understand a lot of the time the info is there in the book, but sometimes you need to ask questions to get clarification. That's what the teacher is there for- to teach. So the professor was basically useless in that regard. Now my friend did better than me in all the pre-reqs, has a medical background, and in my opinion is smarter than I am for sure. She took Microbiology in 6 weeks and got an A. And here I am, passing nursing exams with B's and she barely passed. I know that people who do well in pre-reqs don't always do well in nursing, but trust me, she would have kicked my butt if she had gone the same class I did. So that tells me something. My friend is trying to transfer out of the online program, mostly because the time that she's been required to be at the campus taking tests, etc., she said she might as well have taken the courses face-to-face. Now granted, it isn't the same amount of time as going face-to-face, but it was more than she thought she'd be there. Honestly, after the first semester, aside from clinicals (which you still have to make time for in the online program), you are in lecture for 3 hrs on Monday and 3 hours on Friday and thats it.

Also, her class started with about 30 and after the first course, only about 10 were left. I'm not sure how many made if after the second course, but there were several people who were more than likely going to fail.

I know people have to work an all, but I would strongly advise anyone to NOT work the first the semester, or work as little as humanly possible.

BlessedRNToBe · Jan 1, 2010

thank you very much sunraygurl - your answer is very helpful - i think i'll try face-to-face. good luck.