lucy100

I completed this program almost two years ago, so I'm not sure if anything has changed. In the nursing classes there were NO proctored exams. There were some students that had proctored exams in non nursing classes. I would join the OU online RN to BSN student facebook group for more updated info. The facebook group is very active and had lots of good info.

This sounds like a interesting job. Did you take the position? What kind of work/education experience does this job require?

It took me 1 year. I started in June and graduated the following summer. I only took one class every 5 weeks (many students took 2 classes together every 5 weeks). I have a previous non-nursing BS degree and OU was generous with credit transfers. I only needed the required 9 nursing classes and 1 elective (total of 10 classes). Depending on how many classes you need to complete and how many classes you decide to take at once will determine how fast you graduate. One student I knew who also had a non-nursing degree (only needed 10 classes) , took 2 classes every 5 weeks and finished in 9 months!

Hi lovebeingamom76, What program/school did you attend to get the certified school nurse classes needed?

I know this is an older post but I was curious if/how you finally reached the 24 credits? I am considering EU for certification/masters too. DO you recommend this program?

Hi Trio825, I finished the OU online BSN program a year ago so I don't know if anything has drastically changed ( I doubt it). I spent so much time researching online programs before finally making a school selection and getting started. I don't regret picking the OU online program! I especially loved the 5 week format for all nursing classes. If you are motivated you can finish pretty fast, the cost per credit was better than most programs, and there is a strong student support system on facebook. Getting back into the APA formatting was stressful at first but I recommend the software program PERRLA for APA. I would join the online facebook group to get up to date insight on their program. I agree with sillylilly05 that most of the classes have similar requirements (discussion boards and papers). Ultimately I picked OU because I wanted a real brick and mortar school, affordable cost, generous credit transfers, ability to finish in less than 2 years, and a program that fit my work schedule.

I worked weekends (Fri, Sat, Sun) night shift for 5 years when my kids were in elementary school. My husband had off weekends. It was nice for the set schedule, never needed daycare or summer camp, nice pay. I also never had to worry about my kids staying home sick from school, doctor appointments, I never missed school events during the week. The downside to this shift, I missed every family get together, wedding, baptism or picnic for 5 years. I felt like my husband and I never spent any time together! Most nurses I worked with on the weekend program were parents (working the shift for childcare reasons) or nurses going back to school. A few ideas of other jobs that are more "family" friendly (according to nurses I have worked with) APU, SPU, PACU, pre-admission testing, inpatient rehab, and Heart station. I also know 2 nurses that left the hospital to become school nurses and love, love, love it. If I had to do it over again I would probably try and start out as a school nurse. In my state school nurses are on the teacher pay scale so over time you reach a good salary. You also have good benefits, retirement plan and a good work schedule. In my state for school nursing you need a BSN and a certification which can be done online. I wish I could work per diem however, I carry the health insurance. I think almost any job is more bearable and easier to recover physically when it is per diem hours. I have a friend who makes fabulous money working per diem in the hospital. She only works 8 hour shifts and picks and chooses when she wants to work. Her husband carries the insurance so she has more options.

Did you obtain your school nurse certification before looking for a job or wait until hired?

Hi Hsheffrin, I just completed my BSN at OU this past summer while working part time (and having a family). There were 9 required nursing classes for all nursing students. The nursing classes are only 5 weeks long however non-nursing classes varied in their length. During my time in the program none of the classes I enrolled in had live sessions or specific hours for attendance ( I don't think this will change). Almost all the nursing classes followed the same format (sometimes with slight variation). Every school week began on Monday and had deadlines for weekly assignments. Example: first discussion post by Wednesday, 2 responses and a paper by Sunday night. A few nursing classes required quizzes (no proctor needed) just completed open book quiz by a certain date. Two classes utilized a program similar to using a SIM model(I can't remember the name of the program) but again no live classes, it is all work at your own pace within the assignment deadlines. I learned to work ahead when possible. I only had 1 non-nursing class to complete and it did not require any live sessions. The school does update/change classes so I don't know if anything has changed drastically since August. For the most up to date info on OU I would join their online facebook community. It's called "Ohio University RN to BSN online-academic outreach initiative". It is a great resource for the most up to date info. You should join even if you are not yet an enrolled student in the program. Many people join the fb group to get a feel for the program and ask questions to current students.

I see the same thing that you are mentioning. There were so many RN's leaving immediately after the 6 month orientation my employer started requiring RN's to sign a 2 year progressive care ( 1 year med/surg) contract or else repay the orientation costs. Now when it hits the end of the 2 year contract for Rn's we see the mass exitus.

thank you for the feedback. Did you find that the MSN gave you many new job opportunities? I get worried that I will get a MSN in education and not find a full time job away from the bedside. Are you done with school at the MSN level?

great job Woodsyny! I am finishing up my RN to BSN at OU this summer. I am interested in pursuing an MSN education degree so I am starting to research schools. How many years did it take to complete the MSN at chamberlain? Does the program require a written thesis? I am feeling totally burned out from the online OU program but my long term goals to teach are motivating me to keep looking forward to my next degree goal!

Absolutely correct! The millennial nurses stay 2 years tops then they are gone. Either to better paying jobs elsewhere or back to school. Very smart!

I was just reading an article toxic colleagues. The three signs of toxic people (I'm not saying this is you): 1) colleague seems cold (lacks empathy towards coworkers, hot temper) 2) Seems selfish ( doesn't think about or care about coworkers perspectives and their struggles 3) they are the rule nazi . What to do?? ??? Learn to manage your reations, practice emotional detatchment, try to get to know the coworker better and see their perspective. DONT: assume it's all about them, commiserate with others, dont give feedback unless you can focus on work issues not personal conflict. Straight from Harvard Buisness Revies magazine " How to work with toxic colleagues", fall 2016 available at Barnes and Noble!

No group projects that I am aware of. Discussion board posts and one written assignment per week is typical for most classes.

This exact situation occurs every few years in my workplace. Experienced nurses who have 3+ years of experience discover (through the grapevine) that new graduate RN's have the same or sometimes slightly higher rates of pay. In my workplace, non-union, seniority means NOTHING!!! The experienced nurse becomes disgruntled and starts looking for a new job (they really are not angry at the new nurses just frustrated with the situation). In ANY workplace (not just nursing) employees who work for the same company/ same position more than 2 or 3 years will make less money than new hires! The practice of job hopping will earn you a higher salary and is no longer considered suspicious. The idea of going to an employer and just staying there until retirement (or even 5 years) is antiquated. The best career advice I have been given: take every opportunity, challenge, certification opportunity, tuition reimbursement you can extract from current employer. Once you have mastered that field or are no longer growing, graciously quit and move on to a new opportunity. Never be afraid to ask for a high rate of pay (even if it sounds crazy). The concept of oversharing with coworkers is always a tough learning curve that we all struggle with. All nurses new and experienced can benefit from learning more about navigating office politics! There are many great books on the subject. It helps to learn the rules of how to play the game!

Send a request to join the face book page " Ohio University RN to BSN online-academic outreach initiative" . You will find a ton of current info there about the program and all the classes.

I love reading about the trajectory of other peoples careers! Thank you!

FB group called: Ohio University RN to BSN online-academic outreach initiative

I think that your experience, thoughts, frustrations are actually felt by the majority of floor nurses. There are so many people I work with who are going back to school or looking for a new job. My unit has a revolving door for many of the issues you mention. Last week (in one day) I read a book called "The Nurses" written by Alexandra Robbins. I could not put it down and have been telling everyone about it. It is a non fiction book that follows the work life of 4 ER nurses for a year (I am not an ER RN) and it made me realize it's not just me! Just a few of the chapter titles ...who protects the nurse?, When nurses bully nurses, Burnt to a crisp, the Stepford Nurse. I think this book does a really great job of highlighting the good, bad and ugly of nursing today. I felt very validated by the stories told and think it sparks so many important conversations we need to be having about the state of healthcare! the chapter When nurses bully nurses: hierarchies, hazing and why they eat their young was very thought provoking!

Are you taking 4510 and 4530 at the same time? I start 4510 June 13. I also want to take a class every 5 weeks but I don't see any nursing classes offered again until August. I'm afraid to double up classes with 4510. I only need one junior comp class besides the 9 nursing courses. I guess I should get in touch with my adviser.

My very favorite book is: Cardiovascular Nursing Practice: A Comprehensive Resource Manual and Study Guide for Clinical Nurses by Carol Jacobson. I bought it at a AACN critical care conference. I have the 2007 edition but I believe there is a newer version available on the AACN website. It is comprehensive, easy to understand and very interesting to read. If I were you I would become comfortable with the ACLS protocols. Even once you become ACLS certified , I would keep periodically reviewing these protocols until they are burned in your brain. Topics you can brush up on that are widely found on all PCU's: CHF and ACS including the meds used to treat them (beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, statins, diuretics.) On the step down unit I work there are about 5 gtts we can administer that Med/Surg can't (amiodarone, diltiazem, dobutamine, dopamine, milrinone, and nitroglycerin). When I was a new nurse I had a lot of stress and hesitation when I had patients on these particular meds. If you know which gtts are particular to YOUR unit (or as you learn about them once you start the job), I would make it a point to try and become an "expert" with those specific gtts. Know the max dose, how to titrate, side effects, indications etc. AACN has a lot of good info on their website, especially practice alerts (alarm fatigue, ST monitoring, pain, delirium, etc). Just my two cents.. hopefully this helped. Good luck!

4510 this summer. I'm still planning out the fall semester. Either 4550 or 4540, both start 8/22.

Hi workingh, I was wondering if you signed up for any classes yet? Are you taking 4510?

Yesterday at Barnes & Noble I picked up a non-fiction book called The Nurses: A year of Secrets, Drama, and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital by Alexandra Robbins. It follows 4 different ER nurses for one year. Anyone else read this book yet? I'm only about 50 pages in but I can't stop reading!