" Self directed" nursing program..???

[DahliaDaisy, RN]

Hello All,

My daughter and I are taking our pre-reqs together at a community college. So far it's been great, wonderful professers and we are both at around 3.8-4.0 so far. They offer the most affordable program around, but we are both a little intimidated by this self directed concept. I did two years of distance learning before in psych/social work, but nursing ?

I'm including the description from their online catalog. Does anyone have any experience with a similar program ?

"Onondaga offers a unique program that allows students to learn the theory portion of the program independently outside of traditional classroom settings through self-paced modules with supportive guidance from faculty. Students design their own structure for gathering and learning information and for mastering new skills, thus preparing them to act confidently and independently in the workforce when they graduate. You will learn and practice your skills in the classroom and through clinical experience in hospitals and community agencies. Since most of our students are non-traditional students, the program offers flexible pacing to accommodate family, work and community commitments. The program also offers an advanced standing option for licensed practical nurses and students transferring nursing courses from other programs. Successful students are those who can work independent from a structured classroom environment.

"

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I dont like the idea of self directed anything. I like having to go to class and learn there. It is why I refuse to do online classes.

[Faith213]

I agree with That Guy. I like the structure of a classroom setting and having deadlines. It'd be too easy for me to put off doing my work. If you are motivated and self-driven it might could work out. Best of luck to you!

[esculenta]

DahliaDaisy, did you end up enrolling for OCC's Nursing program? It sounds really competitive.. less than 40 students per class, plus a limited number of LPN-->RN spots.

I applied for this fall, but an Admissions rep told me most first time applicants are admitted to the Math/ Science track and have to reapply for admission. That works out for me because one of my transcripts has still not made it and I'm CLEPing out of Biology but was not prepared for the test by deadline. So, I'll take A&P I, Microbio, and Psych (co-requisites) and reapply for Spring.

Out of curiosity, did you take any of these classes/ what professors did you have?

Self-directed sounded perfect for me because you can cover the material at your own pace and schedule your own exams. Plus, there are in-class labs and once a week clinicals, so you are interacting with teachers in person.. just not in a lecture format. Nursing is all about the application of theory, and the OCC program seems to have just as much application as a traditional lecture-format program. I do wonder how accessible the professors are about questions, though.