UCO or OU nursing school?

jenlouket · Feb 27, 2009

Hi Motherofgirls,

I'm at OU right now, so I wanted to answer what I could for you...

I'm not sure about what a competetive GPA is, but I wouldn't worry about that too much. I know that they have several different criteria that they call into play, so your OU degree will help you, also OK residency helps. I can't remember exactly but I think they also look at science GPA seperately too, so you're good there.

You can definitely finish up classes after you apply. You have a space to indicate that it will be completed in the Spring semester (applications are due Jan 15th for the traditional BSN program) and then you just make sure that they get an updated transcript when the class is finished.

Good luck on your decision!

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Feb 27, 2009

I graduated from UCO and I think they have a good program. I had a great time in the nursing program there and the staff is very supportive of the students (they helped with clinicals and childcare times, etc).

If I were you, I would make an appointment with at UCO--she is the nursing academic adviser and will let you know if you have a good change of getting in, and if your weak in areas what you need to approve to get into the program. I'm sure OU has someone you can talk to about their program as well.

I would also apply to more than one nursing program (UCO, OU, OSUOKC, OCCC) because getting into nursing school is competitive!

From what I remember of the TEAS is was pretty easy! Don't worry about that!

happilymarried · Feb 27, 2009

Many of the community colleges also have Bachelor's to RN programs. They are concentrated programs and I believe they take 13-15 months to complete. A guy I work with is married to a woman who is doing the OCCC Bachelor's to RN program and she graduates here in a couple of weeks. I don't know if work is possible while attending that program but I thought I would tell you about it as another option.

You can also go to the Oklahoma State Board of Nursing's website and see the first time NCLEX pass rates for all the Oklahoma nursing schools. I leaned heavily on that information when I was deciding which school to attend.

I know I just gave you a bunch of information that you weren't even asking for, I just wanted to share a few other resources with you. Good luck to you in whatever you choose!

montgomeryward · Mar 4, 2009

I know lots of grads from both schools (myself from UCO), and here is my opinion for what it's worth. The most frequent comment I get from OU grads is that the program is very uncoordinated and instructors are difficult to get a hold of, this is both grad and undergrad. That was not my experience at UCO. hope this helps. (go bronchos)

picurn10 · Mar 8, 2009

I have also heard from instructors and students that the program at UCO is better and the graduating nurses are better prepared than the one from OU. I was surpised but I've heard it a lot coming from people working in the hospitals here in the city.

I second the recommendation to look into all your options. OCU and OCCC have accelerated RN programs for people with a prior degree. OCCC's is about 9mo of class time, and at OCCC you have an RN not a BSN but it just depends on what kind of nursing you want to do, if you even need a BSN. I have a degree in psychology and had all my pre-req's done so I looked into both accelerated programs, but for me the time was just too intense (I'm a single mom with a small child) but I switched from thinking I wanted my BSN to realizing RN was really all I cared about at this point. I plan to eventually get my NP, so I'll go back later, but at this time I just need to be able to work and support ds. I've found that unless you want to be the charge nurse or work in some sort of administrative role, a BSN is pretty useless. It also only pays about $1/hr more than RN so for me that wasn't a big advantage.

OSU-OKC, OCCC, Rose St., Redlands CC, OCU, and others all have great options to consider! I actually found there we so many options here that I had a really tought time pinning down just which way I wanted to go.

BrandiBooh · Mar 16, 2009

You really shouldn't go by what other people say about a program and what nurses on the floor say about programs because these people are unaware. Unless you are going through the program or have gone through it and now are working as a nurse, you are not qualified to determine how the program is. Every school is graded on their NCLEX pass rates, go to the Oklahoma Board of Nursing website to check those out because ultimately that is your goal after graduation.

You are going to really learn/master the clinical component once you graduate and hit the floors. I have seen great new grads from ALL programs and also bad ones, it's how YOU utilize your learning and seek opportunities to develop as a nurse.

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Mar 17, 2009

You really shouldn't go by what other people say about a program and what nurses on the floor say about programs

I would have to disagree. I think it's really important to ask around about nursing programs....because nurses who have graduated from them and work with new grads KNOW.

I have heard the same about OU both undergrad and grad nursing programs....I got accepted into their program a couple years ago and turned it down because of all the negatives I hear about OU honestly. Last time I had looked OU's NCLEX pass rate had dropped below the national average (can be found on OBN website).

I *consistently* hear good things from RN's and nursing students and nursing employers about UCO, OCCC, and OSU-OKC.

BrandiBooh · Mar 18, 2009

I say not to go by feedback from people that are not in a program because how can they truly evaluate? Simply because they know a few new grads from a program, that is not how you base your conclusions entirely. Everyone is different and everyone utilizes what they have learned in school differently and in nursing you have to be proactive and make a conscious effort to seek learning opportunities---schools teach you how to pass NCLEX and give you the BASIC nursing knowledge...not how to be an effective and proficient RN.

I have heard bad things about OU, UCO, Langston, TU and every other program and I have heard good things about them as well. I suggest protential students interview with the schools, look up pass rates, and also evaluate what they want out of a nursing school and if these goals are consistent with the program. I NEVER go by what other people say about something that have not even experienced it...

But everyone has their own views on how to evaluate things so that's just my 2cents... Ultimately, you have to figure out what works for you, I am sure whatever school you choose you will do fine...it's really up to you how you utilize your learning, just remind yourself that this is what you want and what you are learning is going to help shape your career! GOOD LUCK!

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Mar 21, 2009

I say not to go by feedback from people that are not in a program because how can they truly evaluate?

Oh I agree with you! I was only speaking of people I know who are IN or who graduated from OU (and other programs). I work with a lot of OU students doing their clinicals with us (I always have students with me from multiple programs....OU, OCCC, Rose, Platt, UCO, etc) and OU grads and all I hear from them is how unorganized OU nursing (undergrad and grad both are)---I have 2 coworkers in OU's NP program who will tell you how unorganized it is, one coworker in masters program at OU who says it's a joke. I would want someone to pass that info along to me personally when trying to make a decision just because it's all so darn expensive.

It has nothing to do with the caliber of the students at OU because all the OU students I know and grads I work with are super smart....it's just the program itself I consistently hear about it's disorganization, dropping nclex rates, etc. I have worked with students from certain schools though (won't name names) where the caliber of the student is pretty low honestly...

I know when deciding on where to apply I talked with a lot of nurses and nursing students, teachers, etc. I always looked at NCLEX pass rates, etc.

huggiebear1979 · Nov 4, 2009

To Mother of girls, just a tidbit for you, if you haven't already applied to nursing school, make sure you apply to Midwestern State University in Wichita FAlls TX too, if you can manage the drive, I was contemplating both OU and Midwestern State, and I haven't got my acceptance letters yet, but I feel way more confident that I got accepted into Midwestern than OU, just make sure you have a back up school or plan in case, if nursing school falls through, mine is either becoming a Dietician or a Radiology Technician, both of these make about the same as an RN, and you still are in a hospital setting and improving patients lives.