University of Oklahoma-Accelerated BSN Program

Nursing Students Online Learning

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Hi All,

I'm new to this site and to the field of nursing. Has anyone gone to this school and if so, what did you think?

I live in San Diego, CA, and there is an online program that this school offers. I'm 3 prerequisites away from applying to the school, with a start date of August 08. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Nicole

I will definitely talk to National now that they have a branch in Chula Vista versus the drive to Rancho Bernardo. If a few thousand more but more indepth and worth it then I will go take a look as well.

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I talked to National and considered it but I read in another discussion board on this site that the National students don't get much clinical time and are underprepared on the floor. I'm sure there are varying opinions on that. You might compare directly the number of clinical hours provided by the different programs. From my research it looked like you get a lot with OU because of their relationship with Sharp. Plus you do most of your learning on the job, anyway, and with National you'll pay more and have to get through (I think) 10 more months of school before you can start working. Out of curiosity, though, I'd still love to hear from more current students, as well as the first class that graduated in December!

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I talked to National and considered it but I read in another discussion board on this site that the National students don't get much clinical time and are underprepared on the floor. I'm sure there are varying opinions on that. You might compare directly the number of clinical hours provided by the different programs. From my research it looked like you get a lot with OU because of their relationship with Sharp. Plus you do most of your learning on the job, anyway, and with National you'll pay more and have to get through (I think) 10 more months of school before you can start working. Out of curiosity, though, I'd still love to hear from more current students, as well as the first class that graduated in December!

Hi,

I am a current student at OU, going into 3rd semester. I believe I am receiving a quality education. There are some people who will say they hate the program, "nursing can't be taught online", etc etc. I, on the other hand, like the program because I can learn from my couch! You have to be motivated and a self-learner but there are a variety of learning tools, power points, mp3 lectures, etc. There are many instructors in SD that are extremely competent and some even tutor. I think it depends on who you talk to, also. The cohorts ahead of mine had some problems with scheduling, teachers, etc. As with any new thing, there are growing pains. I am just happy that 8 months from now I will have my BSN!

Good luck in your decision process. If I had to choose all over again, I would choose OU again. Hope this helps!

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I am in the OU program and will graduate! However, it is a strictly online program...you will have no instructors! Imagine learning nursing by yourself...getting a quick degree is really not the way to go. Try looking into other accelerated BSN programs in the San Diego area that actually have instructors and classroom time. CSU San Marcos and Azusa Pacific University. The morale among University Oklahoma students in San Diego is extremely low and most of us are just looking forward to being done with it! Please be careful when choosing this program...it is definitely flawed and just started Fall 2007 and still trying to administratively iron out kinks. Your course instructors are all from OKLAHOMA and you have only email interaction from them. Yes, you do have real nurses in San Diego that you get for clinicals but that's not where the testing comes from...BEWARE!!! Nursing is too important to rush through an online program. I will however feel confident in passing the NCLEX but wish that I had done a traditional BSN program =) Also, the program has lost it's stay at Sharp Cabrillo so we do not know where we will be anymore...no physical school and no instructors...GREAT! What else will they throw at us...it's borderline unethical. Good luck everyone!

Yikes, you definitely are not having the same experience as I am. May I ask which cohort you are in? I think within my cohort, the moral is high and I am happy with OU. I'm sorry you've had a rough time but at least you will soon have your BSN!

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For those who graduated or about to has there been any talk of job placement with Sharp or for that matter has there been any offers to pay back your tuition if you work for sharp for a few years? Does anyone plan to work for sharp after graduation or lock in your job prospects with others such as kaiser or VA? Just wondering if there was something else to look forward to after graduation. I just want a fast program with no nonsense extra BS classes that I do not need nor want to spend money on if not necessary. San Marcos is 5 semesters long and so many more extra classes. I would prefer to study hard and be done and into a new career in 14 months. Where I can finally do something I like and there is more opportunities to expand into forensic or legal nursing or even higher education or specialities. I just want a job that will allow growth, rewarding salaries and satisfaction that I make a difference and a recession proof job. I have a daught to still think of and while I'm still "young" enough to do it. The financial aspect of losing my paycheck I won't worry about till I am in. You don't get anywhere without sacrifice. Being in the Army was tough already so mentally I am ready! Its good to hear that we can rely on our cohorts. Maybe the prior cohorts just had to go through the rough stuff as future cohorts benefits from them ironing out the kinks.

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Hi,

I am a current student at OU, going into 3rd semester. I believe I am receiving a quality education. There are some people who will say they hate the program, "nursing can't be taught online", etc etc. I, on the other hand, like the program because I can learn from my couch! You have to be motivated and a self-learner but there are a variety of learning tools, power points, mp3 lectures, etc. There are many instructors in SD that are extremely competent and some even tutor. I think it depends on who you talk to, also. The cohorts ahead of mine had some problems with scheduling, teachers, etc. As with any new thing, there are growing pains. I am just happy that 8 months from now I will have my BSN!

Good luck in your decision process. If I had to choose all over again, I would choose OU again. Hope this helps!

Yeah, that's the other thing -- a lot depends on what kind of learner you are. I have a hard time paying attention in live classes. I took microbio online last semester and some things were frustrating but overall I LOVED having everything there on the computer (at any time of the day or night!) and not worrying about my notes being wrong because I was spacing out in lecture. And no wasted time going back and forth to class!

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I withdrew from the program last fall and I am looking to unload the books I purchased as part of the package, so if you know anyone interested in buying the electronic book package separately (I've sold a few books on e-bay), then I'd appreciate it greatly.

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wireless-101

do you mind telling us why you withdrew other than personal reasons...was the program that hard to deal with. I spoke to someone yesterday at OU and he mentioned that rarely do people turn down their acceptance. I also spoke to a female from OU telling me that about 91 to 96% (i think) of the class passed and graduated but what I wonder on past post those who failed was it due to lack of studying and just dropping the ball. As with any program it makes you wonder if the way it is being taught if the longer route would be a better fit to make sure that you are not stressed out with the amount work that is required of you and the flip side is that you do finish quickly unlike other programs which cost so much more and require more time and extra classes. After getting in why would you leave again other than personal reasons.

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jens619

I was only in the program for 3 weeks, but I found there was little organization considering we were the 4th cohort. I wasn't impressed with how the class time was used to schedule clinicals and listen to guest speakers for an entire day. I felt the instructors weren't all on the same page with the rest of the OU staff in terms of class scheduling (there was a lot of confusion with the assigned groups and the printed schedule). Overall I found the program to be fast-paced (expected), but the online learning wasn't really working for me, I prefer human interaction and note-taking. I think the program is doable, but it depends on your learning style and how much work you put in it. I'd also heard only 13 students were on track to graduate (1st cohort) and take the nclex this past october (out of 50+ initial students). I know OU accepts a lot of students and many come in unprepared for either the courseload or nursing in general, but a 25% retention rate isn't good enough for my $37K. The website could also be more user-friendly, it was annoying to navigate between courses. When I filled out my withdrawl papers and had to state a reason, the woman said,"just put personal reasons" (not true, but I went with it). I wonder how many students have failed and been told to state otherwise so there numbers look inflated. I also got a call a couple of weeks ago from the new educational director, so the previous one didn't stay too long. I'm re-applying to post-bacc programs, but I'm not trying the online accelerated again. I hope this helps!

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WANNABE07 thank you !!!!! like always you are veryhelpful...honestly I got so upset to read the other post about OU experience. I know everyone feels different about it but it helps to hear from others who have a positive experience!!!

Also I have a question for those of you who already applied for the program...the application requires for us to send original transcripts, prereq form and a class schedule...what class schedule do they want? is it for the classes in progress??? also how do I obtain one? I am taking online classes and I could just print it out from my college website....

thank you everyone

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WANNABE07 thank you !!!!! like always you are veryhelpful...honestly I got so upset to read the other post about OU experience. I know everyone feels different about it but it helps to hear from others who have a positive experience!!!

Also I have a question for those of you who already applied for the program...the application requires for us to send original transcripts, prereq form and a class schedule...what class schedule do they want? is it for the classes in progress??? also how do I obtain one? I am taking online classes and I could just print it out from my college website....

thank you everyone

You are very welcome! I was very upset too. I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion but when false information is given it really makes me upset (such as OU losing their lease, etc). Good luck applying! I am unsure about their requirements regarding class schedule. Perhaps an email will clear things up.

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wireless-101

do you mind telling us why you withdrew other than personal reasons...was the program that hard to deal with. I spoke to someone yesterday at OU and he mentioned that rarely do people turn down their acceptance. I also spoke to a female from OU telling me that about 91 to 96% (i think) of the class passed and graduated but what I wonder on past post those who failed was it due to lack of studying and just dropping the ball. As with any program it makes you wonder if the way it is being taught if the longer route would be a better fit to make sure that you are not stressed out with the amount work that is required of you and the flip side is that you do finish quickly unlike other programs which cost so much more and require more time and extra classes. After getting in why would you leave again other than personal reasons.

Hi,

I'm in the 3rd cohort and we have had some people drop for varying reasons. Some due to health problems, some due to family issues, and some because they realized nursing is not for them. We have had some people fail some classes as well. I don't know why some people fail, perhaps they are not good at the online learning. But we have to remember that nursing school is tough. It is hard to answer NCLEX-style questions with more than one correct answer, etc. Plus the grading scale is different, like all nursing schools. In this program you have to be very self-motivated and able to manage time well. It can be done! Many people are getting straight As or Bs while some are struggling for Cs.

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