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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
jens619I 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!
Regarding the retention rate of the first cohort, they told us at orientation today that there were only 22 students when it started, 2 failed out, and I think 3 more withdrew or are held back with the next cohort, leaving 17 who graduated in December, and that 14 of those already have jobs lined up.
Also, another student from that 4th cohort that started in the fall said the first 3 weeks were awful but it settled down after that, and all the students (granted, only three were there to talk to us!) said good things about the online format. I was impressed with everyone who talked to us and felt much better about the program. Also, included in our tuition is an ATI exam prep course that would cost you extra if you were in a program that doesn't provide it. It sounds very helpful, with proctored practice exams to take as you go through school, personalized review programs, and an estimate at the end of where you stand for the NCLEX and what you need to work on.
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 should probably confirm with someone with the program, but for the classes I was still completing I printed an unofficial transcript (showing "in progress") from one school's web program and a class schedule (showing that I was registered or enrolled) from the other school's web program, and they took those and said they were perfect until I had final transcripts.
Hi Everyone~ I thought the orientation today was great and so informative. Like any nursing program, it's going to have its challenges, especially for those of us who have not had a medical background. They really stressed how important it is to keep up on your studying and apply the knowlege to your patients. This is supposed be a journey that is difficult, but life-changing and I'm excited for the challenge! :wink2: To anyone in the process of applying, I think you're making the right decision! Just stay close to this site and you will get all the answers and info you will ever need!
Hi Everyone~ I thought the orientation today was great and so informative. Like any nursing program, it's going to have its challenges, especially for those of us who have not had a medical background. They really stressed how important it is to keep up on your studying and apply the knowlege to your patients. This is supposed be a journey that is difficult, but life-changing and I'm excited for the challenge! :wink2: To anyone in the process of applying, I think you're making the right decision! Just stay close to this site and you will get all the answers and info you will ever need!
I agree, although I am now officially terrified of the first three weeks!
Thank you Wannbe and San DiegoScrubs and Wireless for the information. It helps to see what you are up against especially since this is an individual progress. At SDSU you and your partner constantly got together to study everyday, if I get into this program I am definitely relying on such a support system when things seem to get out of hand and your classmates stabilize you again and give you something to focus. All the information has been so helpful. Please let us know more as you prgress in your studies! I am very excited to see if I can get in for the August cohort so that I can get on with a new career!
Me too! I'm so excited!! But when I got home and tried on my uniform I found that it is swimming on meI'm hoping I can at least exchange the pants so I don't feel like a parachute... I guess trying them on over jeans wasn't the best idea for me!
me too - the pants are way too big..... i think we need to go down to her store to do that.
wannabe07
247 Posts
We received an email last semester about the possibility of Sharp giving a loan-reimbursement of up to $25K for a 3 year sign-on contract specifically for OU students. I couldn't attend the meeting due to clinical but they are supposed to have more meetings in the future with the recruiters from Sharp. Also, 4th semester is dedicated to a pre-ceptorship which could lead to possible employment as well.