Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to commonly asked questions about getting started and succeeding as an Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN student.
For additional questions, contact Tiffany Murray, M.Ed., academic advisor, at tiffany.murray@uc.edu.
No, Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN program students must maintain a full-time course schedule and progress with their cohort throughout the program.
If you must work for financial reasons, it is recommended you work no more than 20 hours per week during the program. It is also recommended you do not work overnight shifts during the program; however, if you must work overnight shifts, you cannot work these shifts before a clinical day to ensure proper safety of your patients and colleagues while on the floor.
No, retaking a course will automatically delay your graduation date by 1 – 2 semesters, at least. Because the courses are built into a cohort model, students must complete and pass (with a B-minus grade or higher) all courses in a scheduled semester before advancing to the following semester's courses. If the course needed is not offered in the next semester, you must wait two semesters to continue in the program.
No, you must be fully compliant to attend clinicals. If your CastleBranch account says you are non-compliant and you do not know why or what to do, email conoad@uc.edu as soon as possible.
Due to the nature of working with clinical partners, it is likely your clinicals will not be finalized by your university scheduled enrollment times. As clinical sites continue to navigate staffing shortages, it takes time to get available spots for students. Your academic advisor will notify you when your clinical registration will open. This could be as late as a month out from the start of the semester.
No, the program's demands prevent students from pursuing additional education without extending the time to graduation.
The Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN program is set up to transition you from from traditional learning to graduate-level coursework. Your first semester will be highly structured. After that, your classes will use a "flipped classroom" instruction model wherein students are expected to learn the material before class and review it in class with the instructor. Because of the advanced pace of the program, it is not possible to cover all topics in depth during class time, so students must learn on their own, as well as in the classroom.
The Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN program is accredited as an in-seat program. Students cannot attend classes through Zoom or FaceTime as long as the course is taking place in seat.
Yes, students could be required to pick up patient assignments the evening prior to a clinical, allowing the student time to review and mentally prepare for the clinical assignment. Student could also be asked to come to campus for testing in preparation for sitting for the licensure exam. These tests allow the student to leave with an individual view of their preparation readiness for each exam with individualized remediation.