Distance Learning

Distance learning is not new to the School of Nursing. Having been in the business of distance learning for over 14 years and working with nurses from across the nation, the School of Nursing has developed a reputation of being able to meet the needs of distance learners. Our faculty, many of whom have been distance learning students themselves, choose to teach RNs and distance learners, and have more than 50 years of experience in doing so.

University based nursing education typically occurs in urban settings, often requiring student relocation that does not meet the needs of the place-bound student. In an effort to enhance professional nursing services in local as well as rural communities, the School of Nursing at Old Dominion University is committed to making nursing education available to students in the communities in which they live.  Programs are available through the following distance learning options:

• Online - Students take web-based courses that are available any time, any place and at any pace. There are no regularly scheduled class meeting times.  Typically, students can participate from any location. While course material and assignments may have specific completion deadlines, students can generally work through the course following their own schedules.  For Registered Nurses, both the undergraduate and graduate course of study is available online.
• TELETECHNET -Students may attend live televised lectures with one-way video and two-way audio in Virginia and other states via the University's satellite Network. Lectures are typically scheduled every other week during a semester (on Mondays between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. EST) with computer-assisted / web component assignments for the weeks in between. Upper division cluster courses are also available via TELETECHNET; they are scheduled at times other than Monday evenings.  A listing of site locations is available from Old Dominion University Distance Learning.
• Video Streaming - Students may watch live televised lectures via video-streaming on a computer in any geographic location.  The courses are live and do meet at specific class times.  Students can view the instructor; however, the instructor cannot view the students. Interaction takes place in real-time by use of an Internet chat application called Sametime or through a Virtual Instructional Assistant (VIA).  Using this technology, students may choose to attend live class in their own homes.

Undergraduate Options - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (R.N. to B.S.N.)

The RN to BSN is available on-campus, and in all three distance learning formats, Online, TELETECHNET, and videostreaming.  In addition, after completing one semester of the R.N. to B.S.N. curriculum, students may apply for the R.N. to B.S.N./M.S.N. option.

Graduate Options - Masters of Science in Nursing

The second program is the Master of Science in Nursing. Several tracts are available through the distance education program, the Family Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Midwifery roles are available at a few select sites within Virginia and the Nurse Educator and Nurse Leader roles are available as web based programs.

Important Information to New Distance Students:

Starting a Course - Prior to the start of any course, distance learning students must first create an ODU Midas Account.  Once you have your Midas account, a University email account will be created for your use.  NOTE: you must have a university email account in order to access the online courses through Blackboard, the University's course management system.

Course Books/Material - All distance learning students should purchase all text book(s) prior to the start of class.  Instructions on how to acquire these materials are provided on the Distance Learning website's Student Services section

Writing Examination Requirements and Instructions - Degree-seeking students need to take the Writing Sample Placement Test WSPT) during their first semester. Students may take the WSPT on campus or a TELETECHNET site.  For students not associated with a site, the WritingCenter will send the test to your proctor; please contact Becky Jones (rrjones@odu.edu ).

Before graduation, all ODU students must pass an Exit Examination of Writing Proficiency. Publicized dates for administration of the Exit Exam on campus and TELETECHNET sites are included in the Guide to Enrollment.  For students not associated with a site, the Exit Exam Coordinator will send the test to your proctor; please contact Jeb Midyette (jmidyett@odu.edu).

If the above individuals are unavailable, contact the Director of the Writing Center.

For instructions on how to acquire a proctor go to the Distance Learning website's Student Services area.