At South we are not in the OR the first week. Our first quarter is all didactic with the exception of an immersion week in the OR. We do simulation in the summer and etc. We then start clinicals in September, so 3 months into the program. This is more than enough time to understand what is going on and is a better time frame in my opinion than starting so late like Nova's eight months. You want as much experience as possible before your 2nd year starts. I do agree there should be some didactic before starting clinicals, otherwise the first few weeks are a waste. The 24 month programs don't have that kind of time however.