Just applied to UTA

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I just applied for the online RN-BSN program. If accepted, I plan to start in May 2013. I would appreciate any feedback on the program. I work fulltime in home health (5 days a week, every 3rd weekend, and on call for 1 week every 6 weeks) and I hope that the program is not too difficult and stressful. Are the mentors/coaches helpful? Are the assignment due dates realistic for the fulltime nurse? Are most of the books, eBooks? I am under the impression that the nursing books are available online at no cost, is this true? Lastly, I hope that UTA will accept my transferrable classes. Can anyone offer any incite to this? I guess I'm just nervous because I don't know what to expect. What does the classwork consist of? Are there lots of online exams and essays?

Any information and opinions are appreciated.

Thanks J

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Hi, I'm sorry no one has responded to your request. I'm kinda new so I didn't think I was expert enough to comment, but here it goes. I was in your shoes a year ago. Just applied to UTA and dying to find out if I could start my next step in life. I was accepted on 4/18/12. From there I had to take/retake classes to get ready for upper division nursing. When I was accepted they gave me a list that explained which transfer credit were accepted and which classes I needed to take at UTA. In my case I had 9 prerequisite classes I needed to complete before entering the nursing program. I was happy with what classes they took from my previous degree 18 years ago. I've heard of others that were not happy and could work it out with their advisor I'm 2.5 classes away from completing that list and anxiously awaiting to see if I've been accepted for fall 2013 APBSN.

I think this is an awesome program. Very do-able. I started off slow with just one class, A&P. This helped me get used to the online platform they use, get in the groove of studying again, and making sure to get high grades. My coaches and instructors have been fabulous and the more nurse-y the class the better the teachers are. Some classes offer e-books, but they are not free. I also found that I hate e-books. Its not like the fiction books on my kindle, they are online and quite restrictive with features. But some folks like them. A typical class has reading, quizzes, and concocted discussion topic to post to a group (similar to this forum) each week. Some have papers (1-5 pages), some have mid-terms and finals. I have found all classes to be reasonable with my time.

I hope this has helped. If you have any other questions. Feel free to post. I'm sure more folks will join in.

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I really like it so far. I haven't found it too challenging yet. I am in Professional nursing class and taking US gov class at the same time. I plan on doubling up my nursing classes, at least on a few of the upcoming classes.

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I really like it so far. I haven't found it too challenging yet. I am in Professional nursing class and taking US gov class at the same time. I plan on doubling up my nursing classes at least on a few of the upcoming classes.[/quote']

How long did it take after you applied before you were accepted?

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

I'm also considering UTA. How do you get "practice experience" ? What is the "capstone" about?

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It really comes down to having the requirements. It's not selective at all. If your an RN, or soon to be an RN. And have the grade point average, they accept you. As you get closer to your perspective start date is when they push your paper work to the front. I applied almost a year ahead of time and they finished it 3 months after. And then evaluated my transcript.

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Thank you (malorymug) so much for responding to my post. I am still waiting for UTA to notify me if I am accepted or not. What was your experience with this? I hope that most of my transferables will be accepted. I was wondering if I would have to take the Texas History class eventhough I reside in California. Are the required books reasonable? Have you every tried renting books? Thanks again for responding to my post.

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Thanks for the information. I hope to start May 20th. Therefore, I suspect that they are now working on this start date.

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Casiegarcia, I can't remember how long it took for an acceptance, maybe a month? Yes, I rent most the books and it seems reasonable to me. I have no idea if they will make you take Texas Politics. I just moved here from California and I'm taking Texas Politics right now. Strange how different Texas is from Cali, I guess I need to know it, don't know why you should have to know it. I hope you will hear soon.

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I was really frustrated by how long it took to get accepted. I applied to start the last week of Feb and they finally pushed the application through about a week before. I wish I had looked into course offerings beforehand as I would have applied earlier because I didn't get to start my first course until 3/25.

As for accepting courses: I have a prior BSN and I initially needed to take several pre-req's. They didn't accept many of my college writing courses so I called my old university for course descriptions and forwarded them onto my academic advisor. He easily accepted 3 of them and with the snap of a finger technical writing, English comp I and my upper level writing elective were waived! If you think anything should be accepted that wasn't, bring it to the attention of your advisor. Mine said they like when students do this as they see so many transcripts a day it's easy for them to accidentally overlook something.

As for courses, I have to take 16 in total. I started with English comp II on 3/25 and started professional nursing on 4/8. I hope to be done a year from now and will be doubling up (and for a few weeks tripling up) throughout the program. I don't think it's hard, but many assignments require lots of time. I work full time and am able to get lots of reading done during my night shift in home health and am even considering getting an iPad with a mobile hotspot so I can do even more work while I'm at work. I also spend a chunk of my weekend days doing work. This leaves me free to hit the gym during the week and head out with friends on weekend nights. It's all doable, but time management needs to be used. I also don't have children, but still think this is doable with them - but maybe some other things would have to be sacrificed or scaled back.

Good luck!

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I called UTA and they said that they haven't received my transcripts yet. Said of it was sent the last two weeks of march to give them time to input them because they are falling behind so not sure if I can start May 20. The problem is my job requires I'm doing something towards my BSN by May 26. I'm currently enrolled in a few pre reqs at the local college as a back up and have to pay by 4/17 or they will be drop. Wondering if I should just do that and have UTA re evaluate a second transcript once I'm done with those and start later in the year..if they would reevaluate them.

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(TamTam) your job is giving you a deadline. What state are you in? I guess I better call this week to confirm receipt of my transcripts.

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