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Thank you Valnoslo, that is a great link! I didn't think to look for a Texas Nurse Association as a resource.

So Children's has an observer program: Observation Program - Volunteer - Children's Medical Ceanter - Dallas Does anyone have a contact there that would be willing to let an eager nursing student shadow them? :)

Will do, thanks!

I'd be really appreciative if someone can give me a direct contact for setting up a job shadow for a day. I just started my prereq classes for UTA's online BSN program. Everything I have researched about nursing leads me to believe this is the right career move for me, except that I am missing real exposure to the job. Before jumping into a year and a half of course work, to just be accepted into the BSN program, I'd love an opportunity to shadow someone for a day and just make sure this is indeed what I want. Apart from cold calling HR offices, does anyone have a lead on who I can speak with to arrange this for the DFW area? Cheers!

I took the second semester history course at the Dallas Community colleges online for this past Maymester. It was a cinch and I finished it in 2 1/2 weeks - I work full time too. I had to write two short essay responses on the class discussion board and then take 3 multiple choice tests, each over three chapters. I'd read the 3 chapters in one day, taking notes, review the ppts, and then take the test the same day. Got an A. Instructor also offered extra credit for doing a historical movie report. I am starting up again in August and have decided to take all my prereqs through the community college. Saves a lot of money and they are a bit easier. Yes through UTA you can get the prereqs done faster, but at what extra cost and effort? Also the community college does offer some courses during the normal semester that are shorter. I'm taking a 6 week Tech Writing class this fall through them. Something I learned that wasn't spelled out clearly, if you don't have a biology credit you can bypass it by taking the community college health sciences A&P I. If you come into UTA to take all your science prereqs you will need to have the biology 1441 credit or equivalent first before taking A&P I. You might already have that, but figuring it out saved me a class so passing it on. And learning that I don't need to take the more difficult "for science major" courses. That made a huge difference. I was signing up for general chem, yikes...now its Introductory Chemistry. Still a lot of work but more reasonable in the content.

I also recommend http://www.kahnacademy.org for studying algebra. Great blackboard style videos on most algebra topics.

I would think the algebra CLEP would be a challenge unless you are naturally good at math.

This is a great book for getting up to speed on Algebra: Amazon.com: Forgotten Algebra (9780764120084): Barbara Lee Bleau: Books Algebra for Dummies is good as well.

I'm in the same boat, January just doesn't seem possible with my work schedule and the amount of classes I need. I'd rather take my time and keep my science GPA up. Are you in DFW? I'm taking Chemistry starting July 11 for 5 weeks through DCCCD. In case you want a study buddy It's way cheaper than going through UTA. I think with the book and lab kit I spent just under $400.

oh wow! You might try taking the CLEP exam on some of the intro classes, like psych and sociology - I've heard those are fairly easy to study for. I just took the second history class during a 2 week summer session through the Dallas Community Colleges and it was easy. If you are in DFW then consider enrolling for the summer II session there. You could knock out two classes before the UTA August start.

I'm hoping for the same. How many of the prereqs do you still need to fulfill? I've got all the sciences, a Texas govt class, Literature, Sociology, Dev Psych, Statistics...I don't think I'll make the January deadline for Sept 2014 start. It really sucks to take general ed courses after I already finished a BA and MA, but what are you going to do...I'm taking Chemistry and Govt in a July summer session at a community college. I just got word that my courses were evaluated by UTA so now just waiting on the CON.

I'm a little leery of WGU...while I like their program for it requiring less prerequisites, they don't seem to hold the same quality standard for their students for what you come in with compared to UTA. For example, they will except StraighterLine online course credits and other credit from schools with lesser accreditation than regular universities. The list the advisor sent me to take biochem outside of WGU included a school (Mountain View University) that was shut down January 2013 after not meeting NCA-HLC accreditation! Other options in the list wouldn't transfer to a regular university. My career goal is to go onto a NP program like you, and I just feel that the more competitive programs might not look favorably upon the WGU grads all things considered...now that's just my opinion, I'm sure plenty of successful students have made it through and found opportunities, I just prefer to be as top tier as possible so that later on I don't run into any road bumps. It may be a few more classes and take you longer, but you will have a stronger education foundation for grad school.

Actually this is what the CON advisor told me, hopefully he is targeting an August start with enough time for me to get ready. I will be in contact once my evaluation is complete. Your patience is much appreciated. I am aware of the registration deadlines to register for the upcoming session. Your evaluation will be completed to allow you a sufficient amount of time to register. In the meantime, please feel welcome to review the admissions brochure and visit the course schedule, registration calendar, and the official website for the Online, Academic Partnershipwebsites for more information about the Online, AP BSN program.

Wow, it is a little frustrating to see it takes this long for the application reviews at UTA. I got notification on Jun 4th that my app was complete, but if people are taking 3+ months to get accepted there is no way I'll make an August start

Wow, that is quite a drive! Hopefully they bundle the schedule for you in easy chunks. Thanks for the info.