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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.

Where is the clinical exactly and is the schedule fixed or flexible? I'm in DFW too and working towards starting the Sept '14 cohort.

Interesting...I wonder if they were admitted. It seems like they were still in the process of applying based on the response. Accepting the credits and getting admitted are two different things. Still it is hopeful that UTA at least recognized the WGU program. I'm still holding out for someone that is actually in a NP program post WGU...hopefully no more of the second hand info :) I'm personally putting all my effort into UTA's BSN program. It offers me the best flexibility, cost and completion time -- competitive but less so than WGU. And since I am looking at UTA's NP programs, having a BSN from them should help my odds of getting in for that. I also like that they allow you to take the prerequisites online through them in 5-8 week courses. Past this summer, community college classes won't work for me since they are semester long. I need to finish my prerequisites by January.

Oh, I also read somewhere too that WGU has a forum for its students that has posts about NP schools students have gotten in with their degree. It would be nice to see that info.

Couple other things to consider about WGU: they are a longer program than others, 2 1/2 years, and they seem to be more competitive to get into. For Dallas they only take 12 people per each cohort. Some of the other programs accept quite a few more people. The costs are the same for the most part. Also, their clinical rotations are not very flexible. I've asked for clarification about this in another thread, but the admissions rep said you are at the mercy of partnering hospital and you need to be available at any time during the week, day, night and weekends. My current job is a M-F 9-5 type so it would be really difficult for me to work my clinicals during the day. So while I like some of WGU's structure, I'm kinda leaning towards not doing their program since I absolutely know I want to get into a NP program. I'm sure there are programs I could get into, but I like to be as qualified as possible -- that extra bump from a good GPA is critical to me.

I would also like to know this. I've asked before and no one really responded. I'd be curious if any WGU BSN grads have gone into any of the Dallas area NP programs like UTA's. Hopefully someone will chime in this time. I've been told to just call the programs I'm interested in and see how they look on the WGU grades. The accreditation should be accepted anywhere, it's more of the competitive aspect of your undergrad GPA. Though I think there are other ways of being competitive too, like years on the job, letters of recommendation and also consider that WGU only has their nursing courses online, whereas science prerequisites need to be taken before. So you could carry a 4.0 science GPA which would look really good to a grad program. Just some thoughts, but I'd still like to hear from an actual grad that went into a NP program.

I had my pre-admission meeting today with the WGU admissions counselor. So far I am impressed with the program though the applicant spots seem ridiculously competitive compared to other programs. Only 12 spots per cohort? My question to any DFW students or grads, what were your typical clinical shifts? My admission counselor only said they vary widely and could be days during the week. I'm trying to keep my current day job as long as possible to pay for this program out of pocket. I'd prefer to work only weekends and evenings. Anyone know how flexible they are in scheduling? Thanks!

That's a really good idea. The pre license questions seem to get lost among the others. I've seen people mention no problems going into a NP too, but always second hand. I'm all for the flexibility WGU offers, but not at the expense of furthering my career later down the line. Hopefully someone has experience going into UTA's NP program from WGU.

I couldn't find a UTA desktop wallpaper anywhere so I made one :) Feel free to use and show your school pride:

thanks @meraki86 .. I don't have send privilages yet on IM, but I greatly appreciate your reply :)

@ meraki86 Wow, congrats! May I ask what nursing program you are finishing? I am just starting my prereqs towards my BSN studies and my career dream is similar yours. Childrens would be amazing! Cheers!