I have just learned about this the online (entire program including pre-req courses) ap bsn program at uta. I read about this on another uta thread but it was not as clear as it was explained today to me. This is similar to the twu weekend bsn program; however, the difference is you will conduct your clinicals at the hospital where you are employed. No matter what position/status where you work (partnered hospital), you can participate in this program at a discounted rate. So far, I believe uta partnered with parkland, baylor and thr but I believe the thr program is different. uta/thr partnership offers full financial support (tuition, fees, and books) by thr for the 2nd bacc bsn program. The ap bsn program only offers you a discount but you would need to use either scholarships or tuition reimbursement from your employer (hospital).
I am so impressed with the fact that the entire program is online and it is estimated to take 18 months to complete (again including all pre-courses). The program is laid out great because you can take all pre-req sciences (except gen chem), psychology courses, stats and other pre-reqs online; your clinicals can be worked out with the clinical partnership manager. Since I work full-time in a non-clinical area, weekends would be so much better for me to participate in my clinicals. I believe the manager will be flexible with me on clinicals b/c we work closely together on a weekly basis.
I can start earlier with this program compared to the twu weekend program. Some pre-req courses are only 5-8 weeks long so you can complete your pre-reqs faster and courses are offered more than traditional program.
I would highly recommend this program for any career changes, who cannot afford to stop working full-time but have the desire to change careers into nursing. :redbeathe Go to www.uta.edu/nursing click on prospective students, click academic partnership, click on academic partnership under bsn program and read more about the opportunity.
Please note: you do not have to work at a hospital to be admitted into this program. Once you are admitted into the junior/senior level of the nursing program, uta will coordinate a clinical site for you at one of their partnership hospitals.
Is there anyone out who have started the ap bsn program either fall 2009 or spring 2010? I would love to hear how things are going in the online courses (whether you just started pre-req courses or you are taking the nursing courses).
I hope this has have been helpful information for those of you who really need flexibility while in the 2nd bsn fast track/accelerator program.
Leery because of the contract? It doesn't make me leery because that means they will have good tuition reimbursement, also I would assume that you could change hospitals within the THR system so it's not like you're stuck in one place. I wasn't aware that Baylor Irving was a partner hospital. I'll have to check there. I've primarily been looking into THR since they have so many locations; especially THR in HEB, as well as THR Dallas. How long is the CNA class? Where are you taking the class?
Yeah, I just don't like to be tied down too much. :)
I am taking it at Elite Nurses Aide Academy in Hurst. They all seem pretty comparable, this one is a month long... classes on tues, wed, thurs from 8-2:15. Tuition is about $850 including scrubs/steth. I already had my CPR/BLS (an additional $50). I figure it will be good practice, anyway. And hopefully it will get me a job/foot in the door.
Hmm..yea wish I could take this class but I'm already working full time and I'm taking Patho right now, so I can't see myself also taking a CNA class at night for 4 weeks. There must be another way!
I am considering the UT Arlington Accelerated BSN at some point, but not in a big hurry. I need my A&P as much online as possible because I travel for work right now. I have two choices and would appreciate any feedback. (1) El Centro A&P I online with a teacher who has a reputation for being very hard, and 4 tests are proctored which means I would have to make sure I was in Dallas on those dates (and I hate proctored exams) or (2) UT Arlington's 8 week course except I would have to first take their cell and molecular bio 8 week pre-course. I'm not in a big hurry because I have to work a few more years in my present job to save enough money. UT Arlington is more money, but it would be worth it if the courses are more doable and not as much of a hassle as DCCCD. I understand everything with UTA is online. Also an extra Bio wouldn't hurt although I did take the Intro to Bio at DCCCD last semester. It was pretty easy online. I am trying to figure out if the extra $ and course at UTA is worth it in terms of reduced hassle and increased probability of making a good grade (maybe an A :)?).
I would appreciate any advice from someone who has experienced either process. I am looking to "enjoy" the courses and stimulate my brain while I currently have to work at a boring job that pays the bills. So no need to kill myself doing it -- yet.
DO NOT take the online Micro at UTA!!!! It is terribly organized, completely overwhelming and rediculous. You will have to teach yourself MicroBiology and try to answer questions that a Micro major might have a hard time answering. Also, you are not allowed to know what you missed. You do not know what you got right or what you got wrong. There has been complaints from my entire class and numerous people dropped it. I am taking my final tomorrow and I am hoping hard to get a C which will be my 1st C in my college career. They have a lot of work to do to make this a successful online class. Do yourself a favor and take it locally!
Yikes...I'm set to start the 20th with Micro! What do you think could have been done differently to help make the class more tolerable? I'm very nervous now....I took Micro about 10 yrs ago and made a B and not retaking to boost GPA up so I really have to make an A in this!! I would appreciate any thoughts on the class structure or any advice on what you might have done differently? I have to take it so any thoughts??!! Sorry it was so bad...
If your not in a terrible time crunch you could take it at tccd they have online and traditional this fall... My problem is that I am in a time crunch which is why I was going to risk it.... But I think it's io much of a risk or me I want to keep my 4.0 for graduate school. It will just take me longer to get where I'm going but I have no choice and I will be ok with it as long as I am making some progress... But I researched the professors at tccd.. Don't take ****** I did have her and she was awful the one who offers the micro online in fall is supposed to b decent... Plus it is a third of the cost of uta good luck with what you decide I feel like this is best for me I can't stress about it anymore lol
I finally sent a mass email complaint and was bombarded with emails from other students that felt the same way, had complained or had dropped it. I was in a time crunch also. I risked it. I would have loved to have dropped it. She did blast me for using the student email to "vent" but she did make a few changes. She changed the "notes" which were 60-70 pg power points that you basically were expected to memorize. The notes were better, however, I really found that my book was better to use still. I made very explicit notes going through each chapter of all bold terms along with the pg. number if I needed to refer to it for the quiz (sorry if you disagree but it is the only hope in this class unfortunately.). The quizzes are 20 questions and you have 25 min. So you better have good notes Also, like I said, she will not tell you or show you what you missed so you have no way to know which is the big problem for the final. The labs, on the other hand, are simple. They are pretty much handed to you! I had an A lab avg. but F quiz avg. My lowest grade on a quiz was 45!!!! The highest was an 88. I am sitting at a 79.23 right now so I am praying I can pull a B but I am not getting my hopes up. I will post tomorrow how the final is. I would be more than to help you in any way I can. I know how it is to NEED the class and to struggle with it. Just so you know, many students told me the Chemistry class is even worse which I can't imagine. I am taking it locally right now instead of with UTA. I wish I could've done that with Micro!
I have also read about her class that you don't need to even buy the book you need to memorize her notes...it's such a hard choice on whether or not to risk it. I have read from others that her final is not bad but I dont want to have to suffer all the way through a class to come out with a withdrawal or a bad grade. I am taking nutrition and public speech at tcc in addition to finishing up my lvn at Concorde all by august... I don't know if I would have the time that an A would require.... plz do keep me updated there is still a week left in case I change my mind :)
I must be in ShellyE's Micro class right now (hi, ShellyE!). I took the final a few days ago and squeaked by with an A (93%) in the class. I have taken Chem, A&P I, and Micro all online via UTA. I honestly thought Chem was the hardest by far. None of them were easy though. Micro was very challenging and I agree with a lot of what ShellyE said. You definitely need the book and you definitely need to take detailed notes. The powerpoint review slides are basically the book outlined but it's not enough to read those in order to prepare for the test. I think the weekly quiz time limit (25 min for 20 questions) adds a significant amount of unnecessary pressure. There is hardly time to second guess an answer so you have to go with your first instinct. Thankfully, the lowest weekly quiz grade is dropped (mine was a 60%) and the last quiz grade was basically a "gimme" - writing a brief review on a topic. Those two factors helped a lot.
I probably spent a good 15 hours a week just on Micro. The labs are easy and straight forward. If you have the time or luxury to take this class in a traditional setting, that may be easier but I can't say for sure since I took it online. An "A" is possible but be prepared to study your booty off. And yes, there are questions that seem out to trick you. Unfortunately, there aren't many high level or basic concept questions.
Feel free to ask me any other questions of PM me for more info. I'm happy to help anyway I can.
Thanks to all of you. I will certainly take your experiences to heart. I will not be ready for Micro until next Fall at my snail's pace. Maybe because of all of your complaints things will get better. UTA is partnered now with a for-profit company that basically is selling the school (note the huge enrollment now). Maybe people who stand to lose money would have a better ear to force course changes.
I will check the boards again next Summer to see if there are any changes for the better. Is there only one Micro teacher? I don't believe DCCCD has a totally online Micro course -- therein lies the problem for me. No way I can leave work to take courses. Are there any others in the area?
Are the exams proctored?
Thanks for your vigilence and good luck to everyone.
What do you think could have been done differently to help make the class more tolerable? I'm very nervous now....I took Micro about 10 yrs ago and made a B and not retaking to boost GPA up so I really have to make an A in this!! 
I would appreciate any thoughts on the class structure or any advice on what you might have done differently? I have to take it so any thoughts??!! Sorry it was so bad...
adrialeigh
36 Posts
Leery because of the contract? It doesn't make me leery because that means they will have good tuition reimbursement, also I would assume that you could change hospitals within the THR system so it's not like you're stuck in one place. I wasn't aware that Baylor Irving was a partner hospital. I'll have to check there. I've primarily been looking into THR since they have so many locations; especially THR in HEB, as well as THR Dallas. How long is the CNA class? Where are you taking the class?