As Jeremy Schrodt considered a career change after 14 years teaching math and science, he found inspiration within his household. “My wife is a nurse, which helped push me in that direction,” said Jeremy. “Teaching and nursing have similar qualities, so I felt like it was a good transition for me.”
As a previous graduate of The University of Texas at Arlington – he earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2008 – Jeremy was able to draw on personal experiences when deciding on the next step in his academic journey. “My wife earned her nursing degree from UTA, so we already knew about the program. I chose to go with UTA for my online Bachelor of Science in Nursing because of my familiarity with the school, and we’ve had good success.”
Their familial dedication to the orange and blue doesn’t stop there, as Jeremy’s wife earned an additional degree from their alma mater. “Her Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner is from UTA as well,” he said. “We’re pretty much getting all our degrees there.”
Asked what motivated him to move on from an established teaching career with a competitive salary, Jeremy cited the opportunities for career growth in healthcare. “You can do anything. You can work in surgery, the GI lab or the cancer center. Don’t want to stay at home? Become a travel nurse. You can also go into nursing education or become a supervisor. All of my bosses are registered nurses.”
Jeremy’s experience in the online BSN program, which he completed in May of 2024, helped him gain clarity on what nursing specializations he gravitated toward. “It gave me opportunities to learn through different clinicals. We had experiences in medical surgical units, intensive care units, emergency room rotations and women’s services. Getting this overall view helps you see what things are like.”
Ultimately, he settled into a role that was a departure from his teaching career. “I’m currently an emergency room nurse in a local hospital,” he said. “Working in the ER is very different from education. We have a lot of days that are fast paced. There’s a lot of variety in what you are doing. We have many different experiences.”
Despite completing his first degree in a traditional on-campus setting, Jeremy had no problems acclimating to the accelerated online format of his BSN program. “The modules are very easy to navigate. It’s easy to use the menus to access your grades or assignments. There is a Canvas calendar that shows all your due dates if you are enrolled in multiple courses. You can look at an entire month or week-to-week.”
In addition to the user-friendly format, Jeremy appreciated the layers of support offered by UTA. “We had coaches who would be our go-to person if we needed help, designated faculty for each course and dedicated clinical instructors who would debrief us at the end of the day and really impact the way we saw nursing. There were several who stood out for the way they helped us understand the information or what we were doing.”
Maintaining clear lines of communication with faculty and staff proved to be effortless for Jeremy and his classmates. “Anytime I needed to talk to either my clinical instructor, coach or the faculty, there’d be a response within 24-48 hours. Sometimes faster. You almost always had the phone number of your clinical coaches. That made it super easy.”
When asked for his final thoughts on the program, Jeremy singled out how his experience with UTA enabled him to smoothly transition into professional healthcare environments. “UTA did a really good job of preparing me for the National Council of Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses,” he said. “Nursing has moved so far away from ‘this is what you’re doing because the doctor told you to.’ You have to use your critical thinking skills to evaluate patients and understand how your interventions are going to affect them. The entire program sets you up to think like that.”
Discover How the Online BSN Program Supports Your Goals
Develop clinical expertise to thrive as a healthcare professional through the convenient, flexible online Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at UTA. We offer working adults like you the freedom to customize your study schedule by choosing from multiple start dates and our affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition lessens the burden on your budget. You’ll also benefit from collaborative relationships with faculty who share their years of nursing experience while leading you through easily accessible online coursework.
Advance your knowledge of key industry competencies like healthcare informatics, pharmacology, therapeutic nursing interventions and holistic health assessments that could play a critical role in expanding your career opportunities. This CCNE-accredited program explores leadership theories and organizational structures unique to healthcare organizations while elevating you to the status of a valued, practice-ready nurse.
As an esteemed leader in nursing education with the prestigious R-1 Research designation, UTA provides a cutting-edge environment for honing your skills. In addition to transformative, real-world clinical experiences, you’ll refine your decision-making via The Smart Hospital, which utilizes high-tech patient simulators to build your confidence and nursing acumen. At UTA, we’re focused on supporting your success both now and in the future.
Prepare for a Variety of Rewarding Healthcare Opportunities
Earning your BSN nursing degree online is a significant step toward establishing yourself as an in-demand healthcare practitioner. Our respected faculty support you through each phase of your studies and our fervent alumni network can be instrumental in growing your professional connections. At UTA, we design our online programs to ensure you’re fully prepared to sit for the relevant licensure examinations so you can seamlessly complete the transition from nursing student to nursing professional. We’re proud to offer a world-class educational experience that puts your career goals firmly within reach.
As a graduate of this online program, you’ll be qualified for vital nursing roles, such as:
- Public Health Nurse
- Case Manager
- Charge Nurse
- Emergency Room Nurse
- Care Coordinator
Learn more about the online Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Discover More Benefits of UTA’s Online Nursing Programs
Our exceptional online nursing programs offer an accelerated pathway to earning your degree or certificate and pursuing exciting new professional opportunities. Explore our full range of online nursing programs today.
