It sounds like something out of a movie or TV medical drama: A young nursing school graduate begins working in a Texas
hospital while the COVID-19 pandemic rages. Everything he learned during his undergraduate studies is put to the test, especially while treating his most vulnerable patients: the elderly.
After facing those challenges in real life, UTA graduate student Ty Nguyen was inspired to specialize in acute care.
“What a year it was. Caring for those critically ill patients is what sparked a fire in me to build on my skills and give back,” explained Ty, a certified emergency nurse. “I wanted to challenge myself, make a bigger impact.”
That decision led Ty to enroll in the CCNE-accredited online RN to MSN – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program at The University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing and Health Innovation, which is known for its high-quality nursing programs.
“UTA has been a great fit for me,” said Ty. “Like many of my colleagues, we are all working nurses. The flexibility of the online program has enabled me to continue working and providing for my family while gaining the knowledge and skills needed to advance my career. I am also able to immediately apply what I learn in my job each day.”
Gaining Confidence Through Career-Relevant Coursework
As Ty progressed through the program and started taking advanced courses, he found himself going into work feeling more confident and better prepared to diagnose and treat patients.
“We started the program off with the didactic. The knowledge I gained through that part laid the foundation for working in a clinical setting,” said Ty. “Now, each time I go into my shift, I am better able to spot patterns and pick up on certain symptoms, and that allows me to better advocate for my patients. It has also strengthened my relationships with physicians. They trust me more now that they see I am picking up on things.”
Two courses that Ty felt “tied everything together in a natural progression” were Acute Care Management 1 and 2.
“Those management classes were tremendous,” he said. “They are something that I still refer to today. It’s nice to have that resource in my arsenal as I not only progress through clinicals, but also graduate, prepare for my boards, take the national certification and begin my new career.”
Faculty Support and Networking
Leading up to his May 2025 graduation date, Ty had nothing but good things to say about the professionalism and accessibility of the program’s faculty whom, he said, equipped him with invaluable skills.
“The fact that the professors are also practicing providers made me feel really good. I know that they’re up to date with certain guidelines and care for their patients. They bring that into the classroom,” Ty explained, “which is important because they can empathize with the hurdles. And communication has never been a problem. I reach out via email or text, and they respond in a timely manner. Everyone has been very helpful.”
Ty is also a big fan of the program’s built-in discussion boards which enable classmates to share different perspectives with each other and build a support network.
“People come from different specialty areas. One might have experience as an emergency nurse, another could be from ICU or pediatric or home health. All kinds of topics are shared,” he added. “A lot of the topics that we’re going over this semester are about what happens next. How do you prepare for boards and how do you prepare for your first interview? What questions should you be asking in an interview? Those are very important questions that I feel are beneficial from a discussion perspective.”
Next Chapter
“Right now, I am most excited about the role transition, about being able to utilize the knowledge and skills I’ve gained in classroom and clinical settings and put it all into practice,” said Ty. “As a nurse practitioner, we already have that nursing background. We know what it’s like to be with the patient at the bedside. And now we get to bridge that gap between the bedside role and the provider role. I feel UTA has done a tremendous job of preparing me for that.”
Become a Healthcare Leader With an Online RN to MSN – AGACNP From UTA
Designed for working nurses, the CCNE-accredited online RN to MSN – AGACNP program at UTA prepares you to address the urgent needs of adult and senior patients in a variety of settings including intensive care units, emergency departments and outpatient practices. Gain clinical expertise in areas such as diagnostic reasoning and complex monitoring, explore nursing theory and research, and acquire new credentials in evidence-based practice and pharmacology. You will learn care management strategies for treating patients after heart attacks, strokes, traumatic injuries or other significant health events. Learn from experienced professors committed to your success as you prepare for advanced practice.
The College of Nursing and Health Innovation
With one of the state’s highest graduation and licensure rates, The University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing and Health Innovation is recognized as a center of excellence in healthcare education and research. Our CCNE-accredited online nursing programs are designed to give working healthcare professionals access to the leadership knowledge, skills and credentials required to move into higher-level nursing roles.
More Reasons To Earn Your Nursing Degree at UTA
- CCNE accredited
- 100% online coursework
- Affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition
- Multiple start dates per year
- Supportive, highly experienced faculty
- Extensive alumni network
- Hands-on learning opportunities
- Streamlined admission process
Not ready to earn your MSN yet? Our online Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, which features all the same benefits, can help position your career for growth while putting you on a path to earning an advanced degree. UTA offers a wide variety of career-boosting online nursing programs. Click here to learn more.
