Last updated on October 9, 2019
This post was written by Daphne Johnson, a Dallas Colleges Online student working her way through prerequisites before she transfers into a bachelor’s of science in nursing program.
Right before Christmas of 2014, I took a big chance. It was now or never. With the support of my husband and my two teen kids, I left my job of 11 1/2 years working in human resources to embark on a path toward a totally different career and lifestyle.
I’d worked my entire adult life, so far, primarily in business and had done pretty well, working up to a senior manager’s position right before my resignation. However, I always had this nagging feeling that I was not doing exactly what I could and should be doing. I longed to be in a job that had a direct impact on the welfare of people in my community, a job with purpose and meaning. I wanted to be a nurse.
I already have a bachelor of arts, but now I wanted to get a bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN) and the best place I could think of to take the prerequisite courses for transfer to a BSN program was DCCCD. The many class offerings at the different colleges and the ability to take exams at campus testing centers have made it easy to get my classes done while doing volunteer work, working a part-time job and having time for my home and family.
I’ve taken most of my classes online, but have also taken some in person and now, this semester, I am down to taking my last prerequisite course. I am feeling very upbeat and excited about the future and I feel very lucky to live in a city with such a robust community college system. I feel really lucky that I have had this opportunity to change my life.
You’ll see more content from Daphne later in the semester. To read what our other students have written, you can also browse our student blogger archives.