Through all my research, I have determined that UoP does not have nursing programs for those who are not already a nurse. I don't know if I'm wrong, or if there are just several confused people on here.

First off, you don't want to go to UoP. It's a for profit school meaning they care more about the $$ than your education. Just don't do it.

You need to find some nursing programs you're interested in. They're all over the place. You can search on collegeboard.com

You're going to need to take prerequisites for a few years including anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbio, english, college algebra, nutrition, and statistics. These vary depending on the school, so that's why you need to find programs you're thinking about.

Take your prerequisites, get high scores, and apply to the programs. They are competitive, so I would recommend applying to a couple.

Please do yourself a favor, and steer clear of university of phoenix, one of those online, for-profit schools (though may have 'brick and mortar' buildings and may be 'accredited') that also includes strayer, everest, penn foster, ashworth, devry, ashwood, capella, argosy, sanford brown, ITT tech, remington, high tech, kaplan, walden, colorado tech and others as they are merely out to 'make a profit' (and course credits may NOT transfer to other schools). This consumer site has several posts by former students about 'university of phoenix' and other online, for-profit schools, and please heed the students' warnings: http://www.ripoffreport.com and can search.

You're much better off going to the community college, taking the necessary (college) prerequisites for the nursing program such as chemistry, biology, college anatomy & physiology and other requirements rather than going to a for-profit school. The nursing programs are supposed to be very competitive though, and it seems as though a lot of schools have waiting lists. If that is the case, perhaps you can take the necessary requirements for an associate (two-year) degree or if at a four year college, take classes while waiting to find out if accepted into the nursing program.

If there is a waiting list, perhaps you can also get training for cna (certified nurse's aide). Please be aware that the nursing (and mental health/social work) field is supposed to have a high burn-out rate, and that includes all levels of the industry. If you are considering training for cna, please forgo those private overpriced for-profit tech schools and instead consider the more affordable county vo-tech school or community college as long as the program is accredited within the industry.

For accredited nursing education programs: http://www.nlnac.org

General career information: http://www.bls.gov/oco and can search 'registered nurses', 'nursing and psychiatric aides' or such.

US colleges: http://www.utexas.edu/world/univ

You may also be able to do some volunteer work at the local hospital as a junior volunteer. It's always best to job shadow/observe someone that works in the field in which one is interested. Perhaps you can give the local hospital a call (with your parents' permission) and ask for the director of volunteers for such opportunities.

For other possible volunteer opportunities: http://www.volunteermatch.org