However, my future plans with REI involve transitioning my primary income from nursing to REI.

With your sister involved and the opportunity to reinvest your portion of the proceeds, this feels like a solid option, especially if you’re in the early stages of building wealth.Congrats on tackling your first deal!

There are also several local meetups for investors so it's easy to get involved. 

This involves assessing the investor’s financial situation, investment strategy, and the specific projects they wish to undertake.

I would also encourage you to get involved in networking groups in the Chicagoland area as well as listen to the straight up Chicago investor podcast.

Meanwhile the property was deteriorating and tenants complained and got Dallas County Housing Authority involved.  

Understand the fees involved and calculate the total cost for an entire year of management so you can compare the different managers.

Like @Nicholas L. said, maybe look within a reasonable driving distance from where you live, is there any city or state where you have family or friends that live there where you could travel to frequently and they could keep on the property for you or somewhere you visit a lot.  

I think Bethlehem and some of the satellite areas are nicer than Easton especially going up 33 as long as you stay spitting distance to 78.

I have never taken his course, so can't speak to that, but on the surface of a couple Google searches, of the two he seems to actually be involved in real estate a lot more.