It's a done deal

Classes are over!
Finals are done!
Papers are finished!
Time for the yuletide gay and eggnog!

I've made it through an entire semester. Yippeeee! Grades held strong which is a great bonus. I'm still challenged to balance it all and learning better study and time management skills everyday. But for now, I'm thrilled to be able to close the chapter on Microbiology and Nutrition and ease my way into flipping through magazines, holiday crafting, and most excitedly more time with my sweet family.

UT had a hold on my application because of a clerical error on their part. Luckily the nursing school emailed me asking if I could fix it, otherwise they couldn't consider my application. Luckily, it was only a small moment of holding my breath. UT put my application on the top and off it went electronically to the nursing school.

Dec. 1

It has arrived. The deadline for my nursing application is today. I have been working and preparing nearly everyday in some way since I decided on nursing this last spring. I feel really great about my recent grades, my essay, my references.... its just awesome how it all came together. I personally delivered it this afternoon to the school. The graduate advisor said they had just taken away a huge stack of about 100 applications.

Now we wait.... about 2 months. The holidays will be a good distraction.
Merry Merry.

mini break

Ahhh.... I can almost taste the turkey and pie. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE! I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to the next few days. Spending time with family, having no agenda but what to eat next and what wine will taste best with it, Wii tournaments, reading for pleasure, hot baths, and lots of catching up on the DVR.

I do have 2 "small projects" to somehow fit in between my indulgent moments of holiday bliss. My research paper didn't quite get finished. I was given an extension, which is a wonderful gift, but the fact remains, I still have to write it. Today, preferably, it will be done. Second, is my personal essay for my application. I had visions of turning my application in earlier than the due date, but its looking like I just won't get to my essay until this weekend. I'd like to personally deliver my proud package on Monday, Dec. 1. It will be a huge but brief relief to turn it in... only to be replaced with the anxiety and anticipation of the hopeful letter of acceptance in late February.

About 160 apply for the alternative entry MSN and they accept about 55-60 a year. Not the worst odds to be up against, but I'm sure each of those 160 are as competent as I am, so their decision must be a difficult one. Let the prayers begin!

It's coming together

I only have a few weeks for this, meaning my application, to come together. I am steadily assembling the pieces while trying to stay on top of my current classes as well. Have my 3rd Microbiology Lecture Exam on Thursday; 3rd lab practical was today. We are well over half done. Just a week or two, then Thanksgiving, followed by about 10 days and then I can rest for a few weeks over Christmas. I can't wait!

I just checked the status with my UT application. They have received all pieces except my GRE report, which they have, but just haven't recorded it, I guess. It will be encouraging to get word of acceptance into the graduate school, soon, I hope.

Meanwhile, my resume is almost finished, 3 references are done, and transcripts are all here... its just my personal essay left. The essay is the most important piece of that entire application and of course I've left it to the last.

I'm hoping inspiration and a good night's sleep to get me through it.

And the pendulum swings back....

Oh the pendulum.

This journey trying to figure out my new career has been wonderful, but utterly crazy trying to decifer and figure out. I've occilated from a PA to MSN to BSN to NP to MD to PhD/MD to DNP and back to MSN. So, I'm basically back where I started, but with a WHOLE mess of new knowledge.

The MSN to recap... its here in Austin at UT, 2 1/2+ year program, BA to MSN (no nursing experience necessary). One of my roadblocks before was trying to select an emphasis of my degree BEFORE I have even tried nursing. What I've realized is that what I'm really liking about being in school... is just that.. being in school. Academics. Research. Teaching. So there's my focus... teaching. My sister has told me for ages she thinks I'd make a good teacher. I looked into grade school teaching countless times, but it never clicked. Teaching at the university level feels great. I'm thrilled to be an educator and to be teaching nursing. We need nurses like crazy, but what we need even more is nursing educators. I read an article from the Daily Texan that detailed the UT program had to turn away qualified and desirable candidates for their nursing program JUST because of their lack of nursing educators. Serving a place in our community locally, nationally and globally that has a desperate need is a rewarding idea.

So, the path is getting much clearer now. sigh.
Now it's just a matter of putting it to action.

I have 2 applications to complete and be accepted to. First, to the graduate school at UT, and second, into the nursing educator program. I just completed and sent in my UT graduate school application last week. It was fairly simple once I had completed the dang GRE... Online application, GRE scores, and official transcripts.

I'm now focusing on the nursing application. 3 references, essay, and another round of transcripts. The essay is the biggest piece. As far as I can tell, there isn't any kind of interview, so your essay has to cover everything you want them to know and everything they want to hear.

There's a little comfort knowing they NEED nurses and educators badly, so they will want to take in as many as they can, but knowing they have limited spots and they will want the best candidates possible makes me a little nervous.

Most likely, my MSN will turn PhD, since I'm entering the university level educational system, at this point I'm thinking it will be worth getting all credentials to open as many doors as possible. Their website said it adds only 1 - 1 1/2 years, but the trick is I will have to make that decision after the first year in order make the switch. I will have to declare my research focus as well. So, if that focus has not presented myself by then, I'll probably just stick with the MSN.

Application deadline is Dec. 1
I should be hearing from them by end of Feb/early March for acceptance or denial.

In the meantime... just getting through Nutrition and Microbiology this fall, and will be registering soon for spring classes of Genetics, Physiology and Pharmacology.

"Pin-snays"

(Baby got ahold of my glasses and recreated them)

This is so representative of how school is going these days. "Just barely holding it together" is how it feels. Grades are good, which is a plus. Finding time to study is turning into a huge challenge. Between entertaining, feeding, taking care of a toddler and being available for my teenager to run the daily carpools, to keeping the house somewhat in order, to keeping food in pantry and cooked for dinners, to trying to squeeze time to connect daily with sweet husband.. it's just a mish mash mosh around here.

First exams.

First exams were yesterday. Microbiology is already posted and I did great... about the same as I was doing in Anatomy. Yay! Thank goodness for extra credit! Both teachers do this funny system I've never experienced before. They both have a point system. You add up all the points ... from exams, papers, extra credit... all of it just goes into one pool. If you have 675-750 points you get an A. 600-675 you get B... yada yada yada... so once you get your points, you can stop taking the tests. Microbiology said he PREFERS you don't take the final. "Just get your points early on", he encourages. I agree. Just funny business this point system.

So I'm well on my way to my 675.

I just need to watch out I don't burn the house down along the way.

new thoughts

Starting this new semester and my new path before me has brought about an unsettling thought... what if I get bored?

One of the largest elements of excitement and motivation that was fueling me toward my MSN was the opportunity for graduate level school...

... for lengthy discussions with people like-minded about things I've been wanting to know more about for ages,

... for expectations higher than I currently hold myself to,

... for the opportunity to work and watch others that are WELL beyond my own levels,

... for the challenge to dig deep and see what I'm made of...

Currently, I find myself in a substantial course LOAD but the course WORK is just basic. (Maybe I'll think differently as we get further along in the semester.... perhaps not.)

I WANT the challenge of higher level thinking and am saddened to think that my pre-requisite work followed by my second BA (BSN) is only going to bring about the same basic kind of work and same basic level of challenge and resulting in same basic level of excitement... boooorrringggg... not how I envisioned entering this new career field.

Then a sparkle of light entered my thoughts.... DR. DEBEAUMONT! This whole journey began in 1994 when I started gathering my medical school pre-requisites... so maybe just MAYBE it might end there. See, Austin has been rumored to be hosting a new medical school by 2012. If my timeline stands, I will be done and ready for RN employment by 1st of January 2011. So maybe just maybe instead of going back to UT for my masters in NP I'll trade in my RN for the whole enchilada.... MD.

Like I said in the beginning... just new thoughts.

CRAM TIME!

We're on our second week of fall semester classes. It's taken me at least this long to slow down my thinking from the jam packed schedule of summer Anatomy. By the time we have our FIRST exam this fall, we would already be taking the final in the summer class. An amazing difference, indeed.

So, my "cram time" right now, is not for a particular class or exam, but for the whole semester.

My last entry told you about the new program I am changing my focus to, TAMU-CC to get a BSN. TAMU-CC is called "Island University". For someone from Ohio, this might create visions of palm trees and white sand, but for any of us that know the Texas coast, I find this name funny and entertaining. But I guess we'll need to reserve full judgment until I meet "the Island" firsthand.


Since I received my BA from outside of Texas (GO BUFFS!)and am now getting a 2nd BA (BSN), I now have the fun challenge of meeting the TEXAS CORE CURRICULUM! It's basically the same for any TX college give or take a few qualifying classes.

The only way I am going to be able to stick to the summer entry to TAMU-CC nursing program will be if I get my entire CORE classes COMPLETE... yes COMPLETE by THIS FALL. I need a NURSING pre-requisite that is offered at TAMU-CC that I will have to take this Spring, but apparently unless I'm CORE COMPLETE by Spring when registering for this class it creates issues.

Bottom line.
I'm 7 classes shy on my core curriculum. Guess my LIBERAL arts degree was quite LIBERAL in their core curriculum requirements. ;)

So.
2 can be waived since I already have a BA. (ECON + PHILOSOPHY)
I scrambled to register for ENGL COMP 2 + TX GOV last week.
I can CLEP (test) out of HIST 1301 + 1302
That leaves one, yup ONE = Public Speaking. I was hoping I could place out with my experience as MTI teaching and instructing for almost 3 years now, but I just got the word today, that they don't accept life experience for credit. ;(

So, I immediately got online and phone trying to add this ONE last class. And as you probably knew but I didn't, drop/add of classes is long been over. My ONLY chance of a saving grace is an online 12 week class that begins Sept 22. It's currently full, but I CAN still add it if anyone just happens to drop out. Anyone want to hack into the ACC database so I can get names of students I might negotiate a deal for them to drop the class?

My simple 7 hour Fall semester of Microbiology and Nutrition, being no small feat within themselves, has now swollen to include definitely 6 and possibly 9 more hours! If I can pull this off, I am seriously going to win the Pulitzer or Nobel Peace Prize or one of those recognitions for an impossible feat coming to fruition.

A fork in the road...

I've been rethinking my current plan and realizing it needs a few changes.

So, instead of the BA to MSN, I'm going to pursue a BA to BSN. Here's why...

1. The MSN at UT requires you to declare your field of interest as part of your application. So, your whole degree depends on your area of choice. Since I'm not experienced with nursing yet, it has been really difficult trying to project what I think I want to do with this degree. The BSN is just straight BSN. That's better.

2. I've been toying with the idea of getting the Nurse Practitioner Masters (NP) instead. UT requires that you work as an RN for at least 2 years before you are eligible to apply for the NP program. Another good reason the BSN is better. This way I can work and try different fields before having to commit my career to one.

3. Lastly... The sooner I can start bringing in the dough, the better for us.

So, I've found 2 programs that you can get your BSN in 12 months. Seriously, 12 months. The more I researched these programs, the more I realized it would basically be an ENTIRE YEAR (week off in May and one week in September) of what I went through last month in Anatomy.... remember the milk challenge? exactly. They REQUIRE you to sign a waiver that you won't work AT ALL and if they catch you working, you are kicked out of the program. wow. They quote that their students put in 80-100 hours a week in combined efforts of clinicals, classes, and homework. Is that possible?

So, I kept looking and finally found a BA to BSN program stretching it to 18 months (and up to 4 years... since its online, you can take breaks if you need it). They don't mind you working and having a life/family. The pre-req's are reasonable. The cost is even cheaper than both the 12 month programs. It's through A&M - Corpus Christi = TAMU-CC. I'll have to go down there a few times over the whole 18 months, but I mostly will be home doing classes online and clinicals with a local precepter here in Austin!

I'm still hoping to start Summer 2009 just as the UT program would begin. I've had to tweak my pre-requisites a little, but I should be ok to start then if all goes smoothly.

Another element I really like is that 2 of my new friends from Anatomy class are also looking into this program. So it would be great to create a support group of students here in town. Friends to travel to Corpus with and share travel expenses and roadtrip fun.

Funny to think I'll have my BSN from A&M, then NP from UT.
Split between the rivals.

It's done.

Wow. It's taken me a day or two to really feel that I'm done. Really good feeling actually. I'm celebrating today by staying in my pajamas as long as possible and just catching up on small things around the house. I read a magazine. Ate some chocolate with my morning coffee. Sent some emails. It's been heaven.

So... the last 2 tests went well. As I was taking the final, the good feeling of knowing I still had a decent cushion for my grade allowed me to skip the essay question all together. I've never had the thought or the confidence to leave something blank and know for sure it wouldn't backfire. Instead, I wrote my teacher a short thank you for such a great class. She did a tremendous job making all the details and memorization interesting and engaging. Even with leaving the essay blank... I managed 147.5/150 after the extra credit questions. Bringing my overall average to a 98. I feel a bit like an Olympic Gold medal victory.

Feels good to do well. Feels even better to be finished and relaxing. The road to my Masters is long ahead of me, but I'm feeling good about the shoes I'm trying to fill.

In the middle of the Final Four

Madness,... YES! Last Monday, our class realized we had 8 days remaining of our class and 4 of those days were exams. Exams from last week went well. I'm maintaining but I'm not sure exactly how. Being tested on material you JUST received a few days before is insane. I've felt like I'm in some kind of academic twilight zone. I'm heading to the lab for a jam packed morning of microscopes and models then home to study until the wee hours tonight. Do it again tomorrow on all the details I didn't get to today. Then Final exam Monday and Final exam Tuesday. Heed all warnings... never take Anatomy in 5 weeks.

The Milk Challenge

Ever heard of it? The Milk Challenge? The challenge is to drink a gallon of milk in one hour. Sounds simple enough. Well... I'm beginning to feel this is a perfect metaphor for this Anatomy class. As you can imagine, the body has an impossible feat to take in an entire gallon of milk in one hour. For one, the size of the stomach can only take in so much. Like my brain. It can only take in so much. 5 weeks to cram in the details of structure, location and function of up to 3 different body systems a week has been incredibly challenging. So it can be done, but its rather miserable. Read more about it here . Good news is Exam 3 was today and I think I pulled another A. Thank you GOD! It was the hardest test of the semester the instructor said. We're half way done!

Procrastinating

Exam 2 today went well. YAY! So instead of studying for Lab Practical 2 that's on Thursday, I started playing around with PHOTOMANIA. See what fun you can do! SEE HERE.

Feeling a little uneasy at the top

The instructor handed back both our Lecture Exam 1 and our Lab Practical Exam 1 today (with her bonus questions... I ended up scoring over 100 on each exam!). She was really pleased how well the class did despite the rigorous schedule the summer schedule creates. She slipped by my desk and quietly asked to borrow my test. Then she proceeds to read outloud one of my essay answers as an example of a well written essay. ME? Serioulsy? I could feel my face getting red. She didn't say my name thankfully. It feels great to be recognized, but there's something so awkward about grades and being singled out. Something about others looking or acting with you differently. Something about anonymity with grades just feels better. It was a strange mix of feelings. I was proud. I AM proud of how well I did on both exams considering the extreme brain load it required. I've never been at the "top" quite like this. I've always been near the top with a comfortable distance and room for improvement. At least for that moment today, I tried on new shoes. We'll see if I can learn to walk or even run in them. ;)

Fall Schedule

Today I register for Fall classes. I've got 5 prerequisites remaining for UT and they are all equally brain intensive. So I've settled on Microbiology, Nutrition and Genetics for this fall. Unfortunately, it looks like ACC requires ANOTHER PREREQUISITE in order to take their Genetics class. So I'm hoping to get the scoop this morning from an advisor to see if the prerequisite class is required or I can swing it without. As much as I would love to be taking Microbiology AND the ACC prerequisite of Cell and Molecular Biology at the same time (sarcasm, yes.), I'd rather just focus on my UT pre-req's and get on with it.

Another fun piece of my journey I realized today is that I have everything to complete my application to UT. I didn't realize the GRE was actually for UT and not my nursing application. So aside from filing my online application and paying the simple $50 bucks.... application ONE is as good as done. Not sure when I'll actually have time to tackle that since Anatomy continues to pummel me with unbelievable amounts of information. Every minute counts.

My next Lecture exam is Tuesday... Skeletal, Muscular and Nervous Systems. Followed by Lab Pracical 2 on Thursday, 24th. The waves just keep on coming in.

So, after exhaustive research on options for this Genetics class. I can either take it online pay out of state tuition (only options from UT's approved list are out of state), take it at UT or Texas State but they both require pre-requisites as well - so that doesn't really solve anything, or stick with ACC and its one pre-requisite of Cell and Molecular Bio and the bargain tuition. The big stinker is both Microbiology and Cell and Molecular have a nice big 3 hour lab once a week. So my fall schedule will be more like 5 classes really. Wow. Here we go!

I DID IT!

Lab Practical Exam 1 is done! I did equally as well on it. I couldn't be happier. I've got a good base now so if a future test messes me up, hopefully I can still make out alright. Such a relief! I'm celebrating with a glass of wine and probable nap to follow on the couch. Hope I can get a few winks before Henry wakes up!

First exam

WHEW! First test is over and done! There's nothing better than the feeling after you finish a test and do pretty well. I was one of the last ones to turn in my test, which hasn't changed since high school. I'm slow and methodical; so you can see why I hate standardized timed tests! Tomorrow, we also have an exam, a lab practical. She sets up 25 stations with either a microscope, model or diagram and she asks us to identify 2 items from each station. Sounds pretty straight forward, yet there's the added twist of only having 1 minute at each station. ARGH, we're back at timed tests! I know I did well today on Exam 1. Let's hope things go as well with Lab Practical 1. Wish me luck!

new school supplies

No new #2's, no new pens, no new notebooks, no new backpack or colored pencils and I recycled my old binders and divider tabs ... to save up for this... and I LOVE IT! So much of classes these days are interactive; it was the obvious school supply that I needed the most.

Dusting off the old pencil case

That's right. Mom's back in school. I've got my sights on a MSN (Master's in Science in Nursing) from UT. They are one of the few programs in the country that allow you to get your MA without having to get a BA in Nursing. So, off I go. The program looks fierce and demanding yet exhilarating and I'm ready to tackle it.

But first, I must get in.

And in order to get in, I've got the long and grueling task of preparing not one but two applications. I have to be accepted into UT as well as the Nursing Graduate School.

One bit of beautiful news is that I have completed my GRE requirement. YES! Luckily, the nursing program doesn't require a strict grade on the GRE and I made it just by a hair over what they consider a decent enough grade not to require a retake. I was incredibly relieved to get that piece out of the way before starting classes; seriously seriously relieved. I loathe standardized testing.

Currently, I am busy rockin' my way through BIO 2404 = ANATOMY at ACC! I am lucky to have some solid knowledge in this subject, but so many details are in the serious depths of my memory banks. Summer classes are incredibly dense and fast. So after M-F with 3 hours of lecture and lab, it's daily reading, questions, finish labs and get ready for new material the next day.

Out of 24 students in my class, 22 are heading toward nursing!