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.