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.