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.