With the application deadlines approaching, I have noticed my anxiety level slowly inching up day by day by day. It didn't help matters at all to find out yesterday that the university does not yet have all my transcripts. So, I've been sending rush orders (when oh when will I ever learn) and just hoping things arrive as they should.
Plus, today is a double-whammy test day...O-Chem (did not do as well as I'd hoped...boo) and Stats. My English class is coming to a close in the next couple of weeks or so and I will be SO GLAD to have those tasks out of my hair!
You know that feeling when you feel like you're either on the verge of crying or throwing up? That's kinda how I feel today...the three coffees I've had so far probably haven't helped. I think I will breathe a BIIIG sigh of relief once all my apps are in and I can just RELAX. Of course, then the waiting will drive me crazy, but it will be a different kind of crazy altogether.
Peace out!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
My Essay, CPR and My First Nursing Gadget!
So, I thought I would show you guys my essay that I wrote for one of the programs I am applying to. Let me know if, in the words of Meredith Grey, you would "Pick me...choose me!"
*****
When I graduated from college in 1994, I wanted a career that was fun. With this goal in mind, I pursued a career in advertising. Now that I am older, my priorities have shifted and I now aspire to have a career that is a direct extension of my values. It is of great importance to me that what I choose to spend my time and energy doing is of value to someone besides just me. I want my existence on this earth to matter to someone. I want to know that someone's day was better because I was there. I think we all have a responsibility to each do our part to make the world a better place. Spending the past fifteen years writing advertisements has, in hindsight, not afforded me the personal growth and enrichment that I find so valuable. It is my desire to now devote my energy to a more meaningful career, and there is nothing more meaningful for me than caring for others.
To me, nursing is an irresistible collage of compassion and science. It blends the fascinating complexity of the human body with our most fundamental need to care for one another. Being a nurse will grant me a front row seat at some of the most monumental moments in life. It will allow me to witness both birth and death, courage and recovery, joy and sorrow. I cannot envision an honor more great, a purpose more noble or an adventure more compelling than being a nurse.
*****
On another note, got my Healthcare Provider CPR card today. Whoo-weee! Though it would stink if someone actually collapsed in front of me, it would be pretty cool to try my new skills. The class was supposed to go from 8-12, but thankfully I got out around 11:30-ish. I had a test at 1:00 in Anthropology so I was able to grab a quick bite at the crepe place next door to the college beforehand. As for the test...I think I killed it. Stay tuned to find out!
Annnnd, I am happy to report that I am now the proud owner of a red Littmann Master Classic II Stethoscope! My husband got it for me through his job, so I am excited! I hear these are fabulous 'scopes, and I've already been listening to the heart and lungs of anyone who will hold still. Of course, I have no idea what I'm doing, but it feels very "nurse-y" and I like it!
*****
When I graduated from college in 1994, I wanted a career that was fun. With this goal in mind, I pursued a career in advertising. Now that I am older, my priorities have shifted and I now aspire to have a career that is a direct extension of my values. It is of great importance to me that what I choose to spend my time and energy doing is of value to someone besides just me. I want my existence on this earth to matter to someone. I want to know that someone's day was better because I was there. I think we all have a responsibility to each do our part to make the world a better place. Spending the past fifteen years writing advertisements has, in hindsight, not afforded me the personal growth and enrichment that I find so valuable. It is my desire to now devote my energy to a more meaningful career, and there is nothing more meaningful for me than caring for others.
To me, nursing is an irresistible collage of compassion and science. It blends the fascinating complexity of the human body with our most fundamental need to care for one another. Being a nurse will grant me a front row seat at some of the most monumental moments in life. It will allow me to witness both birth and death, courage and recovery, joy and sorrow. I cannot envision an honor more great, a purpose more noble or an adventure more compelling than being a nurse.
*****
On another note, got my Healthcare Provider CPR card today. Whoo-weee! Though it would stink if someone actually collapsed in front of me, it would be pretty cool to try my new skills. The class was supposed to go from 8-12, but thankfully I got out around 11:30-ish. I had a test at 1:00 in Anthropology so I was able to grab a quick bite at the crepe place next door to the college beforehand. As for the test...I think I killed it. Stay tuned to find out!
Annnnd, I am happy to report that I am now the proud owner of a red Littmann Master Classic II Stethoscope! My husband got it for me through his job, so I am excited! I hear these are fabulous 'scopes, and I've already been listening to the heart and lungs of anyone who will hold still. Of course, I have no idea what I'm doing, but it feels very "nurse-y" and I like it!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Application Craziness
As part of my journey to becoming an RN one must test one's patience and good nature by undergoing the application process. Here is what mine entails:
1) Ordering transcripts for RUSH delivery because I can't do anything in advance, that would make too much sense!
2) Ordering catalog descriptions for all pre-reqs and co-reqs that I took out of state
3) Taking the TEAS exam (scored in the 99th percentile!)
4) Taking a test to prove my reading proficiency (killed it!)
5) Getting CPR certified...not just the regular CPR, but one for healthcare professionals (doing that tomorrow)
6) Meeting with counselors at two different colleges
7) Traisping all over campus getting my out-of-state pre-reqs signed off by the dean of each department
9) Re-taking the TEAS exam (first time was a charm...why mess with a good thing?)
10) Writing an essay about why I want to be an RN (daaaamn good essay!)
10) Studying for and taking the GRE (December 1st...gulp)
Most of this has been accomplished in the past couple of weeks, so yeah...I've been pretty busy.
On top of that I am taking four classes this semester...my final pre-reqs for my top-pick BSN school: A survey course of o-chem and bio chem, Stats, English Composition, and Cultural Anthropology. The good news is, my English class is half a semester, so I'm almost finished! I just have one more big paper to write, and then my final assignment is to re-write my first essay...cake! October 15th is also the deadline for the rest of my apps, so come October 16th, I will be feeling a lot less stress! I have decided that taking my A&P II class over the summer was actually a really good thing...now all my other classes seem so sloooooow. I needed a break!
So here is the application plan...I have to keep it somewhat anonymous so that I don't eventually break any HIPAA rules later on when I start working with patients.
Top pick: State school by my house...they have a regular BSN and an Accelerated Second Bachelor's...Either one would be great, but I'm kind of scared of the accelerated part, so I'm hoping for the two-year BSN.
Second pick: Local ADN program that works in conjunction with an awesome local hospital.
Third pick: ADN programs at various CCs in the area.
Decision dates are around the end of November...so we's gots some waitin' to do ya'll.
Peace!
1) Ordering transcripts for RUSH delivery because I can't do anything in advance, that would make too much sense!
2) Ordering catalog descriptions for all pre-reqs and co-reqs that I took out of state
3) Taking the TEAS exam (scored in the 99th percentile!)
4) Taking a test to prove my reading proficiency (killed it!)
5) Getting CPR certified...not just the regular CPR, but one for healthcare professionals (doing that tomorrow)
6) Meeting with counselors at two different colleges
7) Traisping all over campus getting my out-of-state pre-reqs signed off by the dean of each department
9) Re-taking the TEAS exam (first time was a charm...why mess with a good thing?)
10) Writing an essay about why I want to be an RN (daaaamn good essay!)
10) Studying for and taking the GRE (December 1st...gulp)
Most of this has been accomplished in the past couple of weeks, so yeah...I've been pretty busy.
On top of that I am taking four classes this semester...my final pre-reqs for my top-pick BSN school: A survey course of o-chem and bio chem, Stats, English Composition, and Cultural Anthropology. The good news is, my English class is half a semester, so I'm almost finished! I just have one more big paper to write, and then my final assignment is to re-write my first essay...cake! October 15th is also the deadline for the rest of my apps, so come October 16th, I will be feeling a lot less stress! I have decided that taking my A&P II class over the summer was actually a really good thing...now all my other classes seem so sloooooow. I needed a break!
So here is the application plan...I have to keep it somewhat anonymous so that I don't eventually break any HIPAA rules later on when I start working with patients.
Top pick: State school by my house...they have a regular BSN and an Accelerated Second Bachelor's...Either one would be great, but I'm kind of scared of the accelerated part, so I'm hoping for the two-year BSN.
Second pick: Local ADN program that works in conjunction with an awesome local hospital.
Third pick: ADN programs at various CCs in the area.
Decision dates are around the end of November...so we's gots some waitin' to do ya'll.
Peace!
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
So what is 2,4 Dimethylhexane anyway?
With opening lines like that I plan to be ASTOUNDING at cocktail parties. So obviously this semester I am taking Organic Chemistry, but before you start freaking out let me clarify that this is a survey course of O-Chem and Biochem...so it's not as horrific as straight O-Chem. I've heard it's actually not that bad...AND, we get to make soap! Cool!
The other classes I am taking are: Introductory Statistics, Cultural Anthropology and English Composition. So, yeah...I'm pretty busy. I am also getting ready to start filling out my school applications...think positive thoughts for Sac State! I am totally nervous about Sac State...mainly because I do not get any of the extra points for things like knowing Mandarin or living in abject poverty. I may get two points since my parents didn't graduate from college...but I'm so old...does that even count anymore?
Plus, since I went to college in Kansas, will they accept all my transfers? Totally stressed!!!!! On top of that I have to take the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) on the 11th, and the GRE on the 21st or so. Am I ready for the GRE? NO! I have taken the TEAS once before, but I think I can do better score-wise. I got a 94.1 and I'm aiming for a 96%.
I am sooo ready for winter vacation! Tom and I are thinking of going to Oregon for a few days skiing at Mt. Ashland, a few days at the beach and a few days in the town of Ashland. Since I'll be starting at Sac State in January (positive thinking!), then this will be our last vacay for awhile.
Not sure if I updated ya'll on my A&P class from this summer. Totally rocked it. Another A ;-) Though that class was horrendously compacted and the lectures were insanely long there is one good thing about it...now even my two hour lectures seem amazingly short! Yay for that!
The other classes I am taking are: Introductory Statistics, Cultural Anthropology and English Composition. So, yeah...I'm pretty busy. I am also getting ready to start filling out my school applications...think positive thoughts for Sac State! I am totally nervous about Sac State...mainly because I do not get any of the extra points for things like knowing Mandarin or living in abject poverty. I may get two points since my parents didn't graduate from college...but I'm so old...does that even count anymore?
Plus, since I went to college in Kansas, will they accept all my transfers? Totally stressed!!!!! On top of that I have to take the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) on the 11th, and the GRE on the 21st or so. Am I ready for the GRE? NO! I have taken the TEAS once before, but I think I can do better score-wise. I got a 94.1 and I'm aiming for a 96%.
I am sooo ready for winter vacation! Tom and I are thinking of going to Oregon for a few days skiing at Mt. Ashland, a few days at the beach and a few days in the town of Ashland. Since I'll be starting at Sac State in January (positive thinking!), then this will be our last vacay for awhile.
Not sure if I updated ya'll on my A&P class from this summer. Totally rocked it. Another A ;-) Though that class was horrendously compacted and the lectures were insanely long there is one good thing about it...now even my two hour lectures seem amazingly short! Yay for that!
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