So, as it turns out, nursing school is a lot of work...no really, A LOT! This can be evidenced in part by my lack of regular updates on here. I am feeling a little sad about that as I had hoped to do a better job of documenting my journey, but one of my new mantras is accepting my limitations. The good news is, I have officially survived my first month!
Is been quite an interesting journey thus far. The stress and volume of work is far greater than I anticipated. Luckily, I am beginning to settle in a bit and develop a flow. I have now taken a written exam in almost every class and have a little better idea of what to expect moving forward. Testing in this program is very different from the types of tests I am used to. This is in large part because the program is preparing us for the NCLEX exam and the way that exam is designed. It feels very different from what I consider to be "regular" science-based exams. These tests are very much about critical thinking. Often there is more than one right answer given and our task is to pick the best answer given the scenario. Takes some getting used to, but hopefully I am getting the hang of it.
As someone who has pretty much gotten all As in my college career since 1995 (we won't talk about my first stint in college back in 1988), it has been quite humbling to be in this program. First off, the grade scale is much more competitive. We need a 94% to get an A and anything below 75% is considered failing. Talk about pressure! (For the record, to date I have received one A, two A-s, a B+, and a B on my exams.) The testing feels non-stop...one, two, or three exams every week since the middle of September. Thankfully, we haven't had much in the way of super time intensive research/writing projects.
I'm also settling into a groove with some classmates. I've met lots of interesting people and have connected with some good study partners. That is also a change for me. I am really used to being a solitary student/studier. In many of my classes, it is almost necessary to study with at least one other person, particularly on hands on, skills based assignments. My first midterm is this Monday. It's in my Assessment class and basically we'll come in and draw a card with a sign or symptom and we have to do an appropriate, focused assessment on our lab partner based on the card. I'm not too worried about it, but I'm guessing I'll have some anxiety come Monday.
In other nursing school news, last week our group did our clinical orientation at Henry Ford Hospital. I was surprised how mellow the med/surg floor we'll be working on was. I think it will be a nice first clinical experience. We actually start our rotation next Friday. I'm actually really looking forward to that. I so prefer hands-on, practical learning to rote memorization and lectures (pharmacology and pathophysiology.)
It has been hard starting this program so far away from my friends and chosen family. However, I am so, so grateful for all the love, support and cheerleading I am getting via Facebook. Whenever I'm having a down moment and post about it, there is always someone, but usually multiple someones, who give me encouragement. Thank you all.
Peace and compassion...
Friday, October 1, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Scholarship
I just wanted to put a little post in regards to receiving a nursing school scholarship. I posted about it on Facebook when I found out, but wanted to mention it on here too.
So I applied for what felt like a million scholarships at WSU for the nursing program. I had all my info in before the deadline and then I began the wait. I waited and waited and waited. I kept checking my email and my online College of Nursing (CON) account...nothing.
Then one of my classmates posted on her Facebook that she had received a $10,000 scholarship. I was happy for her, but my heart sank because I still had not heard anything. Not even for one of the smaller scholarships.
So several days later, I stopped by my folks house to pick up my mail while I was in South Lyon for my mom's birthday and low ad behold, there was a scholarship letter! It was really amazingly lucky I picked up my mail that day, because the deadline for accepting and turning in the paper work was only two days later.
I received a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation New Careers in Nursing scholarship. The scholarship is for $10,000 ($5,000 each semester for the first year) and is totally needed by me! In addition to the scholarship, the Foundation also provided us with a Test Success book and CD and is requiring that the school have the eight of us who won the award, meet monthly and form a learning community. Very cool.
Thanks to everyone who believed in me and encouraged me!
Peace and compassion...
So I applied for what felt like a million scholarships at WSU for the nursing program. I had all my info in before the deadline and then I began the wait. I waited and waited and waited. I kept checking my email and my online College of Nursing (CON) account...nothing.
Then one of my classmates posted on her Facebook that she had received a $10,000 scholarship. I was happy for her, but my heart sank because I still had not heard anything. Not even for one of the smaller scholarships.
So several days later, I stopped by my folks house to pick up my mail while I was in South Lyon for my mom's birthday and low ad behold, there was a scholarship letter! It was really amazingly lucky I picked up my mail that day, because the deadline for accepting and turning in the paper work was only two days later.
I received a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation New Careers in Nursing scholarship. The scholarship is for $10,000 ($5,000 each semester for the first year) and is totally needed by me! In addition to the scholarship, the Foundation also provided us with a Test Success book and CD and is requiring that the school have the eight of us who won the award, meet monthly and form a learning community. Very cool.
Thanks to everyone who believed in me and encouraged me!
Peace and compassion...
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
The Hunt for Housing
My housing hunt began on Sunday, June 27 with a careful scouring of the Detroit area CraigsList ads. This of course was after looking into on campus housing options, which in addition to being more expensive, also would not allow me to have my cat.
Monday I made my first call and she wanted me to come see it that day. I programed my trusty GPS and off I traipsed to Detroit. I looked at the apartment and could tell the landlord was very proud of all the work she had put into it. It was a 2 bedroom, located in a fourplex on Philadelphia Street and was 1,000 sq feet. It wasn't bad and her phone seemed to be ringing nonstop with interested renters. The CL ad said the apartment was $400/mo and despite it being way bigger then what I need, it seemed like a good deal.
When she placed the ad, there were 3 units available. One had been reserved that morning, leaving two. She gave me my choice, coaxing me with offers of the better set of appliances and the unit with the brand new plumbing. Despite knowing I should never take the first thing I check out, I gave her all the cash I had on me, $35 to hold the upper east unit. We had plans to meet the next day to sign the lease for an August move in day. If I paid a year's worth of rent up front, she wouldn't charge me a deposit or pet fees and would even give me one month free. As we were trying to figure out what I would need to bring money wise the next day, it came out that the apartment was really $500 a month, the $400 was just a first month move in special. I still thought it was pretty decent for the price and left my $35 with her.
I decided since I was already down in the city I would check out a few of the other places I scoped out. I quickly realized I could pay less and live closer to campus. especially when taking utilities into consideration. I found a great little place on John R, but having learned my lesson, I did not commit and said I would be back on Wednesday if I decided to take it.
On Tuesday, I texted the landlord of the Philadelphia Street apartment and made an excuse for backing out (I'm not so good at conflict!) I scanned CL again and created a spread sheet to compare costs for the various places I was interested in looking at. I was feeling really good about the place on John R. It was about 2 miles from my main classroom building, but was on a bike trail that would eventually go all the way from campus to the Riverwalk. The neighborhood seemed pretty decent (all things considered) and it was 2 blocks from Tiger Stadium (I don't think I'll ever be able to call it Comerica Park.)
Today I plotted my route and was prepared to check out about four places before heading over to the John R apartment. It was a challenge getting a hold of people to actually show me their units. I finally decided to drive by several of them before deciding if I even wanted to see the inside. I ended up discounting several either becasue of their distance from school or becasue the "vibe" just didn't feel right to me. The last one I drove by was advertised as part of a Hippiesh Enclave on CL. I drove down the street and the vibe felt good. I tried calling the property manager's number again and left another message. I drove to my main classroom building, a mere six blocks away and an easy bike ride. He soon called me back and I took a look around inside.
Aside from being on the small side (but what can you expect from a studio!) it was just perfect. I immediately went to the bank, took out cash for a deposit and went back to reserve a rear corner unit on the second floor. I am thrilled to find a place that feels like it could be "home." As I left, I took a few pictures along the block.
So, after feeling somewhat depressed about my living prospects on Monday, I am feeling much more energized and hopeful. There is much I want to write about in terms of the poverty and the depressing *feel* of Detroit, but I will save that for another night. I am happy that when I return to Detroit from my July trip to Denver, I will have a place to call my own.
Peace and compassion.
Monday I made my first call and she wanted me to come see it that day. I programed my trusty GPS and off I traipsed to Detroit. I looked at the apartment and could tell the landlord was very proud of all the work she had put into it. It was a 2 bedroom, located in a fourplex on Philadelphia Street and was 1,000 sq feet. It wasn't bad and her phone seemed to be ringing nonstop with interested renters. The CL ad said the apartment was $400/mo and despite it being way bigger then what I need, it seemed like a good deal.
When she placed the ad, there were 3 units available. One had been reserved that morning, leaving two. She gave me my choice, coaxing me with offers of the better set of appliances and the unit with the brand new plumbing. Despite knowing I should never take the first thing I check out, I gave her all the cash I had on me, $35 to hold the upper east unit. We had plans to meet the next day to sign the lease for an August move in day. If I paid a year's worth of rent up front, she wouldn't charge me a deposit or pet fees and would even give me one month free. As we were trying to figure out what I would need to bring money wise the next day, it came out that the apartment was really $500 a month, the $400 was just a first month move in special. I still thought it was pretty decent for the price and left my $35 with her.
I decided since I was already down in the city I would check out a few of the other places I scoped out. I quickly realized I could pay less and live closer to campus. especially when taking utilities into consideration. I found a great little place on John R, but having learned my lesson, I did not commit and said I would be back on Wednesday if I decided to take it.
On Tuesday, I texted the landlord of the Philadelphia Street apartment and made an excuse for backing out (I'm not so good at conflict!) I scanned CL again and created a spread sheet to compare costs for the various places I was interested in looking at. I was feeling really good about the place on John R. It was about 2 miles from my main classroom building, but was on a bike trail that would eventually go all the way from campus to the Riverwalk. The neighborhood seemed pretty decent (all things considered) and it was 2 blocks from Tiger Stadium (I don't think I'll ever be able to call it Comerica Park.)
Today I plotted my route and was prepared to check out about four places before heading over to the John R apartment. It was a challenge getting a hold of people to actually show me their units. I finally decided to drive by several of them before deciding if I even wanted to see the inside. I ended up discounting several either becasue of their distance from school or becasue the "vibe" just didn't feel right to me. The last one I drove by was advertised as part of a Hippiesh Enclave on CL. I drove down the street and the vibe felt good. I tried calling the property manager's number again and left another message. I drove to my main classroom building, a mere six blocks away and an easy bike ride. He soon called me back and I took a look around inside.
Aside from being on the small side (but what can you expect from a studio!) it was just perfect. I immediately went to the bank, took out cash for a deposit and went back to reserve a rear corner unit on the second floor. I am thrilled to find a place that feels like it could be "home." As I left, I took a few pictures along the block.
The resident peahen strutting in front of my future building.
The community fire pit for the street! How cool is that?
Lots of peace signs on the streets and homes. My kind of place!
So, after feeling somewhat depressed about my living prospects on Monday, I am feeling much more energized and hopeful. There is much I want to write about in terms of the poverty and the depressing *feel* of Detroit, but I will save that for another night. I am happy that when I return to Detroit from my July trip to Denver, I will have a place to call my own.
Peace and compassion.
Friday, June 25, 2010
The Price of Becoming a Nurse
So today I officially received my letter of acceptance from Wayne State's College of Nursing. Included with the letter was an acceptance packet that outlined the myriad of things I need to have accomplished by August 13th. Now I knew there would be more hoops to jump through before starting classes, but I didn't anticipate how many there would be or how expensive it would end up being.
I think because I am now officially without income, this makes me more anxious than normal.
Here's the breakdown:
Grand total, not including tuition, books and all school specific fees: $559.50+. Yikes!
I'm working on taking deeps breaths and trusting that money will find its way back to me. Tomorrow I will be in my Professional rescuer class all day (9 am to 5 pm). Sunday I am planning to work on my scholarship applications. The deadline is July 15th, but I want them turned in ASAP. Hopefully I'll net a few, but I am really hoping to get one of the big $10k scholarships. Send out some good mojo for me!
Peace and compassion...
I think because I am now officially without income, this makes me more anxious than normal.
Here's the breakdown:
- Health clearance exam - $45
- Hep B immunization (if I can't find my original proof) - $70
- TB testing - $10
- Urine drug screen - $25
- TDAP - already have (whew!)
- Criminal background check - $28
- Liability insurance - $29.50
- CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer - $70
- Stethoscope and other essentials - $162
- Preliminary set of scrubs, warm-up jacket, and lab coat - $115
- College of Nursing id - $5
- Alliance for Clinical Experience - cost unknown at this time, but includes the following 3 modules
- HIPAA module
- OSHA module
- Bloodborne Pathogens module
Grand total, not including tuition, books and all school specific fees: $559.50+. Yikes!
I'm working on taking deeps breaths and trusting that money will find its way back to me. Tomorrow I will be in my Professional rescuer class all day (9 am to 5 pm). Sunday I am planning to work on my scholarship applications. The deadline is July 15th, but I want them turned in ASAP. Hopefully I'll net a few, but I am really hoping to get one of the big $10k scholarships. Send out some good mojo for me!
Peace and compassion...
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Departing Colorado
Somehow I managed to get up and get out the door only a little late from my target time. I left Arvada about 5:10 am. My timing seemed perfect...missed rush hour traffic in every major town I hit today. I was a bit concerned that Annabelle (my trusty Lesbaru) would have a hard time towing the trailer and all the weight, but we both settled into the drive fairly quickly and easily.
I drove into a beautiful sunrise this morning and as soon as the sun started to glare, overcast skies closed in. It was actually nice to not have the glare and also not have rain. It also meant that I did not have to use the air conditioning until late morning. That likely helped on gas mileage.
I really thought that I would have some sort of emotional release (read a good cry) as I left Denver, but surprisingly enough it did not happen. I certainly feel a good measure of sadness in leaving this state that has come to be home to me over the last 12 years. But, I also feel a good measure of excitement for this new leg of my journey. With age comes experience and wisdom and a certain amount of confidence too. I am certain that I will create community and connections, both through reconnecting with old friends and by making new ones. That certainty did not exist within me when I moved to Colorado 12+ years ago. That realization alone makes the move easier.
I also trust that the people in Colorado that I am meant to stay connected with, will stay connected. And I am learning to accept that sometimes the relationships I partake in are not always meant to last forever and that is ok. I can still remember those relationships for the good they brought during their time. I am working to let them go with love and compassion.
And now I am going to shower off the car traveling grime, get a light bite to eat, and settle in for some good sleep!
Peace and compassion
I drove into a beautiful sunrise this morning and as soon as the sun started to glare, overcast skies closed in. It was actually nice to not have the glare and also not have rain. It also meant that I did not have to use the air conditioning until late morning. That likely helped on gas mileage.
I really thought that I would have some sort of emotional release (read a good cry) as I left Denver, but surprisingly enough it did not happen. I certainly feel a good measure of sadness in leaving this state that has come to be home to me over the last 12 years. But, I also feel a good measure of excitement for this new leg of my journey. With age comes experience and wisdom and a certain amount of confidence too. I am certain that I will create community and connections, both through reconnecting with old friends and by making new ones. That certainty did not exist within me when I moved to Colorado 12+ years ago. That realization alone makes the move easier.
I also trust that the people in Colorado that I am meant to stay connected with, will stay connected. And I am learning to accept that sometimes the relationships I partake in are not always meant to last forever and that is ok. I can still remember those relationships for the good they brought during their time. I am working to let them go with love and compassion.
And now I am going to shower off the car traveling grime, get a light bite to eat, and settle in for some good sleep!
Peace and compassion
New Beginnings
So here it is 11:41 pm and I should be sleeping, preparing for the journey that lies ahead tomorrow, but instead I am writing. A friend asked me today how I was coping emotionally with my impending move. Truth is, in a lot of ways it hasn't really sunk in yet. As is often my nature, I have been focused on the hundreds of tasks, big and small that have needed to be accomplished.
Even though I knew I was moving away from Colorado and have been working on preparations since last November, I still don't feel like I am quite ready! I trust that things will all work out and I am becoming more accustomed, if not more accepting, of uncertainty. In many ways I feel like I am not quite done with Colorado, or perhaps it more that she is not quite done with me. In any case, I am trusting the process as best I can and letting the journey unfold.
So it is with this inaugural post that I begin to blog this new direction I am taking with my life. It was only last week (June 16th, at about 9:50 pm MST to be exact!) that I learned I had been accepted into Wayne State University's College of Nursing. I am not always that good about braggin' about myself, but I have to say this is a BFD! Last year only 25% of the eligible applicants were accepted. I am guessing the percentage is about the same this year, if not smaller. The program will be intense...16 months straight through with 17 credit hours the first semester alone.
As I mentioned earlier, I have been so task focused as of late that I really have not let the awesomeness of my acceptance sink in yet. I think I was so relieved to just finally have an answer and know generally what my immediate future holds, that I didn't take the time to enjoy, savor, and celebrate this accomplishment. My hope is that I will find ways to slow down, breathe and experience the joy that my life holds in a more conscious fashion.
So on that note, I will give myself a pat on the back for a job well done and will head to bed.
Peace and compassion...
Even though I knew I was moving away from Colorado and have been working on preparations since last November, I still don't feel like I am quite ready! I trust that things will all work out and I am becoming more accustomed, if not more accepting, of uncertainty. In many ways I feel like I am not quite done with Colorado, or perhaps it more that she is not quite done with me. In any case, I am trusting the process as best I can and letting the journey unfold.
So it is with this inaugural post that I begin to blog this new direction I am taking with my life. It was only last week (June 16th, at about 9:50 pm MST to be exact!) that I learned I had been accepted into Wayne State University's College of Nursing. I am not always that good about braggin' about myself, but I have to say this is a BFD! Last year only 25% of the eligible applicants were accepted. I am guessing the percentage is about the same this year, if not smaller. The program will be intense...16 months straight through with 17 credit hours the first semester alone.
As I mentioned earlier, I have been so task focused as of late that I really have not let the awesomeness of my acceptance sink in yet. I think I was so relieved to just finally have an answer and know generally what my immediate future holds, that I didn't take the time to enjoy, savor, and celebrate this accomplishment. My hope is that I will find ways to slow down, breathe and experience the joy that my life holds in a more conscious fashion.
So on that note, I will give myself a pat on the back for a job well done and will head to bed.
Peace and compassion...
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