August 30, 2010

Well, here's the update:

I was given the go-ahead by the head of the nursing department at Neosho to take my state test in Chanute on August 6th. Because our class ended two days before the state test was going to be given in Topeka, there would not have been enough time for our instructor, Deborah, to get the paperwork to the state as to who passed the class; etc. Everyone in the class was scheduled to then take it in Topeka on September 7th. I pleaded my case to Deborah (about how I lived on State Line and needed to take my test in Missouri also; plus how I am applying for the part time LPN program at JCCC and all the paperwork needs to be turned in by October 15th and waiting until September to take the test would really worry me) and she in turn plead my case to Tracy Rhine (department head for Neosho). Tracy gave two spots to Colin (another guy in my class) and me but asked us to keep it quiet.

Mom and I drove to Chanute the night before and spent the night. It was a nice little getaway for the two of us. She slept in while I went and took the test. Finally, two days ago, my name was listed on the KS site for Certified Nurse Aides. I have now sent the request to Missouri to take the challenge exam on their side also.

I am currently enrolled in Chemistry and muddling through. My mind is numb from trying to remember everything and it's only four classes into it but so far we've had a worksheet, homework and two quizzes and I still have an A. I just have to keep that up.

I was interviewed for the Research one year BSN program and even though I had not fulfilled the exact criteria to be considered, I gave a great interview and hoped that they would grant me an exception. (I had not completed two of my Sciences at the time of the interview and I only had 5 hours of Anatomy/Physiology and they require 6). In order to keep myself in the running, I enrolled in a Physiology class at JCCC. Well, I got my letter mid August from Research and, while not selected for the program, I was #9 on the waiting list. The good news is that they didn't exclude me....the bad news is that I'm #9...ugh.

I took my first class in Physiology today and about an hour into the three hour class, I realized I was in WAY over my head. I really had no idea what the teacher was talking about. Soooo, I was upset but THEN turned it around to reframe it in my mind. I'm not stupid or I wouldn't make straight As. I do not, however, have the science background needed for this course, which also means that I'm probably not prepared for the Research program. I'm so happy, actually, that I have now figured out, by process of elimination, that I will apply for all three programs at both JCCC and Penn Valley. And I'm dropping Physiology, which should allow me to get a part time job.

June 26, 2010

Well, I managed to achieve the "A" that I desperately needed in Anatomy and Physiology. I'm in the middle of my CNA class but didn't get in at JCCC. I ended up taking it through Neosho County Community College which meets in Lawrence twice a week. I thought it would be a "blow off" class and in some respects that's true. Not doing as much reading, studying for quizzes is not quite as taxing for my brain. However, the commute is kicking my butt (I eat terrible when I'm eating on the run, I don't get enough rest so I've quit getting up to work out), the actual hands-on portion of the class is out of my comfort zone (I cannot hear when I attempt to take blood pressures and wonder if I'll EVER get it!).

I've also applied and had my interview for an accelerated program at Research School of Nursing. If accepted (and that's a big if because they will have to grant me some exceptions), I would spend the next year busting my butt to get in all the pre-reqs that are required of this program. The following year would be an INTENSE year going to school full time but at the end I would get my BSN. Not sure how I will swing the price for the pre-reqs but the actual program is reimbursable if you work for an HCA Midwest hospital for 2 years. I will find out in August if accepted. I do feel my interview went well.

I'm enrolled in Chemistry for the fall....again. I would really like to get that over with.

Pounding Right Through the Prerequisites

Wow, I kind of forgot about this blog....I've been that busy with school. I'll recap what I've done so far:

I last posted just as I was starting Psychology (which I took because it was a pre-req for Penn Valley; I had taken it way back when but got a C so I retook it to up the grade). It was a fun class; I liked the people, it was interesting and best of all, I got an A!

In the spring of 2009, I took a mid semester class of Algebra. It was an introductory class (I had to take it because I bombed the math part of the entrance exams). Man, my head just doesn't like math...it was very challenging! But, drumroll, I got an A!!

In the summer, I decided to take two classes online. Word of advice: don't do it!!! I took Nutrition and Human Development. They almost killed me. It was 7 weeks of pure torture...tons of homework, LOTS of reading and, worst of all, timed tests! Anything timed stresses me out. But, get this....I got an A in both classes!

In the fall of 2009, I had slotted to take Chemistry. Chemistry stresses me out because when I took it in college way back when, it was my "diploma" class...meaning that if I didn't finally pass it, no diploma for me. Way back when, I took it a couple of times. I have conveniently blocked the specific grades out of my mind but I think it was F, D, and finally C. Regardless, science courses for the nursing program have to be current (within the last 5 years) so I have to take it again. I'm just hoping I'm a better student now. Well, DH decided to start commuting for his job between KC and Denver and that left me working full time and running two teens to all their many activities. Didn't think I could pull off a decent grade in Chem as well so I dropped it. In doing so, I almost lost my momentum for nursing school. The semester off was nice but then I really did feel trapped in my job.

In December, I revisited the idea of starting back up again. DH was getting disillusioned with the commute, the kids didn't want to move to Denver....it made sense for me to start to pursue nursing again. In doing so, I had to change community colleges because we are on the opposite side of the state line now. I waited a little too long to enroll and had to sweat a few bullets to get into the class I needed to proceed. BUT..I finally got in after a few others had dropped for lack of funds.

I'm now taking Anatomy and Physiology and...whewee!....it is HARD. We've had four tests so far and I'm still a little shocked that so far I'm pulling off an A.

So there we go....on Monday, enrollment opens for the summer and I'm a little stressed that there are only ten open spots for the ONE CNA class I can take. (Certified Nursing Assistant). I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll get in.

In the fall, I will take Chemistry (!) and then apply for the part time LPN program. If accepted, I will start in January. I will also be applying for the full time program (LPN) and the RN program. If accepted into either one of those, they will start in September of 2011. Which means that I will need to also take Microbiology in the summer of 2011.

Hopefully I won't wait so long to post this time.

I Wasn't Late to Class!

In fact, I was like the 3rd one there out of about 25 people. I packed my little school bag with the textbook, a couple of pens, a new notebook, a bottle of water and a couple of granola bars. (The class is 2 hours and 45 minutes so I thought I would get hungry!) Of course, the first thing I see is a sign that says no food or drink in the classroom. Next thing I figured out is that I left my reading glasses at home. Not good.

I was a little shell shocked to find out that instead of just studying and aceing the tests like I thought I would be doing, I have to do some of the assignments with other students! What?!

These are young kids, people! My group consists of Tracy (darling girl who has twin 5 year old daughters), Dominique (African-American sporting a Gnarls Barkley tee) and Ryan & Ben (two white boys who look exactly alike - I really don't know which one is which).

Okay, now that I've wrapped my head around this "working with other people" thing, I think it will be great. I've been in a rut lately due to no one at work to talk to so maybe this is an answer to my prayers.

Age is relative. I don't feel old so I must not be, right? In addition, when we introduced ourselves to the class, I realized most of them were also trying to get into nursing so these are my future co-workers.

Added bonus: they changed instructors at the last minute and she was unprepared for class thus we got out an hour and 15 minutes early!!!

It Officially Starts Today!

I'm sitting in bed on Saturday morning and my first class starts at 11:00. I quit my job as a flight attendant in August and have decided to go back to school as a nurse.

Truth is...I didn't really want to quit flying but I listened to everybody else tell me I SHOULD take the buy-out and now I feel like I've cut off my right arm. I'm working my first 40 hour work week job and HATE it. It's mind numbing work, I don't converse with anyone and I need more time off for "me" time.

So...I've heard that nursing offers a great schedule and terrific pay. It's practically recession proof, which is good in this day and time. I'm a little concerned about the blood and guts part of it but my friend told me that I can steer away from that part of it if I choose. I definitely choose.

I have to take some prerequisites in order to apply for nursing school and I'm enrolled in Psychology and Algebra. Algebra doesn't start until March (phew!) and Psych starts today. (Every Saturday until May)

I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. I'm sure I'll be the oldest in the classroom. I'll check in with you later.