Meet and Greet

Meet and Greet

My school put on an informal “Meet and Greet” for the incoming students a few weeks ago.  It should have been called “Panicked and Bug Eyed”.  All the incoming students, myself included, had the deer in headlights look about them (us).   We had the opportunity to meet some of the professors and mingle with current students.  It was very helpful to meet some of the professors, and to talk with current students.  They also fed us pizza! Delicious.  I had more questions then I realized and started spouting them off to many of the students.  “What’s the most overwhelming thing about this program? How is your commute? What do the uniforms look like? Are breaks really a break? What has been your favorite part?  Any advice?”  We all had to introduce ourselves and give a 30 second background of where we got our first degree, what it was in and where we currently live (in hopes of finding a carpool buddy).  I was amazed at the diversity of our cohort.  We have people who are world travelers, have multiple degrees and are all of various ages.  We all seemed to have similar feelings and can’t wait for the program to finally begin!

The current students, who all looked well, not starved, or exhausted and overall happy and healthy (I took a quick mental note of this!) had a common theme…this program is doable!  They also told us, “it’s hard, a LOT of work, but we will all do well.”   They also said how fast this year has gone.  I hope they are right!  I look forward to being a current student at the “Panicked and Bug Eyed” ahem, I mean “Meet and Greet” next April.

Mantra

This was my mantra back in July 2008.  I saw it in the a bookstore during the time my sister and I drove the10 hours from Michigan to Philadelphia over 4^th of July weekend to find an apartment.  M was going to grad school and I was making the move with her.  I never imagined I would live in Philly, or move 10 hours away from my family and friends.  That being said, my life is pretty incredible and I haven’t had a moment of regret about my decision to move.  I have used this quote to get me through experiences where I didn’t think I was actually capable or strong enough to get through.

1.      Moving to Philadelphia

2.      Working at Marathon Grill (and barely surviving!)

3.      Living in a “luxury apartment” infested with squirrels, a brief stint with no hot water and what felt like no heat. (we never found said “luxury”)

4.      Being a nanny to an adorable little boy with life threatening allergies.

5.      Taking the first steps in going back to school.

6.      Taking classes at the Community College of Philadelphia. (CCP still cannot stop meddling in my life even after I am no longer a student there!)

7.      Applying to nursing school, all the while never really believing I would actually be accepted.

8.      Being accepted into and accelerated nursing program, class of 2014.

I have done many things that I thought I could not do.  It still surprises me.  Looking back over that list, they don’t seem so scary or overwhelming anymore.  None of them compare to what I feel nursing school and actually being a nurse will be.  Nursing school will most likely be the hardest challenge of my 31 years.  Maybe the most rewarding?  We shall see.



Intro

With just about month left before my life is consumed by nursing school, I am taking this time to enjoy my almost lack of responsibility. Low stress, 4 day weekends, my last prerequisite that hasn’t become too overwhelming.  I’m taking full advantage of weekends with my wonderful wife.  Visiting with friends and family.  Cooking and baking.  Painting.  Home improvements.  Planting flowers and soon to be planting a garden.  Staying up late, not studying.   And finally, lounging on the couch watching t.v.  I know all too soon I’m going to be longing for these days and free time.

I’ve decided to start this blog to keep track of my experience through this program.  It will be an outlet for me to vent about frustrations and stress.  It will also be a way to share my journey with you, my family and friends.  Hopefully I will find this helpful and something interesting to look back on once I am finished. 

Here I sit, nerves already in full force, one month before I start an accelerated nursing program.  15 months from now I will be able to sign my name followed by two simple, but very important letters.  R.N.