Mission Accomplished

I'm done.  I have reached the end of my formal education.  What an amazing journey.  I honestly had no idea when I decided to go back to school where the journey would take me.  Who knew I would go from having a teeny inkling to become a nurse that I would far surpass that and actually obtain a Master Degree in Nursing?  Not me, that's for sure!

The story progressed like this:

January 2009:  I was busy working and helping to take care of my mom with all of her maladies caused by diabetes.  Suddenly the thought came over me that I should complete the classes to get licensed as a CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant).  I assumed that I was given that inspiration in order to better help my mother.

March 2009:  Woke up one day with the knowledge that I HAD to go back to school and become a registered nurse (RN).  It didn't make sense because I had a wonderful job that I planned to retire from and I was still investing a lot of time in helping my parents with medical issues.  No matter, I could not get rid of the feeling so I started looking at nursing schools and what I needed to do to get in.  Thankfully I had already completed the CNA so I didn't need to do it again.

May 2009:  Since I had to complete many prerequisites I enrolled at the local branch of Utah State University, where I  jumped right in with an online math class and anatomy.  I learned right from the start that it was going to be impossible to succeed without help from tutors.  It is very contrary to my nature to ask for help, but I was humbled during my very first classes!

January-April 2010:  I applied to several nursing schools only to be denied acceptance to all of them.  I was very confused because I felt so strongly that I was to go to nursing school.  I tried researching ALL of the other majors that USU offered, but couldn't find one that interested me.  All I wanted to do was go to nursing school.  As the end of the term approached I started to panic because I knew that I would have to wait another year before I could apply again to the nursing schools.  (Waiting a year at my age seemed almost like a death sentence!)  I should not have worried, the Lord had a plan and expected me to continue to exercise faith that it would come to pass.  One evening between classes one of the professors stopped to talk with me and happened to mention the name of a private nursing school that had just opened up.  He gave it a good recommendation.  I called and got information and just about died when I found out how much tuition was.  I discounted that school and started worrying again, but that school just wouldn't leave my mind.  I realized that if I attended that school I could get finished faster and then could start paying back student loans quicker.  The more I thought about it, the more it felt right to go to Eagle Gate.

August 2010:  Started nursing school at Eagle Gate College.  Found right from the start that this was the right school for me.  I quickly made friends and study partners.  I had a good relationship with the instructors.  IT WAS HARD!  But it was good.

October 2010:  Was sitting in the lobby at the school one day when one of the professors, Dr. Jean, stopped to talk with me.  During the conversation I disclosed how much I was enjoying school and how I envied the instructors for being able to teach nursing subjects to willing students.  She encouraged me to strive for the goal of becoming a nursing instructor.  I thought she was crazy!  I felt that I was so inadequate and that I could never learn enough to teach (remember this was only 2 months into nursing school).  I also expressed my age and fear that I could never complete enough school to teach before I was senile.  She laughed and told me that it would take me less than six years and encouraged me to contemplate it.  I just laughed inside and said under my breath, "that's not going to happen".

May 2011:  One of the instructors during class challenged us to continue our education and not just stop at getting the ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing).  I seriously had not thought before about continuing school, but starting thinking about how great it would be to get a bachelor's degree.

April 2012:  The great job I had and thought I would retire from was eliminated.  All of the sudden the need to get my RN was made clear to me.

May 2012:  Graduated from nursing school!  Was contemplating which school would be best to continue working towards a bachelor's degree.  Found Western Governor's Univeristy and decided that it would be the best option since I didn't know where I would be working and what my schedule would be.  I then found that WGU offers an RN to MSN program.  Very interested.

July 2012:  Got a great (although very tough) job working as a postpartum and nursery nurse at the local hospital.

September 2012:  Started classes at WGU in the RN to MSN program (with an option to stop at BSN).  Having all of the classes online was great in that I could do the work in my PJ's at my schedule.  However I missed the association with the other students and being able to talk face to face with the instructors and tutors.

September 2013:  Fell into the great opportunity to become a clinical instructor at Eagle Gate working one day a week for 7-10 weeks each semester advising students in the clinical setting.

February 2014:  Achieved the long awaited goal of obtaining a bachelor's degree.  Didn't stop to relish the accomplishment but continued working towards masters (weird!)


September 2014:  MASTER DEGREE IN NURSING WITH AN EMPHASIS IN EDUCATION!  It is truly amazing!  I honestly never thought that I could accomplish such a lofty goal!  I look at others who have advanced degrees and feel that they are so wise - I'm not even close to wise!  But, I did it!

I am now in another strange place.  I KNOW without a doubt that the Lord had a plan for me to achieve this goal, but I don't know exactly what He has planned for me now.  At this point I am not panicking about finding a job (luckily I have my wonderful job at the hospital) for I know that He will continue to guide me to where I am supposed to be.

Right now, I am going through the "end of school" depression.  Every day for the last 5 1/2 years has been devoted to something related to school.  I have put off doing boring, important, or chore-like activities in the name of school - and now I have no excuses!  I stare at the computer, because I have done that for hours each day, but now I don't have any pressing things to look at.  I should be enjoying the gift of time but I feel stressed and uptight.  I should clean, but don't seem to have the energy or motivation.  I should visit family members but would rather just stay home alone.  Today I decided just to relax all day and perhaps I'll feel better tomorrow.  Hopefully this depression is short lived!