My Husbands Road to Nursing

YeHaw

2010-09-28T10:50:00.000-07:00

You passed, WoooHoo. I know you would have like a higher score, but you did it! You did awesome in 3 of the 4 sections including scoring off the charts in Science! See it is your calling. Math on the other hand...not so much. BUT it was more from lack of time then lack of ability. Had you skipped the hard stuff (aka percentages) and gotten to the algebra portion I think you would have rocked. So the next step is getting your application in!!!

TEAS

2010-09-13T09:37:00.000-07:00

ACK!! You are taking the TEAS test today. I am seriously freaking out. The only way I'd be more nervous is if I was taking it myself and honestly I think I'd actually be less nervous. Why, because I'd be in control. Remember to eat a good breakfast, relax, breath, and don't stress.

Why am I so nervous, because it's the entrance exam and you can only take it twice. Yes twice, or you can not apply to the RN program, at least not at Palomar.

But you will pass, and you will do great. And in less then 12hours it will all be behind us.

Summer has come and gone

2010-08-26T10:38:00.000-07:00

Just like that Summer session has come and gone. You did end up getting 3 A's and a B in your Fall classes. You took History over the Summer, in 6 weeks, and got an A in that as well. I'm not sure if my extra credit book report helped or if you would have gotten an A anyhow, but you did good. Now you're in your first week of the Spring semester and taking a light load. The second part of History and PE, which is really just a cheap way for you to be able to work out at the gym.

The biggest thing you have going is your TEAS test during the second week of September. Everything else is taking a backseat to that right now. Study as much as you can without over studying and you will do well. I know you are so nervous because if you do not pass, you can not continue, but I think you'll be fine.

One Week

2010-05-12T09:38:00.000-07:00

Wow time flies! My last posting was your first month of school and here it is your last week of school, crazy. I guess it's been pretty uneventful. You did get settled in and in fact your classes have been pretty darn easy. Which I figured they would be after those two science classes. Honestly the next time you will have tough classes will be once you're in the program, then we better watch out. So next week is finals You currently have an A+ in Reading and Sociology and not certain in English and RTV, but I'm sure it's a B and an A respectively. You're pretty much guaranteed an A in the first two and the other two will depend on your final papers and your final. Yippie for good grades to up that GPA!!! It will really help when trying to apply for the nursing program...again. (a post for another day)

Summer school starts in June and you will have 6 weeks, I think it is, of History followed in the Fall by History II and Speech, fun! I might have to make you throw in Chem or Spanish so you're full time.

You're getting there!

Relax

2010-02-03T11:03:00.000-08:00

Try to relax. This is the way you feel for the first month or so, every semester. It will get easier, you will get into a rhythm. Just take a deep breath and chill. I know it doesn't help that two of your classes switched teachers, but you gotta make the best of it. We thought this semester would give you a minute to breath, but it looks like we were wrong. You will be better because of it. Better prepared for your life as a nursing student.

Yippie It's over!!!!

2009-12-29T12:11:00.000-08:00

Your classes are finally done. In three weeks you'll be at it yet again, but this time it will be all general ed classes towards your AA. But, you did decide to take a full load, and then some. Yea, you're a bit crazy.

So next semester you've got English (last one), Reading (to help with speed), Sociology (marriage and family), and Radio and Televison (it's a humanities class, need I say more). 14 units!! But still the same or less hours of classes then last semester. Interesting.

So after much stress and one teacher telling you several times, "you only need a C in both classes to qualify for the program"...You got two B's!!! I really do think you could have aced both classes had you taken them seperately. Oh well, it was the difference between getting on the waiting list this semester, or in another 6 months!!! You made the right decision.

Hope you get a chance to relax while you can. If not there's always the summer. Oh that's right, your going to school then too, and will possibly be working. Yuck.

Doctor

2009-11-19T09:09:00.000-08:00

So you may ask "why not a Dr.?" Well I can sum that up pretty easily. Length of school vs. age, lol AND did you know you have to get straight A's in the science prereqs to even be considered for Med School?

My husband was talking to a student who he bought his Anatomy book from. She was a Dr. in Romania. When she came to the states, all her schooling was disregarded. She.was.a.doctor! She had to start all over again and take all the same prereqs as my husband is. She is currently in the nursing program at the local State U. Why only nursing? Because she did not get all A's on her prerequs. I really think I should remind my husband of this, because while he really had high hopes for A's, it's looking like they will be B's maybe even C's, but even a DOCTOR did not pass these classes with A's. How is that possible?

Oh and I'm sure he would also tell you it's because Drs. are asses and deal with paperwork, not the patient.

Right Now!

2009-11-19T08:48:00.001-08:00

I started this blog suddenly, when my husband suddenly wanted to go to school. And I mean suddenly. Sure, he had talked about it and said "I want to go to school" but he had been doing that for years. Then one day he said "I really want to go to school next semester and just take a class" Well next semester was in like two weeks, literally. So we signed him up and started to look for classes he might be able to take. He couldn't sign up for English or Math because he'd have to take a placement test and it was too close to the beginning of the semester for that. We got lucky, really lucky actually, and found an open Psych class.

Wonderful, first time at school in 20yrs and he's taking Psych. And he did really well! Started studying hard, even had to write a paper, and got a B in the class. Not bad for getting in the groove. Game on!

Now here we are and he has now finished all his Math and will conquer his last English class next semester. He'll be finished with his science prereqs in December and will only have GE classes to complete while waiting to be called into the nursing program.

Oh and that placement test...did I mention it had been 20yrs? It was like starting all over again. PreAlgebra and beginning English. He has since finished all three Math classes but will need one more later, if he chooses to get his BSN, which he has already decided he will. He has taken 1 of 2 English classes he needs. Oh and that lucky Psych class, it's required for the nursing program so a class that he took just to start going back to school was not wasted. Phew.

He's come a long way.

Week?!?

2009-11-16T16:07:00.000-08:00

Oh who knows, the days are flying so fast. You only have 4 more weeks left in the semester. You have come so far, even if you question yourself.

You have stuck with both classes and all I can say is WOW!!! You study your ass off every day and it shows. You are currently pulling B's in both classes despite your teacher telling you several times that you only need a "C" to get into the program. She's a great teacher and all, but why does she keep saying that? You just keep telling her you don't want to settle for a C!

You are down to the final tests and scientific papers in both classes. As well as the NLN exam in Micro. These last four weeks are going to be rough. You will be cranky, as will I.

I say bring on Spring, where you can hopefully relax a little and bath in glory of having these classes behind you. Oh wait....Must study for the TEAS test, never mind.

Week Two

2009-09-04T11:07:00.001-07:00

Did you bite off more then you can chew?

Hey I should write a poem :) Oh, maybe just a hiku

Off to school you go
Information crams your head
All to be a nurse

Hey look at that!! I obviously have time on my hands today or lack of a desire to work.

So your homework is immense, your classes are intense. I'm on a roll! lol

Seriously though. Every time I talk to you after Physio you sound downtrodden. Thankfully after Micro you seem better. So at least you feel good about one of them. I have a feeling you are going to get burnt out sooner rather then later, but you swear you're going to stick to it. You do have a drive.

Week One

2009-08-27T09:58:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day of the first week of classes. You got into Microbio two days before school started, which brought my stress level down a bit and made it easier to see which Physio classes you could crash, which was 3 of the 4 offered. :) Yippie! However their crash requirements for these classes are somewhat strict and I worried about you getting in. This is all a moot point now seeing as you got into the very first class you crashed. You must be doing something right.

So this semester it's Microbio and Physio. Can it be done? Yes. Will it be hard? Yes. Will you be so relieved when it is just over? Absolutely! I know this semester is going to be hell on the both of us, but I'm trying to go in with my eyes wide open. The teacher told you that these classes are taught at University level classes, not JC and I know right now you are freaking out a little, but just take it day by day. You can do this!!! You have support and help from people around you and you will succeed.

Now I just hope your buddies from Anatomy & Bio don't get a free ride with their teachers and cause you a lot of frustration.

Goodbye Summer

2009-08-05T11:33:00.000-07:00

Wow time flies! Well that Physio class got switched to an Anatomy class and thankfully you got in. Oh yeah, and your final is today and tomorrow. lol. I do lag a bit.

I can tell you're burnt out cause you're extra loving...I mean cranky!!! This school thing is hard on the both of us, but hopefully you will have a career you love when you're done.

So tomorrow Anatomy ends, and you're currently getting an A. Good job! It's hard to learn the entire body in 8 weeks, even though it has felt much longer. So you get two weeks off and then your back at it!! Unfortunately you have to crash classes (Physio & Microbio) yet again, which is truly nerve wracking for me. Best case scenario, you get both classes and concentrate on school for one more semester, get on the list a semester sooner and then get another job while you wait to get called for the nursing program. Second best, you get into one of the science classes and take other classes for the GE stuff, take the second class in the Spring and get on the list as expected.

Either way, you know I'm here for you.

Plans Change

2009-05-04T12:22:00.000-07:00

Here comes May and while I don't see any employment plans on the horizon, we're doing better then I expected and I haven't even stressed about it all yet. That's a first. I think we can make it through the summer with you concentrating on school and reevaluate the work issue come August.

I really, truly hope you get into the Physiology class. It will help you get where you want to be quicker and help you feel like you're accomplishing something, plus you really like your teacher. I know it will be grueling and most of your days will be spend studying when not in class, but you can do it!

Forgotten Post

2009-03-30T11:04:00.000-07:00

I forgot to ever post that although you getting laid off, in Feb, was a bit nerve wracking, maybe it was a blessing in disguise. The home owner was a jerk and draining you emotionally and physically. Concentrate on school and get through this semester with your sights set on FT employment again come May.

Semester from ?!?

2009-03-30T10:58:00.000-07:00

I would say hell, but I have a feeling this is just the tip of the iceberg. You are quite stressed about these two classes and I'm hoping once they're done that you won't be so grumpy. I know you're sick of Math but it will be over soon. You're doing great and getting B's in both these classes even though you feel like your doing horrible. We've already discussed you getting into a better study routine, now we just need to get it into place so you don't feel like your studying all day every day, which just isn't the case.

I'm frustrated, you're frustrated and it's taking a toll on us. Let's work together to fix it.

Get Back to Work :)

2009-01-19T14:15:00.000-08:00

Well tomorrow you start your next semester. I wish you much luck and you know you have all of my support. Continue to look at all that you have accomplished and not what you have left, but keep trekking forward!

Home

2009-01-09T14:59:00.001-08:00

I just have to say, that as much as I enjoy having you home, it's really weird to me for you to be home. For the last year you've been going to school or recovering from surgery. I'm now use to being able to run an errand after I pick up J, but now you're waiting at home for us. It's nice, just weird. I know in two weeks you'll be gone 4 days a week again, so I'm glad you're here while you can be.

Final Grades

2008-12-29T11:20:00.000-08:00

We are still waiting for the grades on the finals, but we do know that Ryan got B's in both classes this semester, English and Beginning Algebra. Good job sweetie! Now it's on to Intermediate Algebra which is your last math class and Biology, your first of many science classes. I hope these two classes plus working FT is not too much of a strain, but I have faith in you.

Essay

2008-11-17T09:39:00.000-08:00

So this is your third essay that you are suppose to have written for your first, of two, English classes. Every time you have had weeks to complete the rough draft to bring in for peer review, and both times you have waited until an hour before class. Can someone say Procrastination? Please start applying yourself now. For your grades and my sanity!

Yet another test

2008-11-17T09:38:00.000-08:00

Now this time you think you did well, we'll have to see how that plays out. I hope you get your grade tomorrow. Our thoughts were with you during the test.

Another Test

2008-10-26T23:47:00.000-07:00

So you came home from your second algebra test and was certain you bombed it. Well babe that stinks, but...you got a mid "B" awesome job, keep at it. We're proud of you. And I know you feel better about yourself because of all this.

Practice Final

2008-10-02T09:23:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of class the teacher for Eng told them that her only goal was to get them to pass the final. So every few weeks they do a practice final, which consists on reading a short paper and writing a paper about it, kind of like a summary. My dh was worried he was doing horrible because he felt put on the spot, having to write a 500-700wd paper in 1.5hr. He brought home the scoring and they score 1-5. On the first paper he got back, he got a 4! Good Job.

First Grades

2008-09-29T16:02:00.000-07:00

So he just got his first grades for this semester. An A- on his first English paper since high school and a B+ on his first Algebra test. Doing good, but I know you can do better. :)

My suggestions...Take more then 1.5-2hrs to write a paper and check your math work! Didn't I specifically tell you to do that before you left for the test?!? And on a more serious note, no more family emergencies the day of the test either. I'm sure that didn't help your concentration.

Totem Pole

2008-09-03T10:04:00.000-07:00

Well, since my husband never went to school after high school, like 20+ yrs ago, talk about being out of practice, he is currently the low guy on the totem pole. He has lots of Math and English he has to complete before he can take the actual prereqs. Thankfully he has one Math class behind him, one in the making, and one more to go. He also has one English class in the making and one more to go.

He has been pretty excited about his grades thus far. B in Psyc which could have been an A had he applied himeself, but first class in over 20yrs, not bad. A in fast track/summer Pre-Algebra class. Good Job Babe, you're on a roll.

Never worry about what you have left, but at what you've already acomplished.

Optimistic

2008-09-02T11:31:00.000-07:00

This is me being optomistic and supporting of my husband. He is NOT currently a nursing student, but he wants to be. He just has to get through these pesky prerequsits, not to mention the 1.5-2yr wait list for the program.

Which brings me to one question. If Nursing is in such high demand and so many people want to complete the program why arn't more schools offering it or the existing schools offering a larger program. Heck why should I complain he still has other classes to finish.

I hope over the coming months/years(ouch) that I will be able to brag about his accomplishments and how proud I am of him, but all I can say right now is thank you for wanting to be better for US.