I’m in my 6th week of nursing school and thought I would share some thoughts while I have two seconds. The University of Texas-Arlington program I’m in is an accelerated 15 months for a BSN {bachelor of science in nursing}.
Here are some things I adore about the program:
1. The classes are online. Hello convenience. I LOVE this aspect, especially with a family.
2. We have proctored tests at UTA on Wednesday afternoons, labs on Saturdays, and hospital rotations on Sundays.
3. My particular hospital group’s labs are held at the UTA Smart Hospital which is nothing short of amazing. The Smart Hospital mimics a real hospital with a 7-bed ER unit, a 4-bed Med Surg unit, etc… I feel so lucky that we are at the Smart Hospital {most groups have labs at their hospital} because of the resources.
4. I love my clinical group. There are 10 of us. We’re in various life stages but all feel passionate about nursing and help each other out.
5. My first clinical instructor rocks. She has been a nurse for 40 years and the amount of knowledge she has blows my mind. She’s supportive, smart, kind, and jokes around a lot. How can you get better than that?
6. With this program, you jump right in. I guess there’s not much time to dilly-dally because it’s over in the blink of an eye. I’ve already learned how to do blood pressure, bed baths, sterile dressings, catheters, nasogastric tubes, stoma care, etc. In 6 weeks. That’s crazy. I have my first final Wednesday in Health Promotions and then I will wrap up Assessment and Foundations in April. PS – as it turns out, nursing tests are hard.
7. Everything we learn is directly applied {reading it, listening to it, practicing it, and then doing it in real life}.
Everything hasn’t been easy though and I don’t want to make it sound like that. Here are some things that I’m still adjusting to…
1. The amount of information presented each week is OUT OF CONTROL. I do my best to pick out the important parts and focus there but I’m always wondering if I skipped over something I should have spent more time on.
2. Driving. UTA is an hour away {I drive there twice a week} and the hospital I’m doing my rotation at is an hour and twenty minutes {I drive there once a week}. The weekend drive actually isn’t too bad because I leave at 5:45am on Saturdays and 5:15am on Sundays so it’s not like I hit any traffic. But OUCH. I am not used to getting up during the 4am hour.
3. I miss Brad and the girls. They have been really great but it’s hard with me gone all day Saturday and Sunday {I get back about 5:30pm}. Brad and I are both so tired by the time I get home and let’s just say the girls are still ready and rearing to go. And I miss my friends {hi guys – promise I’ll be social again someday}.
Things I have grown to love over the last 6 weeks even more…
1. Lysol. I leave my nursing shoes in the garage after I spray them down with Lysol. I’ve totally thought about spraying myself from head to toe with Lysol too but I think that might be excessive {to admit, anyway 
}.
2. Headbands. They keep little wispy deals from falling in my face when I’m leaning over a patient.
3. Coffffeeeee. Mmmmmm…. Two things about this picture {my hand looks really odd and those are not my Sour Patch Kids although I kinda wish they were}.
Anyway, I’m sure I’ll have more thoughts later but overall I have no doubt nursing is exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Harper has taken her diaper off and is wearing it as a hat as I type, so I’m outta here… ha! That about sums this balancing thing up.
Jenny
Hi, Jenny! We miss you sewing, too! But, it’s temporary, we know. Sounds like a fun program and the best way to learn – thrown into it and making it happen. You’re going to be a terrific nurse.
I don’t know how you do it but I’m so dang proud of you….people will be SO lucky to have you as a nurse! My mom really wanted me to follow in her footsteps but then the Chemistry/Math/Science got the best of me! Hah!!! My MIL is also a retired nurse so I’m surrounded! It’s a very tough field, however, my mom always said it gives you SO many choices with your schedule and with three young children, you are definitely making one of the best decisions ever! Keep up the great work girl…I’m rootin for ya and hang in there! God bless! :O)
Thank you so much for the update. I’m planning on starting nursing school when my youngest starts kindergarten (so in 4 years) but it’s so great to hear about your experience. I’m in awe of you doing this with 3 little ones. I guess you can do anything for 15 months, right? Well good luck with your exams and keep us posted. I too miss your sewing projects but look forward to hearing about your new adventures.