Education plays an important role in nursing. From the time I thought about becoming a nurse, I was involved in school, continually challenging myself to do more and do better. Once I received my degree, I was on my way to making money. I could hold a job that paid well and commanded respect. I was a professional. I was a nurse. It didn’t take me too long to realize that an Associate’s degree was on the bottom rung of the RN ladder but with a family to raise, I didn’t feel ready to go back for my BSN. Oh, I tried to go back by taking a class or two every so often, but something would always get me sidetracked. After twenty-plus years as an ADN nurse, I finally went back to school for my BSN. Now that I am just about done (one more class to go, Yippee!), I’d like to share a few things I’ve learned along the way.
Commitment: I tried to go back before but I was too easily sidetracked. This time I was committed to do whatever it took to get the job done. I developed a routine for studying and writing papers that no one (well, almost no one) could change. I felt like I grew an umbilical cord to my computer. Where ever I went, it went. I even named it. Her name is Sam.
Help: I was terrified of Algebra (I still get shivers up and down my spine) and Statistics. Algebra beat me up once (black eye; couldn’t see for 3 days) and I was determined not to let it get me again. This time I found a tutor long before the class started and studied algebra every day just so it would be fresh in my mind. I even found a computer program to use and play with algebra when my assignments were completed. Somehow, I did it right this time because I passed Algebra I & II then went on to kick butt in Statistics but I’m no fool. I had help. I couldn’t have done it alone.
Mentoring: I have one official mentor (on paper) and about 3 real live ones. I needed someone to help me through the application process, the reimbursement process, even the picking-out-the-right-school-for-me process. They are the people who listened to me moan and groan about my work and said “You can do it” and meant it. They’d read over my papers and correct the dumb mistakes (OK, I’m not perfect). They’d give me the push (or kick in the tush) I needed when I needed it.
Timing: I went back on my time, not someone else’s. Yes, I am hard headed, been that way all my life and most likely won’t change now so I used that to my advantage. The timing was right for me despite the fact that I am not a twenty-something with fantastic texting ability know 50 ways to use a computer or any other electronic gadget. I am a fifty-something grandma who had to learn Power Point, Word (there’s symbols in there I’ve never seen before), and to use a computer for more than EBay shopping. The best part of being my age and going back to school is the kids are grown, I don’t have to cook if I don’t want to, and I can afford to have a housekeeper (not daily, please, be real). The only one vying for my attention is my significant other (I just love calling him that) and he knows how to cook.
Well, that’s it. I’ve learned other things but those are the biggies. Just six more weeks to go and I can do the walk, and I will do the walk with pride.
