Monday, December 1, 2008

My life

Ooo, bad blogger! I've been very distracted with something quite important. See, I've decided to pursue another career, Nurse Practitioner. Here in Burlington, VT, we have this great university, the University of Vermont, where you can choose from a variety of subjects and then put yourself out there to (hopefully) be selected. We're talking the Graduate College, my friends. We're also talking about only 16 people being accepted into the MEPN (Master's Entry Program in Nursing) program.

Four weeks ago my husband and I were talking about how we needed to get ourselves into better careers. We're feeling the economy's strain quite a bit. He's a carpenter, I'm a massage therapist, not exactly recession-proof jobs. Plus, we just picked ourselves up and plopped down here to start over again in a time when money is tight and pockets are being pinched. It's scary and I often find myself short of breath. I told him that I was regretting not taking the opportunity I had seven years ago to go to medical school. His response, "Go for it now." I was a little taken aback, but my brain started turning. A few days later he came home and mentioned that a friend had suggested I look into becoming a Nurse Practitioner instead of going to medical school. The training isn't as intense and there's more need.

So, I did some research and found the MEPN program at UVM. The catch, a deadline of December 1. Also, I would need to take the GRE. That freaked me out! I had SAT flashbacks, and they weren't pretty. The thought of all of that math almost made me change my mind. Almost. They're scheduled for next Wednesday (I am able to take the test after the deadline as long as the rest of the application is complete and on time). The application made the deadline. Now I cross everything, and keep on studying for the GRE.

This, of course, now leads us into training. It's been minimal and that frustrates me. I have been spending much of my time studying for the GRE, writing a personal essay on why they should pick me (because I'm awesome, of course!). However, I'm still training, and I'm still teaching a new student. I'm also still taking the Muay Thai class, which isn't as scary as it used to be.

I have these training goals that I'm working very hard to stick with, and even if I don't manage to do all of them in one week I can say that for at least three days I kicked my butt. That makes me feel good.

6 comments:

saddlefitter said...

You GO, grrl! Good for you! I'm putting it out to the Powers That Be for your acceptance, so you're a shoe-in.

Unknown said...

Oh very good!

I nearly went to medical school about 15 years ago. I occasionally have moments of wondering how life would be different if I had. I've helped a couple of friends study for nursing school classes, though never for a nurse-practitioner (1 RN, 1 LPN), it's a lot of work, but both are happy with their choice.

Best of luck with your application and with school.

Anonymous said...

Good luck! I've heard good things about that field, so I think it will be worth all of your efforts.

Slop -n- Goulash: Dinner of Champions! said...

I have had quite a few experiences with NPs and all were great. I admire your courage to start something new! Good for you!

Steve said...

NPs are different from state to state, but here in Oklahoma they can write scripts and all sorts of stuff that doctors do. A NP can really make a good office great, and many times practice very indepently with hardly any MD or DO supervision at all. You will be very rewarded if you decide to go for it ... God Bless!

Steve said...

NPs are different from state to state, but here in Oklahoma they can write scripts and all sorts of stuff that doctors do. A NP can really make a good office great, and many times practice very indepently with hardly any MD or DO supervision at all. You will be very rewarded if you decide to go for it ... God Bless!