BSN Program is just BS!

Everyone always talks about how the Associate Degree Nursing program is difficult, but the Bachelors program is on a whole different level!  The ADN program had 3x/week classes, weekly 10-hr. clinicals that started at 4:45 AM (free slave labor), extra clinicals for specialized classes, unit tests, finals, group presentations, labs, and don't forget the NCLEX!!!  But the BSN hybrid program is seriously making me question why I ever wanted to go on with school.  I haven't seen the sun, my husband, or my dog since January!  And I'm getting pressure sores on my bum, but don't worry - they still blanch!  haha.    

In January, I started with Nursing Research (3020) which is really not as bad as I thought it would be.  I really appreciate the work that nursing researchers do!  Did you know that only about 5% of what we practice is based off research?  Scary, huh?  I also started Nursing Assessment (3030) in January, which is really interesting!  My professor is a pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and she's so knowledgeable!  I finally know all my cranial nerves by heart!  But, I feel like I would never have time to do that in-depth of an assessment on my kiddos at work.  So, if you ever need someone to check out your nasal turbinates or check for a torn ACL, call me!  I'm an expert!

Halfway through, I added on Nursing Ethics (3045) which I really like.  It's been interesting to see what direction the most trusted profession for 9 years in a row - nursing, is heading.  Drug abuse, not honoring patient's wishes when they are in a comatose state, etc.  Scary.  I've also learned more about the simple things we sometimes do at work that we wouldn't consider outwardly cheating until you think about them more.  Policy, Power and Politics in Nursing (4030) is my other add-on which is going to be the death of me.  The professor is a nice, old lady who just needs to retire!  She makes politics 1000x more confusing than they already are!  At least the visit to Capitol Hill was very helpful, and I've learned that nurses really can influence legislators' decisions.  We have a voice!  Nurse Power!

Those last two classes have 15 weeks worth of content jam-packed into 7 weeks, so as you can imagine, I have been the worst wife, dogowner, daugher, friend, aunt, housekeeper, YW leader, and whatever else I'm responsible for.  I've never gone to school FT and worked FT in my life.  I've never dreaded my weekly commute of 6 hours to work at PCMC.  I'm seriously questioning my coping capabilities.  So many meltdowns.  Charles has been my rock through it all.  His birthday was ruined when I lost my 8-pg. politics paper into cyberspace, but he held me and then sat by me doing his own thing while I tried to recall and retype.  I am so grateful for my support system (and no kids!  J/K - I still very much want a baby, but I'm not stressed about it now!). 

My Spring Break started Wednesday night and ends tonight at 9 PM.  These 2.5 days have been pure bliss!  I hope you are enjoying the sun as much as I am!