Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Jennifer's meditations at the beginning of the semester
I have enjoyed reading each of the blogs. While reading them I went back in time to my RN-BSN bridge program. I attended while working full-time at Children's Medical Center. When reading all the blogs I realized that all are working RNs while attending school. I remember how hard it was to balance work, school and family so I just thought I would blog to you about my journey. I ended up accomplishing my bridge program of nursing classes in 2 semesters, it was arranged as a recorded course that 7 of us students sat in a room off-site for 8 hours once a week to obtain all our lectures. Then going home and beginning all the work that was due. One of the biggest changes I have noticed since I did this in 1997-98 is that you do not have to watch a stale video tape of the instructor. You have so much more advanced technology and a very modern way to communicate at a moments notice with each other. I know it has taken me awhile to adjust to all the internet programs used in the participation in the courses. When I began the TWU PhD program I thought I would go nuts learning how to use blackboard, now I have blackboard, yahoo messenger, skype, several blogs, and so much more. It is amazing how I have learned to modernize my technology skills. I am truly enjoying all the learning I am doing throughout this program and hope you are too.
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Oof - I remember working and going to school too. I took classes in the early 1990s to get a vocational teaching certification so that I could teach high school students. The courses were held about 30 miles away from the hospital I worked and were scheduled from 4-7pm. My evening shift began at 7pm, too, and I recall having to slink out of class early and/or get a day nurse to stay over late for me. One thing I recall is that everyone was extremely supportive of my education, and talking to some of the students in this class recently I don't see that so much from healthcare institutions anymore.
ReplyDeleteI suppose I've done all my education while employed full-time, but this was certainly the most miserable and full-time. Oh how I wish there had been online education at that point!