Back to School

I'm venturing into territory that is almost foreign to me it's been so long. I haven't stepped foot into a classroom for over 10 years! But, in keeping with my goals, both short and long term, I'm going back to school. This time, however, I'm steering my education into a direction that I want to do and that I'm excited about. I'm going back to get my nursing degree. It's going to take me several years as I'll only do one class at a time of the pre-requisites. Then there's a wait time of about 18 months - 2 years to even get into the nursing program and then about 2 more years to complete the program.

My original degree, of course, was in Political Science. Why the change? While I love politics and governmental issues, it was also a major in which I had a lot of credit hours already done and I didn't want to change majors and put myself further behind. Therefore, I was looking to finish my Bachelor's as soon as possible. When all was said and done, in 7 years of post-secondary education, I had earned 3 degrees; 2 Associates and 1 Bachelor's. So, while I'll be well over 40 by the time I'm done with the nursing program, that's okay. I'm not in a hurry, this time around.

I don't regret choosing Political Science as my major, but there's not a whole lot I can do with this major. I could go to law school (one of the Associates was also a Certificate Program wherein I became a Certified Paralegal), but having worked for several attorneys, the last thing I wanted was their schedule - early mornings in the office, late nights in the office. No thanks!

So, in choosing a new area of study, I really considered the "mom factors" in making my decision. I've always said that if I could go back and do schooling over I would choose either teaching or nursing. I was really considering teaching at the high school level; that would allow me to be home and have approximately the same holidays as my kids while they're in school. But, I wasn't really excited about teaching high school. I knew my heart wouldn't be completely there and I would only be short-changing both the students and myself.

I've always had an interest in the medical fields and LOVE to watch all of the shows most people consider "gross", "disgusting", "icky", etc. In fact, the gorier, the better. So, without going into too much more sacrifice in every sense of the word, having a high-demand job, with a mom-friendly schedule, nursing became the obvious choice for me.

Honestly, I can't wait to get into the program. I know I have a lot of work to do before hand, but that's okay. With small children at home, one class at a time is about all I can handle. What doesn't excite me about school is all of the shenanigans that goes along with it - admissions, transferring credits and getting transcripts, registration, but worst of all PROVING THAT I'M A CITIZEN OF THIS COUNTRY! Excuse me? Shouldn't it be the other way around. Why do I have to prove that I'm here legally? Whatever!!!! I guess I'll have to get going so I can fax a copy of my driver's license to the school so they can change my status. What a crock!!!