Harder than necessary

These prereqs are kicking my butt! Not the classes, just the logistics. :/ It looks like I'm going to be taking four classes at four different colleges - and no financial aid for any of it :( I took the A&P I at a local community collge ($700 - easy A) and, as you know, I'm trying to test out of A&P II through an online college ($250). I signed up for Microbiology at a community college right next to where I work, and found out it's going to cost me $1450!!! Damn! So I tried to apply for federal aid. The nice lady at the FAFSA office told me that student aid should cover all of it (individual classes at different colleges). The nice lady at the financial aid office at my nearby college told me that I can't get anything. Apparently Pell Grants are only good for undergrads, and student loans are only good for 6+ credits per semester. My measly 4 are gonna cost me a boatload. I was hoping to take my final class, Chemistry, at this same nearby college, but they don't seem to offer it in the evenings. Grrr.... So now my options seem to be find another college, or switch to part time work this fall or next spring and take classes during the day. I *never* thought that the logistics of the prereqs would be so damn hard. I hope this isn't an omen of things to come.

Brain mush

It occured to me today that the reason (in part) I'm having so much trouble focusing on my studies and figuring out where and how to take classes, how to pay, scholarships, etc... is that for the first time in a long time I really truly need to think. I need to use my brain and really read stuff. Wow! I haven't done that in a long time. It sounds dumb, but really. This occured to me at work today when someone asked me a question and I said "I don't know" and they said "Ok" and left. My job is such that I really don't ever think about much. There are tons of problems that could be thought about, if I had the time and desire, but I don't. It's just too easy to ask someone else. Hmmmm.....

A whole new career

Sometimes it strikes me how weird it will be to have a whole new career. Things that I'm used to doing and consider myself good at (web design, development, etc.) will no longer matter in my new life. I also find myself looking forward to the day that Alan and I can work together again, then I have to remind myself that that will no longer be an option either. It's just weird to think about.

Studying hard

I'm not really a self-motivated person, but I've made the decision to take an Excellsior exam to receive my credits for Anatomy & Physiology II. The exam actually counts for part I and II, so I'll have duplicate credits for part I.

In order to do this though, I have started spending Thursday nights at Panera Bread. It's been working well so far. I pick up the boy from daycare, meet the hubby for dinner and baby swap, then stay at Panera for 3 hours until closing. I'm pretty proud of myself and I think I'll do ok on the exam. I was hoping to take it in June, but I'm not sure I'll be ready by then. I may have to increase my Panera Bread time to 2 nights a week, or else try to get some studying done at home as well. I have a lot of trouble with that though, as I'm always distracted by the boy, or the dishes, or the bed :)

Closing time now so I have to go. Send me "good studying" vibes so I can stay motivated and pass this exam (which I've already paid for!!)

Deferring

I decided to defer my nursing program until next May. Originally I was planning on taking the 2 year (4 semester) plan starting in Aug '06, but instead I'm going to take the 1 year (3 semester intensive) plan starting in May '07. Both plans graduate in May '08. I think this will be better because it gives me more time to get my prereqs done, gives Alan time to build up his hosting business, and gives both of us time to bring our overall financial situation a little closer to the black before I give up my hefty salary.

I got a package from Binghamton yesterday, which must have gone out before I alerted them to my change of plans. I'm glad I got it, but it was a bit overwhelming. The packet was full of information about what needs to be done before classes start in May. We have to order uniforms, name tags, medical supplies (stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, pharmacology kit(???), etc.) We also have to take the professional level CPR training, get vaccinations, get a specific type of insurance AND attend an orientation in April. All of this results in many hundreds of dollars before we even start registering for classes. As I read through the information all I kept thinking was "I'm soooo not ready for this just yet!" However, like I said, I'm glad I got the packet this year so I'll know what to expect for next year.

Sheep brains anyone?

I narrowly escaped a brain disection today! Half way through class my teacher says "Oh, I need to take the brains out of the fridge." We all say "brains???" She says, "Yeah, didn't I tell you we are disecting sheep brains tonight?" Geezz.... you gotta give a person fair warning before expecting them to disect brains on a Tuesday night. Luckily (for me, others in class weren't so happy) we ran out of time so we'll get to do that fun project next week. At least I can mentally prepare myself anyway - and remind myself that brain disection was my sister's favorite part of college :)

Work related stress

We have this big conference coming up next month and my job has gotten progressively more stressful this past week. As an implementer (versus a visionary - the only two roles at my company) a lot has fallen on my plate lately. Stuff I don't know about falls out of the visionary's heads and on to my lap, and always due yesterday.

On my way home today, after a particularly annoying day, I started thinking about what life as a nurse would be like. Every job has it stressors, I'm aware of that, but I wonder how they will be different in the healthcare field. I can envision two scenarios.

Maybe the stressors of the job will be less annoying because the job itself is more fulfilling. Maybe it will be easier to deal with stupid things because overall I know I'll be having a positive impact on people's lives, instead of just designing brochures and spam for the world. Or... maybe the stressors will be that much more difficult because they affect people's lives, not just brochures and spam. If a boss makes a stupid decision now it sucks, if a nurse's boss makes one, it could be fatal. Maybe the stress will just be tons worse?

It's kind of scary switching into a field I've never been in. I think I have the professional, Office Space world down pat. I wonder what I'm getting myself into.

Swirling mess

Life is so hectic these days. I have these three swirling messes, moving targets, that are all interdependent. Once I nail one down I'm sure the others will fall into place nicely. But there is just never time to do anything.

SM #1: Housing
Need to find somewhere to live. As I said before, we found one nice place, but the lease date is May 1, which is too early. However, depending on how the employment situation goes, we may be able to go that early. Or we may have to stay here as long as possible (July) so I can work as long as possible.

SM #2: Employment
Obviously. Alan has begun job hunting, but the tech jobs in upstate NY are slim pickings. We've also been looking for telecommuting opportunitites. If we could nail down employment though, we would have a lot more decisiveness on where we need to be and when. I think I'm going to tell my boss today (if I don't chicken out). There may be some telecommuting options here that would help solve this dilemma.

SM #3: Pre-reqs
On top of the obvious housing and employment, I also need to work in 3 more pre-requisite classes. I had a great plan for taking them at Binghamton during the two summer sessions, but when I met with my advisor last week she said no, no, no. Apparently all three conflict with each other!! What kind of goober schedule is that? She was nice enough to give me options (online, test out of some of them, local community college, etc.) I can also (possibly) take another one up here. Soo... what I take and where will depend on where we are living at the time. Maybe the solution is to decide on how I want to take the courses and register. Then housing and employment will have to be coordinated around that. Hmmm... it's good to write things done sometimes :)

Bummer on the house

Alan talked to the rental lady yesterday. Apparently all was not as it seemed :(

We asked her to fix up the little shower in the "efficiency" (in-law apt) - which at our visit she said worked fine - she now says it can't be used because it's not vented and they won't fix it. She also said that although the original lease date was July 1, they now want to move it up to May 1. These are two pretty big strikes, which is a bummer because it is a nice house overall and because I don't want to drive out to Binghamton to house-hunt again :)

Tonight was a business night (shareholder meeting - BLAH!) but maybe we'll be able to put more thought into our future this weekend. We'll see.

Hmm... should I keep this up?

So obviously my nursing blog isn't as gripping as I'd hoped. Who knew that there would be so little time in life. I'll post a few quick highlights and see if I can get better at updating this thing.

Accepted!
I got accepted into the BSN program at Binghamton University! I wasn't too worried, but it felt great to hear the final OK. Now I just have to pay them my deposit then it's official.

Visiting
We took a trip to Binghamton this past weekend. It was nice. Rosy and I took an official tour of campus while Mom played babysitter. We also went apartment hunting and found a really great house. Alan is trying to get in touch with the management company today to sign the lease. It's an old house with 4 bedrooms, brand new bathrooms (with skylights) and it even has a fireplace with a mantle and a mirror over the mantle! I loved it. The neighborhood is a bit sketchy - but so is most of Binghamton. The house is right on the edge of a business district, so it's family neighborhood on one side and business a few houses away on the other. I'm sure it will be fine though.

Pre-reqs
I'm taking Anatomy & Physiology I right now at a local community college. I also have to take A&P II, Chem, and Microbiology. I learned this weekend that all three of those courses conflict during the summer sessions at B. Soo.... I'm gonna have to figure out some other way to take them. That's Challenge #1.

Challenge #2
My challenge, your challenge, and most everyone else's (except those 8 in Nebraska!) is $$$. Once I quit my comfy job we will be close to broke. Over the next few months we will be focusing on rectifying that situation. Wish us luck! :)