I'm a Falcon!!

A few weeks ago I was accepted into the Master's program for Forensic Nursing at Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts!  My head is still spinning from all that's transpired in the past couple months!!  Here's a little synopsis of what's been happening to get you up to speed.

I had been debating getting my masters degree for awhile, but didn't really know WHAT I wanted to do. I know that healthcare and nursing is really trending toward getting more education, and I've watched perfectly good nurses in my own hospital get laid off or passed over for promotions simply because they didn't have a bachelors degree or someone else DID have a masters.  I didn't want to see myself in that scenario in 10 years and think, "Why didn't I just do it, I could've been done in a couple years!" With the way healthcare is reforming, hospitals will start being reimbursed partially according to patient satisfaction scores.  Healthcare is now more than ever a customer service industry with hospitals competing against each other, vying for the opportunity to do your surgery!  My hospital is directing itself toward eventually becoming a magnet status hospital, which will set it apart as a place of excellence with the majority of it's nurses holding a minimum of a bachelor's degree.

I had no idea how I could manage going back to school while working full time and having a family, etc...  If I thought about it too long I would talk myself out of it and most of the time that I tried to seriously consider the logistics of it all, my head nearly exploded.  My thought processes went something like this- "I hate school.  But I like taking classes in things that interest me.  But I'm already too busy!  I don't want to be a manager or teach full time, but teaching is fun and I like it. I could teach.  I hate school.  My KIDS are in school.  I haven't been in school for 16 years!!! This is NOT a good idea....  But I think there's more out there!  Who's going to make dinner if I'm writing a paper?  When will I sleep?  I can do this....  I know I can.  I hate school.   I think Forensics is fascinating!  I could be a liason between healthcare and the criminal justice system.  I love what I do....  I want to go back to school!  I'm gonna DO THIS!!!   Oh wait.   I HATE SCHOOL!!!!!!!"      You get the idea. 

Once I had my head wrapped around the idea I opted for an online program so that I can work from home, hopefully while the kids are in school.  And now that I'm on 12-hour shifts at work, I have more time off.  "Off".   Am I ever really OFF??!!  Not really.   :)

But this is what I know:   I have the most amazing husband who is my biggest fan and supporter and champion in all things.  He believes in me more than I believe in myself.  I have a God who is bigger than all of my fears and doubts, and he's the One who created me with destiny and purpose and desires in my heart.  He will lead me through this!  And I'm excited!  A teeny trepidatious too.....  'Cuz it's been awhile, ya know.  But I proceed with great anticipation!  I'm goin' back to school!  I have no idea how to take a class online.  But I'll figure it out.  And it will be fine.  And I will succeed.   And a few years from now I will have amazing opportunities in my career and for my family.

I am blessed.  Oh so blessed!

So please pray for my family and me as we embark on this new adventure!!  The fun begins on September 5th, when my online classes start, and the kids go back to school on August 22.  We are packing a lot of family fun in before we get down to business next month!!

Thank you to all of you who have shown me such love and support as I start this next chapter!  We love you all!!!