Tuesday, October 23, 2012

I've got class!

well, Its more like "I've got classes"... online classes. and a lot of them!

I've begun to plough stumble through my continuing education courses and I feel both stimulated and exhausted at the same time.

Recently I've celebrated being able to read in increasingly long stretches. I've enjoyed having more clarity of mind, and I've worked on developing more brain activity. (hello, daily crossword!)

Now I see those things as so mentally "passive" compared to pouring over densely worded documents, packing in information, and regurgitating it in tests. All this to work up to 30 credit hours, to reinstate my Nursing License.

I'm struggling a lot and my brain is alarming to let me know just how mad it is that we're not searching the web for episodes of Mad Men, we're calculating the ratio of IV morphine to a comparable PO dose of methadone using the chart in figure 8a.

I lost a lot of my memory of college years but I can testify that nursing is difficult... even these parts.

However I don't want to complain - so here are the good aspects of taking these courses:

1. I'm fascinated!! - The freedom to take any class (and the option of so many topics) has me thrilled! I have been learning fun tid bits about all areas and since, again, I forget just about everything I learned in college, this is new and exciting! Here's just a sampling of the 13 credits I've gone through so far (as you can see I have no career direction as of now):

  • The Midwifery Model of Care
  • Exercise for Health and Fitness
  • Chronic Illness in the Correctional Setting
  • Hospice and Palliative Care
  • A Nurse's Guide to Pain Management
  • Forensic Nursing and School Shooters    
  • Rattlesnake Bite 

2. I'm testing the waters. - I suspect someday I may want to go to some school or other, for some degree or another. These classes help me dip my toe into the pool of education and see how well I fair. Its nice to know that right now I need swimmies and a kick board and adult supervision. Its also nice to know that higher learning isn't completely off the table for me. I mean if I can get excited over obligatory online power points, I should probably stay open to a secondary degree right?

3. I'm so very fatigued! - This is not a bad thing, this is a great thing. Sure 1.0 credit hour class takes me 2.35 hours on average, but its cool, I have time. And sure I have brain ache from reading through this stuff most of the time, which wipes me out for other more productive activities. BUT get this friends - yesterday, I spent all day on classes and last night I SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!! (you heard that right!) I SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT! So maybe I just needed to abuse my mind wheels a bit to give me good sleep. Here's to hoping its no fluke and I can keep this up!

Hey, maybe I'll find a class on the topic!





7 comments:

  1. Unspeakably wonderful news, my friend!

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  2. This is amazing Em!! I'm so happy for you that you are able to dive back in and learn some new things. Don't worry, I forget pretty much all I learned in school too. It's overrated :) Love you girl! Enjoy your continuing Ed!

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  3. You're a stone cold stud.

    Next rattlesnake bite, you'll see me on your doorstep.

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  4. So happy a night of rest!! Praise God and keep the reading!! Love you!!

    Stacy :)

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  5. There's nothing like a good night's sleep but I'm sure I don't have to tell you that. I went back to college a few years ago and took some classes and I loved it so much more than when I was in my early 20's.

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  6. I have some material here that will Rip-Van-Winkle your ass. :) (at least that is the effect that it has on me) If you ever run out of snake bit material, I'm more than happy to share!

    Soooooooo glad that you are sleeping through the night!!

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  7. Also - how did the halloween walk/run go?

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