The Path to Here! Where was the Advice?

As I continue my educational journey to the DNP level, I reflect on how much time it has taken me to arrive at this point in my life. I am certainly proud of my accomplishments, but can’t help but think … “was there an easy or perhaps more time efficient way to earn all these credentials?” My answer (to myself anyway) is a resounding yes!

When I was younger and knew I wanted to teach, I went from college advisor to college advisor trying to get an established pathway for what courses I would need, what degree path I should take, etc., etc. Very few people were helpful and I felt as though I was self advising. Funny thing … I had no clue what to do – so self advising was like answering myself when I had a question but did not have the answer.

We talk so often about the shortage of faculty in nursing and we discuss funding options from the government, employers and scholarships. Yet, maybe it is time that look at something pretty simple – advisors that have half a clue about what nursing education is and how a young person might define a career path to one day become a nurse educator. Maybe, just maybe something as simple as giving information might provide us with a few more bright young people that want to become nurse educators.

This goal will start with me! I know that I can mentor a young person and provide them with an academic pathway that will ultimately lead to qualifications as a nurse educator. So – what about you all out there in nurse educator land … can you see where you can make a difference in the educational journey of a would-be nurse educator? It is time.

The Blog Wins!

Despite no responses to my plea for your vote as to whether the blog stays or goes - I have made up my mind that the blog stays! I enjoy writing and after several hours of reviewing the posts I have made over the last 3 years - the blog really does have some great meaning.

I may change the focus of my blog a little more and center on the new degree I am pursuing. I am currently attending Capella University for my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. This new practice doctorate now available for nurses in clinical practice is a pretty important step. I want my focus to be on my journey while earning my DNP and on what I do with it after I graduate.

I have a great deal to say about nursing doctorate education and I think this blog provides the forum for that conversation.

Let me know what you think. Stay tuned - lots of changes are coming to RNSpeak! I think you might like the new blog - I know I will.

Should I Continue?

My last post to my blog was in January of this year. Much has changed and I have so much more to say. But, do you want to hear what I have to say? Does this blog have meaning or is it a place where I come to vent or just write because I have something to say? Whatever the case for me - I want your opinion. Should this blog continue? If you come here often and you have read some of my writings and you think this blog provides meaning - send me a comment and let me know.

It seems that a lot of spammers have certainly located my blog. But I want real nurses or nursing students to tell me - "SAVE RNSPEAK! THE BLOG HAS MEANING!!!!!

Thank you.

A Special Shout Out to Cindy with Nursing2010!

Resting on the bulletin board over my desk is a calendar "Men in Nursing." The calendar is publish through Nursing2010. As December of 2009 approached, I kept saying to myself that I needed to reorder the calendar. I remember I received the calendar from a friend of mine that has been very active with increasing the ranks of men in nursing. The calendar was well done and certainly promoted the excitement of being a nurse.

Nursing today for men is a wonderful professional career choice. I have been in the nursing profession for over 25 years and can say without hesitation that becoming a nurse was the single best career choice I could have made. Given the fact that I entered nursing at 18 years old ... that choice (at such a tender age) was very insightful.

Anyway, I sent an email to Cindy with Nursing2010 asking to reorder the calendar. She promptly wrote me back and said that the calendar is only sent to previously registered subscribers. I share with her that I was not aware of this and after several different emails back and forth - Cindy agreed to send a few calendars.

What makes this really important to me is that we are beginning our freshmen class this coming week; which has several male students. I think being able to offer a calendar that reflects men in professional nursing roles really serves as an excellent example that being a male in the profession of nursing is not only an educational advantage, it is a great career selection.

So - thanks Cindy for your thoughtfulness and for your kindness!

And ... so it begins yet again!

As most of you who have been following my blog know ... I am a lifer! What does this mean? Well, it means that I am a professional student. I use to hear this term and never really understood that it was reserved for those that have this unchanging desire to continue their education through to completion, and then some.

As the title says, "And ... so it begins again" means that I am returning to school to complete my PhD in Education. My specialization will be in nursing education. This return to school represents the true completion of my formal education. I am scared, excited, dreading it and all the emotions you can experience. I know that the difference between those that have a PhD and those that don't is simply fortitude. I will continue until it is done.

I have also learned a new term that I did not know prior to starting this journey and that term is ABD. Now, most of you reading this blog are nurses, so we know an ABD is generally short for an abdominal pad. Nope, that is not what it is at all. ABD stands for All But Dissertation. This is when a PhD candidate has all the course work and comps completed, but has not completed the dissertation portion part of their graduation requirements. Interesting to note that many people are in the ABD category. Perhaps it stems from lacking motivation, overwhelming feelings that the dissertation is so involved that it will never be finished, or simply the student has just given up hope of completion. Not sure, but I know for me, this is a real issue. I will hold a PhD, not an ABD. SO - I will indeed have to stay motivated.

Will keep you all informed as the journey begins in April, 2010.

New Year Resolution???? Really?

Every year friends and family members ask me, "what are you going to resolve to do in the new year?" Every year (for me anyway) it is always the same two or three things that are my personal challenges. And every year they appear on my new year resolution list because I have either not stopped the activity or sometime during the new year failed to achieve the goal. Now, this is not true of every goal I have established, but for my New Year Resolutions - it is!

For 2010, I resolve to have no resolutions. I resolve to continue being the person I am and doing more for my growth and development. I resolve to work through the year as I always do and give over 100%. I resolve this year to help those in need more and to be more community oriented. I resolve to do a better job with staying connected with friends and family. Wow - for not having any resolutions - I sure listed a few. Oh yes, I almost forgot - for 2010 I resolve to become a millionaire. Why not - could happen! And, if it doesn't happen, guess what - I can put it on my next New Year resolution list.

I will admit that there is something exciting about a new year. Perhaps it feels like the slate from last year is clean, a new starting point for something that has meaning to you. So, I can see why millions of people do their best to set out some great goals for themselves. But I might suggest eliminating the pressure of New Year Resolutions, and just decide that perhaps a life change may be a larger challenge than expected. Instead of heaping the goals - start out small and slow and set a measurable goal that you can achieve. Smaller steps help to make larger steps in the new year.

I resolve to take smaller steps in my quest to achieve my goals! There ya go - together we just worked through a reasonable New Year Resolution. Have a great day!

Google Wave?

What in the hell is Google Wave? Every time I think I have learned the newest technology, someone goes and makes something new. Here is the interesting part ... all this new technology is really amazing. As a teacher and a nurse - this new technology has some wonderful application considerations for patient teaching as well as class room teaching.

I am going to investigate this phenomena and report back here and tell you all about it. Of course - any of the 5 people that read my blog may feel free to tell us more too.