NursingZen

I know, I wrote hardly a word about Year 1 of my Master’s of Nursing program at UCSF last year, and suddenly it’s Year 2. That’s because I was taking a few unexciting, required, graduate courses (theory, research methods, other intro classes) while juggling life as a new grad nurse in both a hospital and a community clinic. Obviously, school became a third priority.

   This year should be a different story. This year it’s all about the core Nurse Practitioner coursework and clinical residencies.

Today was the first day of class and I felt as giddy as I did on the first days of elementary and high schools. Today a detailed, well-written syllabus and my brand-spanking new Advanced Health Assessment textbook were a joy to behold and read…

And after many doubts and much back and forth in the past year, I’m happy with my decision to do the Master’s program over three years instead of two. I feel I have a more well-rounded life than if I were to be a student only. Although the nursing school officially discourages students from veering off the prescribed three-year MEPN-Master’s path and the two-year Master’s path, the Adult Nurse Practitioner faculty has been understanding and supportive of students who need to make changes along the way. I have been one lucky duck and cannot wait to get cracking!