In one month from today I will be celebrating the completion of my second Bachelor’s degree with my family and friends. Because our class is graduating in December, we have a Valedictory Breakfast/Pinning ceremony in lieu of a graduation ceremony. We have the option to return in May 2011 to walk in both the nursing graduation and the NYU graduation at Yankee Stadium, both of which I plan on attending.

Three semesters down, one to go.

I started back to school yesterday. I wasn’t happy that my vacation had come to an end, but I am ready to get it over with and get my degree. This semester is supposedly easier than the others. It’s comprised of 3 core classes with two electives. We had the option of getting the electives waived with courses taken in a prior degree, but I figured I should get the most out of my time at NYU and take two more classes. Hopefully I won’t regret that decision later. I’m taking Critical Care Nursing and Spanish for Health Care Providers as my electives.

Finished up my third semester at NYU two weeks ago. I thought it would be easier, since I only had two classes to deal with, but pediatrics was super difficult.

Fall, my final semester, will be a full load of five courses. At least I have a few more weeks of vacation to enjoy.

Had my last final of the Spring semester yesterday. I’m thrilled to be finished, this semester was a real killer. Summer will be nice, I only have 2 classes, which means I’ll have lecture two days a week, and will be working in the hospital 2 days a week. Two semesters down, two to go.

One year ago this week, I rushed to Bunker Hill Community College, in a last minute attempt to register for Fall classes. I’d finally decided on a new career to pursue.

After graduating from Emerson College in 2003, I distinctly remember saying on many occasions, that I would never go back to school. From my first meeting with the Marine recruiters in February ’05, I had planned on a career in the Marine Corps, up until I realized that dream was impossible. For months I struggled with the decision of which direction I wanted my life to go. Finally, in August of last year, I made my decision: I am going to be a nurse.

Since I didn’t take a single math or science course in my 4 years at Emerson (other than Psychology), I had to take quite a few prerequisites before I could work towards a Bachelor of Science degree. I started off with General Biology, Statistics, and College Algebra. Spring of this past year I took Anatomy & Physiology I, Chemistry, and Microbiology. Finally this summer, I took Anatomy & Physiology II, Food & Nutrition, and Psychology of Human Growth & Development.

I was accepted into New York University’s 15-month Accelerated Nursing Program, and this past June I moved to New York City. This is why I was so excited about the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which should cover almost all of my tuition at NYU.

I start classes in less than two weeks. I’m a little nervous, but am mostly excited about starting this next chapter of my life. If all goes well, I’ll graduate in a year from Christmas.