Sunday, October 5, 2008

School

I'll just jot a few lines in the few minutes I have before Grace wakes up from her nap.

For those of you who may not know, I've recently returned to school. Pete and I have been talking for a while now about the possiblity of me going back to school for a nursing degree, and we finally decided now is the time. I had been looking into several different programs in the area when a church member mentioned that her granddaughter was part of a fast-track nursing program at Loyola University. Since all of the other programs were going to take at least three years and would have me repeating several classes that I had taken for my first degree, I decided to look into the program that this lady mentioned. Low and behold...Loyola offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Nursing program to people like me who already have a Bachelor's degree in another field. Loyola is very easy to get to from our house. I would just have to take the "el" which has a station about 3 miles from our house, and there is a stop called "Loyola" which lets off right at the university.

After further investigation it seemed this program was a perfect fit. The application deadline is November 15 for the program that begins May of 2009. If I get accepted (no small task considering they average 500-700 applications a year and only take 95 students) the whole program would take 12.5 months, and I would graduate in June of 2010 with a Bachelor of Nursing degree. The only "catch" is that I need to fulfill 4 courses, which I had not previously taken, before the May program would begin. So, after figuring all this information out in July, I immediately set out to our local community college to try to get the prerequisite courses started this semester. By the grace of God I was able to get into all three classes that I needed at times that would work with everyone's schedules (some of the classes had been full, but I was checking everyday to see if someone would drop out...I could go on, but the point is, it was stressful and I feel blessed that it all worked out).

Anyway, I am enrolled in Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, and Chemistry (I've had chemistry before but have to retake it because of a technicality). Next semester I will have to take Anatomy and Physiology II and Organic Chemistry. Becca watches the kids on Tuesday and Thursday mornings while I'm in school, and Pete has them Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings. We say all the time that this just could not have worked out any better...the kids and their parents are adjusting very well. So far I've gotten straight "A"'s, with even a 100% on my first Anatomy test and a 99% on a Chemistry test. Like I said...it just couldn't be going any better than it is.

So, there you have it. Now we'll just pray that I get accepted to Loyola. I'll find out in December. We'll let you all know when we know!

6 comments:

Kim Lahaie Day said...

Hi Tarren!

Congratulations on your return to acadamia and that you are so successful thus far in your classes. I'd ruled out nursing as a career for myself many moons ago due to the very classes you're taking now. I give you much credit for juggling the family and education demands the way you have been. Thanks be to God for allowing things to work so well in your favor!

Lord's blessings to you all!

Kim

"I thank my God everytime I remember you"

Marcel said...

I just love these success stories. Keep it up.

Kim Lahaie Day said...

Hi Tarren,

I sent a comment the other day when I read this. Maybe you didn't approve me!
Ooops!

Hugs,

Kim

Tarren Prange said...

Sorry to those who have left comments recently. Apparently they only show up under Pete's account, and he has pretty much turned the management of the blog over to me. Anyway, I just figured that out, so I'll be better at publishing them more timely now. We do appreciate the comments!

Love you all!

Kim Lahaie Day said...

Whew! I am relieved you accepted my comment, and that you got it all sorted out.

Suzanne was glad to hear you were going back to school, I think she read it on my site. I wonder if she knows about your blogsite........I'll see her tonight and ask me.

Best wishes on the schooling and running the household all at the same time!

Hugs,

Kim

Sean M. said...

Hi Tarren! This is your cousin Sean if you didn't recognize, and I came across your blog today. Congrats on getting back into school and good luck with everything! Especially the OChem... I took two semesters of OChem, and let me tell you, it's not an easy task. But I'm sure you will have much better luck than I did!

At any rate, it was great to see what's going on with you and the family. Feel free to check out my blog (I'm guessing you can get to it through this comment). Talk to you later!