The conclusion of my first MEPN quarter at UCSF- I didn’t think it could come soon enough.
It was truly no joke when we were told that this summer was going to be non-stop and busier then we could ever imagine. I was challenged in so many ways, beginning with my small, yet significant move from home to the beautiful city of San Francisco. I really had no time to “adjust” as I quickly began to see all of the reading assignments, weekly exams, and practical experiences that I had to embrace immediately upon beginning the program.
I still remember getting a letter stating that I had an interview in December of 2010 (during the weekend of our annual Supernova benefit party) and how ecstatic I was in between tears of disbelief. Then I remember going to my interview in late January and feeling super nervous, looking at everyone around me –wondering if they would be a future classmate. Then the waiting game began….we were informed that final decisions would be made and letters sent by mid April. APRIL....it seemed like such a long wait!
When I got the email from UCSF stating that “a decision had been made” in early March, I just about flipped out. So early? “ I was surely denied super early” was my initial thought. I couldn’t make myself open that email but I sat down at my work desk (after a few seconds of tense pacing) and took a deep breathe. I thought about how different life would be if I got into the program and how my journey in life had culminated to this very moment. When I opened that email, my life changed forever.
I can’t echo loudly enough how the journey I have embarked on is only enriched by those with whom I am honored to be sharing it with. My class of 70 something is an amazing group. The stories, experiences, visions, skills and passion that everyone brings is diverse yet contributes to the community of nursing. My “prima”, as I now refer to her, Desiree and my sister from another mother, Adrienne, were instantly attached to my hip and have provided a sense of family during a transition that has been ongoing, intense, yet a welcoming change. I’m grateful and we have all expressed just how much we feel that “fate” played a role in bringing us into this journey of advanced nursing training at UCSF, during this particular moment in our lives.
Our first quarter involved some core courses that introduced a plethora of new knowledge in a very short amount of time and included Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and our Nursing Skills course. A total of 18 units for our first jump into the program.
For those who might not be aware of these unique and competitive programs (I still pinch myself at the thought that “I” am actually here), there is a process .....
1st Year: We go through 4 continuous quarters (that began this summer) and obtain all of the fundamental courses in nursing, along with the opportunity to immediately be placed onto the hospital floor. It is overwhelming but I can’t emphasize enough, how jumping right into clinicals, bridges a crucial gap that reinforces our class content and builds up our knowledge base and critical thinking skills.
After the completion of this first year, we officially graduate as a registered nurse (RN). We don’t get a bachelor’s degree for it but we qualify for the NCLEX state exam. Most of us are O.K. with not obtaining the bachelor’s as we are coming in with a previous Bachelor’s, and in some cases, a Master’s degree.
Year 2 & 3 – We all move on to our pertinent areas of specialty with the ultimate goal of graduating as a Nurse Practitioner (NP). In my case, I want to have a concentration in Family Practice and would become a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). Just to shed a little light, since these career paths are still not recognized by everybody- nurse practitioners and physician assistant’s are considered “providers” and are helping to supplement a gap in today’s health care system with a shortage of providers. We are able to see patients, provide preventative measures, treatment and prescribe medication.
It took me a while, as I worked in community health education (public health), to realize how vital nurses are in our world of healthcare. They are truly angels! I am so honored to be on a path where I will join a community that involves a way of thinking and practicing medicine that focuses on the person, the human spirt and a healing touch!
In order to do the experiences of my summer justice, I think that I’m going to break down my thoughts into several blogs. It might serve useful to any peers who are interested in entering into a similar field or provide a glimpse to my family and friend’s as to the new and exciting life I am embarking on. It also gives me a little validation as to why I might not always be in the picture. I miss EVERYONE so much but I know that this sacrifice will be a true blessing on multiple levels as time goes on.
I am officially MEPN and I got through the first quarter. My new life has begun and I already feel "different" in ways I can't quite explain just yet.
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