The bright future of nursing

I keep seeing articles like this, touting nursing as "recession-proof" and a booming industry.

This is pretty exciting. Nursing schools are expanding enrollment, particularly among second degree professionals.

When the nursing shortage really started gaining attention, I heard a lot of complaints about how many new nurses were really second degree nurses - people with backgrounds in teaching, business, etc. The problem was that these people were already in their 30s and 40s, and those who were "in the know" wanted people to start in their 20s so they could have longer career trajectories.

I've worked with quite a few people who have come to nursing as a second (or third) career choice. Many of them are mature, committed, and have lots of skills beyond assessment and giving shots. Many of them had wonderful communication and problem solving skills as well.

So with this newer movement of second degree professionals, we can see a lot of benefits: a new addition to the workforce with a variety of skills, people who have made the commitment to attain additional education (and therefore might be more likely to keep continuing their education), and the promotion of nursing as a profession of choice.

How exciting is that! And of course, the growth of nursing programs will promote the growth of faculty positions, so that's even better news for me, too ;)

A shout out to my Peeps

Here is my favorite Easter Candy website of all time!

Happy Easter!

Chris wasn't feeling well today, so I stayed home with him. I was a little bummed at missing out, but I got to the rest of Holy Week, so it's OK. If I'd known I was missing church this morning, I would have gone to a midnight service at a different church last night. They have a wonderful service where they start out with a darkened chapel and then light the chapel at midnight. I've never gone, but I've always wanted to try it out.
I'm definitely more of a sunrise service sort of girl. The best one I've been to was our old church in Cedar Hill where we had a wall of the fellowship hall that was all windows, and faced East. It was wonderful to start the service in darkness and then watch the sun rise during the service.

Brotherly Love

Yesterday I picked up the kids from school. As soon as they were in the car, Chloe started to complain about having to sit near her brother.

Chloe: I hate brothers. Brothers are awful.
Me: No they're not. You might be mad at your brothers right now, but they're family.
Andrew and Chris: Yeah.
Me: Daddy's OK, and he's a brother. And you like Uncle Steve, don't you? He's my brother.

Then Andrew and Chris started talking about other people in our family who are brothers.

When that didn't work, they moved on to famous historical people.

Andrew: President Bush is a brother.
Chris: President Washington was a brother.
Andrew: President Lincoln was a brother.
Chris: Martin Luther King was a brother.

Thank goodness I was in the driveway by then, because I just died laughing.

For Steve and Jen (and Caroline)

Happy St. Patrick's Day (and a new favorite site)

For those of you who love obscure (and not as obscure) 80s references, and who love the LOL worlds:

Here's the site - enjoy!

Someone's in for a rude awakening!

Tom

Of course, the biggest joke is that he's actually a regular pants lawyer and he works for the state, so we ain't rich. One of those days, lawboy will out-earn me. I can't wait :)

Our very own demotivator :)

I have a killer work week coming up, including a stats test that will probably seriously injure me. So what am I doing? Finding out how to make Demotivators!

I found a link that helps you make the image. Chris thought it was SO funny to see himself on the demotivator!

Oh no - not again

Chris and Chloe

Chris (screaming/wailing/shrieking something)
Me "STOP THAT"
Chris "See, Chloe, High School Musical IS annoying. Even Mom thinks so."

This morning

I am sitting in the den, with the sliding glass door open. Originally it was to let the puppies out, but I kept it open because it was SO nice and peaceful outside. The birds are chirping and our little woodpecker is back. The sun was barely out when I started and I was the only one up. What a wonderful way to start the day!

It's almost like a tease, though, because a cold front moves in tonight and we're supposed to have an accumulation of 2-4 inches of snow tomorrow. As much as I enjoy winter weather, it's sad to get a taste of spring and then get it taken away.

Quote of the Day

Tom (to Andrew): "Why do you need Guitar Hero? We already have Guitar"

This weekend was cancelled

Dad was released from the hospital on Thursday and is now at home. I had planned to drive down to Bamaland on Friday to help with the transition, but had my stomach issues on Thursday evening. Whenever I have extreme stress, I start having GI problems, but when it's really bad, I start puking. Obviously I can't drive 600+ miles by myself in that condition! The bad thing is, this was the only weekend that it would really work out that way.

Mom seems to be handling things as well as possible, but there are still a myriad of "problems". The nurse is annoying. The pharmacy is being late in delivery supplies and medications. All things that she could do something about and be proactive, but then she could also just call me and lay all her troubles on me. Thanks!

I've gotten past the point of trying to give her advice (i.e. talk to the nurse about specific things that she needs or getting the supplies from another pharmacy and asking one of her many friends to pick up things for her). When you're dealing with a very passive-aggressive person, it's easiest to just nod and smile.

At least Dad is doing better, and when he gets more improvement, he'll be able to go back to the rehab facility (as long as insurance OKs it). Mom seems to have all the basic help she needs, but I still wonder if she'll be able to do this all on her own.