School's Out and time for Graduation

My midlife career change is pretty well complete! Today, I graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing degree and it sure feels great to have that over and done with. The 4 years have passed very quickly, although at times not quick enough! I am looking forward to the many opportunities that a career in nursing may offer, and although I enjoy the bedside nurse role I doubt I will be doing that in 5 years from now.

I did not go to my graduation at the University of Windsor back in 1987 so I have nothing to compare today's experience with. To be honest, I found the whole ceremony a little dull and I was not that excited, actually I was not excited a bit. I was glad that the kids were there, but other than that and seeing my classmates, I could have skipped the whole graduation hoopla.

First Day as a Graduate Nurse

Today I began my journey as a nurse...nobody that knew me 15 years ago would ever have predicted this career choice. But, my 4 years of schooling are over and it is time to put my knowledge to work. I still have to write the RN exam in June; until then I am considered a graduate nurse and earn a couple bucks less an hour.

I had expected to see some classmates today but I guess I am the only one who did not preceptor at this hospital so I was surrounded by strangers on this first day of orientation. I chose to work at a hospital an hour away from my home primarily because of the language factor, and the nurses there are a bit more relaxed. With the price of gas hovering around $1.17 a litre I may have made an expensive mistake!