tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11321788994186447632024-03-12T21:11:36.591-07:00A Journey through Nursing School & Beyond...A peek into the life of me. A Stair stepper NURSE who went from CNA to RN, while being a, WLS patient, Wife, and Mother of 2.
Journey with me through the ups and downs of nursing school, the roller-coaster that is marriage and the drama of parenting teens. All while attempting to start a Nursing career, further my education, and lose weight.Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.comBlogger908125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-84287824563812455802020-03-01T15:08:00.001-08:002020-03-01T15:08:08.485-08:00 No longer a nurse....I had to have major surgery in April of 2019. Nearly a year later and I haven’t been able to return to work. I’m on the fence on if I’m disabled or not. It’s a battle with denial really. My brain is in denial that this is my new reality. I worked really hard to be a RN but never really liked anything about it, except maybe the paycheck.<br />
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I have three adopted medically fragile children. I still provide nursing care to them. I just can’t be paid for it. But in reality because they are mine I’m not on the liability side if something goes wrong. Ie I have limited feeling in my hands and my fine motor skills are effectively shit. With other people an accidental pinch or weird grab is a bit more serious. I also can’t do CPR compressions, any type of phlebotomy or IV insertion, and looking down for longer than 10 seconds is impossible. But I’ve trach changed, gtube feed, med administration, and straight cathed my kids.<br />
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So now what? I’m still looking for a less hands on nursing job. We shall see. I’m just not ready to no longer be a nurse.... mostly because I know that I never was in the nursing field I wanted to ever be in.Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-76456354880994723072016-11-01T04:11:00.000-07:002016-11-01T04:11:41.871-07:00Never postI never post on this blog anymore.<br />
Oddly it's because I am just not excited about nursing anymore. I'm not a fan of my job, but I don't really want to do anything else. I feel like I'm in Mommy mode again and not in career mode anymore so work is a paycheck and that is all.<br />
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I wish I could be all inspiring and some such, but honestly it'd be bs at this point. Almost 7 years in and I've worked LTC, Pediatric Homehealth, Visiting Nurse for adults, Urgent Care, Telemetry at the Hospital and now Supervisor/Charge Nurse in a SNF. I've liked and hated them all... lol<br />
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Such is the beast of nursing.... Where are you now?Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-7676790454060139022016-02-29T11:24:00.002-08:002016-02-29T11:24:39.851-08:00UpdateI never seem to get around to posting on the work or school front. My other life just seems to take over. I am NOT in school right now. Maybe I'll got back in a year or two, but right now no time. As for work. I've been busy on that front. Quitting jobs that is. I did a stint in home health again, then moved over to a group home, which did not work out at all. It was more of an atmosphere thing/ favorites thing vs an actual job thing. But the group home job was more like I was a Respitory Therapist then a nurse. The home health was more hours than 40+ a week. Group home pay was bottom of the barrel and an hour away. The home health money was BANK but so much of it was unpaid prep work.<br />
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So here I am about to start new job. Second shift nursing supervisor at a SNF.Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-18472443301440463602015-08-31T14:05:00.001-07:002015-08-31T14:05:42.921-07:00Working AgainBack in the saddle working again. I decided on Home Health and I have got to admit that the freedom and autonomy of being able to make my own schedule and not have a micromanager looking down my back all the time is even better. <br />
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I don't mind the driving and when the actual paycheck comes, well I won't mind that at all. <br />
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Where has my career in nursing lead? Well for me, it was always about doing the least amount of work for the most amount of money, in the most rewarding way. It's not for everyone, but it is perfect for me and our ever growing family.<br />
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I was told yesterday by a client, " We like the other nurse, but we love you. We trust you." That, is what it's all about.Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-42067627061983890542015-08-18T12:29:00.003-07:002015-08-18T12:30:59.855-07:00Career UpdateSo I quit the hospital in June after my Dad passed away. The cause of death was related to medical error caused by Physician and nursing staff at the hospital I worked at. To say I am angry is to say it mildly... biggest thing is that I am experiencing trauma related to the circumstances surrounding his death and the overwhelming grief. It's manifesting into anxiety and apathy about being a nurse. "How can I help others when I couldn't help my Dad?" or "What do I care if they get better or not?" So yeah I needed a break to step away and deal with what is going on in my heart.<br />
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I've looked into other avenues of nursing... I think at this point my love and passion in nursing are combined with mothering my special kiddos. I think my career path needs to reflect a flexibility to achieve that. Home visits I think, possible double weekends back in LTC or an Urgent Care. I haven't decided. Right now it's just an extra paycheck for spending and mad money that I even really need to return to work for. <br />
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At this time, even school is off the table as I have no vision for the future where nursing continuing education would be mandated or even used, except to say that I have such and such advanced degree. <br />
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We shall see where this detour shall lead... but in the mean time... I am weaning a 23 weeker off of o2, doing feeding therapy to help him get off of a feeding tube, managing physician orders, medication management, helping with physical therapy for 4 kids, doing trach care, suctioning, changing out gtubes, doing enteral feedings, constant assessments for COCs, not to mention prosthetic, brace, and cast care. I continue to maintain current skills on vents, BLS, and central line management... all from home for 4 patients a day. <br />
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What do you do? <br />
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Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-21199317807126783532015-06-16T12:48:00.001-07:002015-06-16T12:48:15.937-07:00Job hunting againIt's not that I am a job hopper... it's that I am NOT a job settler... Tele... as I feared is not for me. A lot of things have happened to lead me this way... but most importantly was that this job interfered in my family too much. Since I do not work to live or live to work at this stage in my life... the priority has to shift. I just don't feel the need to work in acute care like a slave, when my true passion and enjoyment... I have already discovered. I guess it just takes that step away to reevaluate life where you learn that... Yes... I AM A CHRONIC CARE PEDS NURSE. <br />
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I am still going to go for my masters degree, however, it'll be in Management... since my new career path has lead me to that direction... now to just get all the life stuff out of the way and get onward toward a new... and not so new path.Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-78556005410237515402015-01-16T14:58:00.000-08:002015-01-16T14:58:12.398-08:00Insert Sounds of Squealing Brakes here...My RN-MSN has been put on hold. <br />
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Why? Because I am about to tear my hair out. <br />
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You see I had the bright idea to become a foster parent. Then, I had the bright idea to say yes to a two month old after already having a 3 year old. I then had the bright idea to say yes to a 14 year old after already having a 4 year old and a 11 month old. I then had the bright idea to say yes to a 7 month old, after already having a 4 year old, a 1 year old, and a 14 year old.<br />
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Oh yeah then I got the bright idea to start a PCU Tele job at a hospital AT NIGHT! <br />
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Yeah I'm not that bright :-)Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-2854075866497396922014-12-19T15:37:00.001-08:002014-12-19T15:37:31.029-08:00No likeyI don't like my new job... big surprise. Probably because it's tele/medsurg...bleck! Oh well... Great company tho right!Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-32384285586470967242014-12-08T06:49:00.001-08:002014-12-08T06:49:31.246-08:00Let the new journey beginFirst hospital position day 1. It's just a week filled with new hire orientation classroom stuff, but it's exciting. Is itwrong to say that this feels like I am finally starting a real nursing job? It's not that I haven't had years of nursing experience and some actual critical care events. But I've felt like a pill pusher, babysitter, and a Medical Assistant at my last positions, so this...this is the beginning.Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-79613087867035546592014-11-21T19:42:00.001-08:002014-11-21T19:42:59.853-08:00On to the Next StepWell it's on to the next next for me. Last day at Urgent Care was today and was less than Urgent. Excited to start this next chapter after a two week break and a ton of school work! :-)Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-34307273565446861392014-11-13T20:50:00.001-08:002014-11-13T20:50:03.563-08:00Cardiac PCUReceived my offer letter and orientation paperwork. I have my pre-employment physical on Tuesday. This is getting pretty real here. 1 more week until my last day at my current job, then I have a two week break before starting the new one on the 8th. I have a ton of school work to get through before starting since I know my time will be limited. <br />
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Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-18069401757953018062014-11-11T17:23:00.000-08:002014-11-11T19:37:31.688-08:00Career NewsOk so I did get a call from HR from the ER position and tentatively accepted it. Given that I needed a start date that wouldn't bankrupt me and I have already given notice at work. I was starting to get worried that come my two weeks notice being up I'd be unemployed in the end.<br />
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So in order to not to burn a bridge I went to an interview at a closer facility in their Cardiac PCU (step down ICU) that a very good friend from nursing school told me about. Walking out of there, just like NCLEX, I left feeling like I totally blew it and had no hope. The floor is a big change for sure.<br />
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So lets see... <br />
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ER- too far away<br />
ER- Kids<br />
ER- more money than I make now<br />
ER- Nights<br />
ER- Huge variety, fast paced, some things I already know a lot about. Some things I know NOTHING about.<br />
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PCU- Lots of things I know nothing about, small things I know some things about, LOTS of learning potential and critical care experience<br />
PCU- way closer<br />
PCU- No kids<br />
PCU- more money than I make now<br />
PCU- Nights<br />
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There was one thing I had no interest in doing was kids ER... so that and the distance were the deciding factors for sure on why I would take the PCU job. I mean either way I am excited to get to be a NURSE! Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-36847336963983461912014-11-09T06:36:00.005-08:002014-11-09T06:36:40.345-08:00Finally knocked another one outClass that is. Nutrition is in the books with a pass. I kinda psyched myself out more than spent any real time on the topic. What should have taken me all of a week to complete, took over a month, mostly because I didn't do anything with school for nearly that. <br />
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I have one more class open right now and it's still that communications class, why? Because I have been procrastinating on this one like no one's business. But today I tackle it in earnest and send the outline in for grading and get my visual aide completed. I will record the video on Tuesday no matter what. <br />
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Since I want to start a new job, and anyone in nursing knows that new jobs equal more learning and less time for extra stuff in the beginning, I know I need to get as much of this course finished as I can if I want to stay on target for my May BSN completion deadline.<br />
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Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-79718412245176162532014-11-06T09:39:00.001-08:002014-11-06T14:17:11.499-08:00Future ER NurseHad job interview today and was offered the position.. I am SOOOO excited! <br />
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Just waiting on HR to contact me to give me the particulars and get the compensation and offer letter.<br />
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So I will be back on night shift, which is so much more preferred for me for sure! The job isn't close, there are about a million and one hospitals between it and me, but you go where you know people sometimes.<br />
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So finally that ever sought after position in acute care hospital!<br />
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When I told a friend of mine where I was planning on working she said she could through my resume at her director for a position at her hospital. Yes they are closer, but it's not a speciality that I would enjoy, it's on the PCU (CABG recovery) it's such a hard decision.<br />
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Location vs Location<br />
Speciality vs Specialty<br />
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It's a dead heat... I'm still totally leaning toward ER.<br />
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On the school front... well the slacking continues but I just took the second Practice Assessment for Nutrition so I am thinking to attempt the final tonight. My communication class, well I will work on the project script and hope to get the video uploaded this week... it's the thought of recording myself that is really just getting to me, I don't know why. But gotta push through. At least Statistics is NOT my next class after all. My Advisor wants to move forward either Health Assessment or Community Health (depending on testing locations) Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-15504023684242237302014-10-29T13:00:00.000-07:002014-10-29T13:00:18.189-07:00ER InterviewSo I went ahead and did it and applied for an ER position. My resume made it past HR and the phone interview. I have a team interview on Thursday next week. To say I am excited and freaked out would be an understatement. <br />
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I've started reviewing mission statements and interview type questions and welcome any advice anyone can give me for sure. This is a huge step and a huge opportunity for sure!<br />
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I've even started reviewing NIH Stroke protocall... yikes! So much to review and school! <br />
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Wish me luck!Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-36794911242099429462014-10-13T11:03:00.001-07:002014-10-13T11:05:22.189-07:00Just slackingBecause I've had a crazy shift this week and an annoying Boss from hell...schoolwork didn't really get done this week. More so because the stuff I have left to do I need to be at home to complete. So no news on the school front right now to report any completed classes. <br />
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I have tomorrow off, at which time I will complete my visual aide part of my project. This weekend I will then try to complete the outline for the paper to submit with it. With that said, I still need to videotape the actual presentation,which probably won't happen until this weekend either, since I have my 4 in a row off starting Friday, I may get this done. I also need to bust out that Nutrition exam...I think I have that one planned for Monday (in my mind) we will see how the pretest goes.<br />
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No this wasn't actual procrastination,it was just simply life getting in the way this time...:-) <br />
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Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-58748632005876932232014-10-11T15:02:00.001-07:002014-10-11T15:03:26.151-07:00Sometimes you feel like a nurse...I like it when patients don't know how sick they really are and come in here to be treated. ER acute care patients... DKA anyone... love it more when I get that difficult stick turned into a running IV! <br />
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How do you make people see that yes I do infact have acute care experience. That Chest Pain person was pretty real and needed full chest pain protocal work-up and then a lot of interventions prior to sending directly from our center to the cath lab at the heart hospital... isn't that what the ER does? Same with the acute kidney injury related to dehydration and a raging pyelo that needed iv antibiotics and a foley for strict I&O before heading out to be admitted to the floor.<br />
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Yes sometimes I feel like a nurse and then there are the times I actually get to <b>be </b>one instead of a glorified MA. Maybe I should apply to an ER?Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-2078558573654818382014-10-07T17:36:00.002-07:002014-10-07T17:36:29.583-07:00Technically I have Officially Completed my first "semester" of my RN-MSN program with the completion of Biochem! of course I have accelerated Nutrition and Speech into the semester and continue to plan a few more as well. But I am so happy with this so far I must admit. <br />
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Ok need to get working on some projects :-)Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-68701693267313114302014-09-29T17:47:00.000-07:002014-09-29T17:47:04.977-07:00Just about finishedWill in fact be submitting my last Biochem task tomorrow, hope I won't need a revision, but I probably will. <br />
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Either way that makes 12 CU's completed in 1 month. If only I could keep that up... but I don't see it as possible for some of these classes, but I will surely try. My Course Adviser put me on bi-weekly contact instead of the weekly contact because I was doing so well. <br />
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I have a speech to work on for one class and Nutrition exam to pass. I missed the cut score on the Pre-Assessment by 3% so I need to review a little bit and then I will try and take the test the end of next week. <br />
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Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-30671511486964856952014-09-24T11:12:00.001-07:002014-09-24T11:13:45.093-07:00A tisket and tasketI'm so punny... anyway... Biochem is plugging along. Passed task 1 with no revisions needed. I submitted task 2 yesterday and am 234 in the que as they are only up to grading from the 22nd at this point, I think I will probably have task 3 submitted by the time I hear back from that one. So so far 2/5ths of the way from completed with my 12 CUs... tomorrow I talk to my adviser and will have her open those other three classes for me if she will, or at the very least Nutrition, since I talk to her normally weekly, she may just open one officially a week. But I'm just guessing.<br />
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Ok back to work... need to build a model of a Hemoglobin... have you seen it? Squiggly mess of crazy!Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-22173230157904107002014-09-19T07:14:00.002-07:002014-09-20T15:19:42.828-07:00In the bagOne more class done. Now onto Biochem. 5 Projects for this class... each with 5-6 parts. Some have models to build, while some have diagrams. All have a powerpoint and "paper".<br />
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Staring it in earnest today. Hoping to have Task 1 submitted this weekend. It's the only class I have left open in my semester so I have to have my Mentor (Like Advisor) open up my next two. Which will be Nutrition and Stats. Not looking forward to Stats at all. So far I am very happy with the format though.<br />
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***uodated- Naw did not start my next class this weekend. Actually I wanted Outlander on Starz*** lolAzmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-81152076741413186272014-09-17T21:15:00.001-07:002014-09-17T21:15:51.112-07:00Just submittedAnother project, hoping it'll be the last one and I can kick this Humanities class outta my que. Yesterday I wrote the Art History Essay part of it and passed the first time. Today I submitted a Powerpoint presentation, but I am less than confident in it because some if the themes I had no idea what to write on. Maybe there was enough BS filler in it to get by? Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-82029312204223978312014-09-15T21:22:00.000-07:002014-09-16T16:13:18.207-07:00A comma, a divided compound word, and a long sentence....All that stands between me and passing this freaking 4th task for US and World History.... SERIOUSLY!! So I made the corrections and deleted a line and resubmitted... third time's a charm right? #137 in the que. **** update- YES IT WAS!!***<br />
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Oh and I passed another class last night took the Care of the Older Adult test and PASSED! Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-4248155363445996132014-09-14T18:30:00.000-07:002014-09-14T18:30:03.950-07:00Analysis of Humanities... a projectSeriously who the heck makes up some of these assignments? 3 topics that relate to my profession randomly need to be picked from art, film, and a specific list of literary choices... like really! What am I suppose to do read all frigging 20 of them? <br />
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I am almost done with my Powerpoint and seriously hoping that the BS I fill it with is enough to meet the rubric. I am just filling in the points and trying to use the key words to make it sound real. Some topics suggest 4-7 slides... I can fit a compare and contrast into one... should I really do 4-7 ? That's 21 slides just for one section alone and there are 4 sections with subsections galore... who on earth wants to sort through and grade that?<br />
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Urgh! Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132178899418644763.post-70391949606541845672014-09-13T16:16:00.000-07:002014-09-13T16:24:09.512-07:002 and 3/4 Finished Still waiting on revision for task 4 of my GKE1 Applications: in US and World History) class. <br />
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PASSED the GKT1 Analysis: of US and World History Class on the first attempt! Woot- Powerpoint accepted!<br />
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PASSED the Applications of Humanities final I had scheduled for next week. I pushed it up a week and took it today instead. Was a bit nerve wracking and seriously I think I just guessed at most of the questions... however I improved my score from a 64% cut score to a 71% cut score. (Cut scores are not percentages based on a 100% grade btw- it's some totally other weird subjective formula... in this class for instance a passing cut score was 55%)Azmomo2andcountinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15798400699942566638noreply@blogger.com0