Message from Betty Legan

I have been a nurse four years with experience in the OR and at Onslow County Health Department. I do well child physicals and Postpartum Home Visits. I really enjoy working the families. My reason for returning to school is to work as a school nurse. I feel that the benefits and job opportunities are greater in the nursing field with a BSN. I sure hope this is true!!! I am excited to finally be at this point to complete what I started in the ADN program.

Message from Larry Jordan

Hey everyone, I work at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit. I love Hearts. I like to work with wood, hunt, and fish when I have free time. These hobbies really help me to unwind and refocus. I am married with three children, age 8, 12, and 14.I am really excited about getting back into school to finish my BSN. This semester is the first step in a much larger goal and educational experience. I want to go on and receive a Masters degree with a concentration in Nurse Anesthesia.I am sorry but I do not have any pictures of myself at this time to submit.
(Part II) I have been a nurse for three years andhve enjoyed the entire time. I, like many of you, find navigating through the blackboard somewhat frustrating. each day does seem to bring some level of confidence and some new issues. I believe that this is going to be a very great learnig process for me and am looking forward to the challenges ahead.

Message from Amy Merritt

I have been married to my wonderful husband Chris for 5 years and we are expecting our first child, a little boy, around 12/01/07. I am looking forward to exam time!! I graduated from Sampson Community College in May of 2006. I work on the Cardiac Medical Telemetry Unit at New Hanover and love it. Cardiac is my favorite, but I am keeping my options open because I am not sure where I want to go with my masters once I have completed my BSN. I am anxious about returning to school because this is my first attempt at online courses. Like many, I am overwhelmed with navigating through blackboard. It has been less than a week since returning to school so I can not say whether my expectations have been met or not. At this time the whole experience and navigations are increaing my anxiety. I look forward to sharing this experience with everyone. I will attach a picture at a later date. My main interest at the present time is preparing for the new addition and working on the nursery. I enjoy time with my family and friends. I enjoy drag racing as well.

Message from Christine Harris

Hi, I have an ADN and work at New Hanover Regional in the CVICU. My specialty area is Cardiac. I have many hobbies few in current practice but I run 15-20 miles a week, rollarblade play tennis and eat a lot of Sushi yum! My personal feelings about returning to school is frustration trying to enable theses pop-up blockers to view power points on Web CT. Other than that I have attended CFCC for the last year so schools not exactly knew for me. School is new taking nursing courses again and geting into a clinical state of mind. My goals and reasons for returning to school are to go to anesthesia school next year when I graduate from UNCW in the spring, and to become a better, and more advocating practioner.After reading the chapter 2 readings on returning to school I found it extremely helpful. There was a lot of information about time management techniques, good study habbits, additional resources we can use whether it be at UNCW or at home to make the transition back to school smothe. The readings are definately geared for the older adult that has been out of school for a while to make them more comfortable and decrease their stress. I particularly enjoyed the fact that It was an easy, and understandable reading assignment that kept me interested I didn't have to reread anything because I fell asleep.Picture is attached as requested: What makes me stand out well I'm guessing no one else submitted a picture in a cowboy hat out dancing I think the picture speaks for itself about what makes me stand out. I guess you could say I'm a good nurse that knows how to let loose and have fun for sanity's sake.

Message from Amanda Short

Hello. I received my ADN from James Sprunt Community College in May 2006. I recently started a new job at NHRMC on the cardiac medical telemetry unit, and continue to work prn at a dialysis center in Burgaw. I am excited about returning to school. My goal is to graduate from UNCW in 1 year with my BSN. I look forward to this semester.My hobbies are water sports and photography. I will try and post a picture soon. I like to take pictures, but I do not like having my picture made:)

Message from Joe Waters

Hello, I served in the Army from 1976-1998. Upon my retirement from the Army, I attended Southeastern Community College. I completed my LPN in 1999 and RN in 2001. I have been a Med Surg nurse since 1999. I have held positions as a staff nurse, assistant nurse manager, and most recently as a med surg nurse manager at a small community hospital. I am presently transitioning jobs. I have interviewwed for several positions and will soon decide on which direction I am going to take my nursing career. Upon my entry into the BSN program, I decided to look for a job that will reduce my work hours as well as my level of responsibilty.My initial goal is to complete my BSN. Once I complete my BSN, I am considering working towards my FNP. I am a little anxious about being in nursing school again. The biggest difference between now and when I was in nursing school before is that I am married and have children. Time is of a premium and I will have to make sure that I balance it between work, family, and school. I am married to Tara, also a RN, and have a 5 yr old daughter and 3 yr old son. I enjoy being with my family and doing just about anything outdoors. I look forward to interacting and learning with everyone.I have went back and attached a picture as requested. As far as standing out, I am a 6"2" retired soldier that now works as a male nurse. With very little effort, I stick out like a sore thumb!

Message from Joe Waters

Hello, I served in the Army from 1976-1998. Upon my retirement from the Army, I attended Southeastern Community College. I completed my LPN in 1999 and RN in 2001. I have been a Med Surg nurse since 1999. I have held positions as a staff nurse, assistant nurse manager, and most recently as a med surg nurse manager at a small community hospital. I am presently transitioning jobs. I have interviewwed for several positions and will soon decide on which direction I am going to take my nursing career. Upon my entry into the BSN program, I decided to look for a job that will reduce my work hours as well as my level of responsibilty.My initial goal is to complete my BSN. Once I complete my BSN, I am considering working towards my FNP. I am a little anxious about being in nursing school again. The biggest difference between now and when I was in nursing school before is that I am married and have children. Time is of a premium and I will have to make sure that I balance it between work, family, and school. I am married to Tara, also a RN, and have a 5 yr old daughter and 3 yr old son. I enjoy being with my family and doing just about anything outdoors. I look forward to interacting and learning with everyone.I have went back and attached a picture as requested. As far as standing out, I am a 6"2" retired soldier that now works as a male nurse. With very little effort, I stick out like a sore thumb!

Message from Stephen Harris

Hello everyone. I work in Cardiopulmonary rehab at Craven Regional Medical Center in New Bern NC. I am very anxious about returning to nursing school, but I am also looking forward to the experience. I am considering the FNP program if I can survive the BSN classes

Connie Ivey

Hello everyone!!! I graduated in 2003 from Southeastern Community College and started my nursing career on the L/D floor in Whiteville. Presently, I am a School Nurse in Whiteville. My husband and I have two wonderful children, one boy (7yrs) and one girl (3 yrs). My career goal at present is to become Nationally Certified in School Nursing and earning my Bachelors degree is part of that process. I wish you all success in this class and future endeavors.

Message from Allison Scott

Hello, I am a RN at Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton, NC. I have been a RN for four years. I worked in the Emergency Room for 3 and 1/2 years and I currently work in the Cardiac Cath Lab and prn in the ER. I am enrolled in the RN-MSN with FNP option. I am also a mother of 2 girls and 1 boy ages 7,4, and 2. With all that is going on in my life I really do not have any hobbies, but ocassanly I like to cross stich.

Message from Tawna White

Hello everyone. I graduated from Western Piedmont Community College in May 1998. I currently work at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune on L&D and I have pretty much always worked L&D. My husband is active duty Navy, he is a nurse also. He works in the OR. I have 2 boys, age 13 & 8. I want to get my BSN as a personal goal. I'm not sure what I'll do after that.

Message from Sarah Post

Hello everyone. I just graduated from nursing school from Brunswick In May and moved to Raleigh to began my nursing career at Wake Med Hospital (Cardiac step down unit)!! Decided to continue my education by trying for my BSN!! However I do feel that this online class is a little overwhelming at first...hopefully it wont seem so in a couple of weeks!!

Message from Lydia Edwards

I am an Infection Control Practitioner at Craven Regional Medical Center in New Bern, NC. I like many outdoor activities, such as biking, walking, beaching:). I am married and I have 1 married daughter and THE MOST ADORABLE grandson who is the apple of my eye, but he lives in New Jersey so I would have to say that traveling is another past-time of mine. I am going back to school to eventually obtain my MSN and then teach nursing. I am absolutely thrilled at the prospect of continuing my education on line. I have taken several on-line classes and I love the flexibility of on-line classes. So far this program has met my expectations.I am looking forward to working with you all and I am sure we will become quite close over the next year or so. So good luck to everyone! Talk to you all soon.

Message from Betty Worthy

I live in Beulaville, N.C. I have 3 children ages 32,29, and 26. I have been an RN since 1998. I work on the Psychiatric Unit at Duplin General Hospital as a staff Nurse and have worked on the Skilled Unit at Cherry Hospital, the Cardiac Unit in Greensboro, N.C. and the Psychiatric Unit in Greensboro. I look forward to broadening my knowledge in Nursing so that I can teach Nursing in the future. I am anxious to work with staff and students.

Message from Pamela Schmierer

Hello everyone! I have lived in NC for 10 years, and have spent the past eight months working at Northside Hospital in Atlanta (Med/Surg). Now that I am back home, I am working at Davis Healthcare Center in Porter's Neck (Skilled Nursing/Long Term Care). I am working toward my BSN to help enhance my nursing skills and expand my career options in the future.

Messages from NSG 316-2007 Classmates

Welcome to NSG 316-2007!