Every experience in our life leaves a footprint in our minds. These footprints shape our character and philosophy. To me, one of such kinds of footprints is my experience during BSN program.
My association is that getting Bachelor of Science in Nursing is similar to getting a black belt in Tea Kwon Do. Rick English once said that “A black belt is nothing more than a belt that goes around your waist. Being a black belt is a state of mind and attitude.” I found a close similarity among Bachelor Degree and a black belt. Getting each item would not mean anything. It is just a materialistic representation of my way. What really does matter is the way itself, the uneasy path laid down for changing my perspective.
I have been going through a lot to get this degree. I cannot say that it was only a positive experience. However, it did worth it. I remember how I took more classes each semester against my program coordinator’s and Director’s advice to finish faster (with my own planned schedule the two-year program was completed in one year). I thank them for allowance me to do it. I believe their expectations were more than justified. My GPA has been 3.6 so far, which will increase NYC College of Technology’s average GPA and reputation. I also remember the lack of time to complete all the cumbersome assignments due to jammed schedule and taking a bunch of classes concurrently. Usually, all Nursing classes at NYCCT were scheduled on Wednesdays. In addition to that, there were often online assignments and term papers as well. This was too much! For example, I had to attend clinical in the morning, travel to the college to take two more classes in the afternoon, and work on my other assignments. I also cannot forget sleep-deprived nights when I was doing my assignments to finish them on time.
Of course, some may say that effective time management may be the key in previously described experience. To those, I would like to remind that I took double of classes to finish BSN program faster. Moreover, there were also work, housekeeping, family (children and senior parent), and volunteering. I was not sitting and doing nothing during the free from college days. Regardless of all that, I was able to succeed in BSN program.
In conclusion, BSN program was an astonishing experience for me. Yes, I have learned a pile of valuable things, which will serve me in my future nursing practice. However, the whole process of taking the BSN classes was driving me crazy. I faced with many obstacles such as constant lack of time, being sleep-deprived, and stressed most of the time.
P.S. I hope that my honest evaluation will not affect your opinion about me. There is a huge thank to my BSN Professors, Doctors, and clerks for giving them all to this program! I hope they will have enough energy and desire to ‘manufacture’ a lot of good students who, collaboratively with all inspired Americans and our President, will “Make America Great Again!” (Ronald Reagan, 1980)
