My emotions have been all over the place lately. I’ve been excited, nervous, anxious, scared, hopeful, enthusiastic, sad.
I have accepted my admission into the University of Wyoming BRAND program and I begin my 2nd Bachelor’s in Nursing program in approximately 6 weeks. May 14th. Before then I have to finish my position as a Nanny with the kids I’ve been taking care of for 2.5 years and then I get to fly back to California to see my family.
In August, I will move to Wyoming for an entire year to work in various clinical settings in the city of my choosing. There are two specific weeks where I will be able to travel to rural areas of the state and work in mental health settings. But during the other 50 weeks I’ll be in the city I choose to live in, shadowing a nurse and eventually working as one. There is a chance to go on a medical mission to Honduras next spring as part of the program and you can bet I will be considering that opportunity also.
Right now I’m in between happiness and sadness. I’m thrilled to have been accepted to such a great program and I’m excited to start working towards my nursing degree. Finally. It’s been a long time coming… I probably should have gotten my act together a lot sooner and applied right after college, but I some more classes to take. And I had a lot of growing up to do. And I’ve definitely grown up. The sad part about being accepted into the program in Wyoming was turning down my acceptance into one of the schools here in Colorado. But when the options were weighed I realized the school in Wyoming was much better. And the program in Wyoming is 15 months in duration as compared to Colorado Christian’s program which is 27 months in duration. From the moment I sat down for my interview with the program coordinator at the University in Laramie, Wyoming, I felt the urge to become a part of their school. The campus was impressive and the science building even more so. The program seems to be very organized and efficient. I could not be more impressed with their timeliness and communication and their help with the application and the post-application and acceptance process.
I have no doubt I will miss Denver more than words can say. I absolutely love it here. I will be heartbroken on the day I say goodbye to this gorgeous city. I can’t wait to return as an RN and set up my life here. In one year from now I’ll be only 4 months from graduation and will be able to start dreaming of being back in Colorado! But for now I realize I only have 4.5 months left in this state before I set out on my next big adventure.
I’ll have help, so that is very comforting. This past week I was awarded a $10,000 scholarship from the University. The money will help pay for tuition. I’m feeling so blessed. My family will come out to Colorado and help me make the move to Wyoming. I’m glad I will have their support during the transition time!
My biggest worries right now are about which city I will be living in in Wyoming. While Casper is recommended, I can also choose Jackson Hole, Gillette, Cody, Rock Springs. Right now I am leaning toward Casper but the adventure-lover in me wants so badly to choose Jackson Hole. Living near the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone? In one of the most gorgeous places in the country? Having a ski resort mountain town as my backyard? Who wouldn’t want that? But it’s 8.5 hours from Denver and it snows a lot. A lot. I’d be mostly trapped for the winter because the highways get shut down because of the snow. But then I think of the adventure opportunities and the beauty and it’s hard to let the snow and harsh winter ruin those thoughts.
Within the week I’ll know my entire summer schedule. And in 6 weeks I’ll know my classmates and will be discussing, with them, where we all want to move. In past years students have chosen locations together and rented houses or apartments and carpooled together. I hope this year is similar. It would be nice to have a group of women to go through the transitions with.
There are going to be many changes in the next few months. I keep this verse in mind when I start to stress about the future… “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11
Some pictures I found..
Casper, Wyoming
Jackson, Wyoming
Mother Moose and Calf in downtown Jackson, Wyoming
| jenn at home | 