Starting the second week of classes, hopefully students are overcoming the initial stress of getting back into a routine here at Bloomsburg. My first week back was stressful to say to the least as clinical orientation, lab procedures, class requirements and starting my lacrosse season has been challenging to balance. With that said, I personally thrive off having a routine and sticking to a schedule. The demands of nursing while also being a member of the lacrosse team definitely keeps me busy, but I would not trade either. As a student athlete it is important to take advantage of opportunities given to me due to the fact of time being so valuable. Having a busy schedule keeps me being proactive with my studies because in order to play lacrosse I need to keep my grades satisfactory.
Being here at Bloomsburg University, I am grateful for every opportunity I am given from the people and experiences through lacrosse to the academic opportunities the university provides. Taking control of my own education to accelerate my learning and build relationships along with professional experience will hopefully payoff in my future career as a nurse. This point is exemplified in the reading Claim Your Education throughout the topic of joining a scholarly community. It is up to the student to decide how to the take these four years here at Bloomsburg as far as opportunities and involvement go. We are a part of an opportunity not everyone has the chance to get which is another reason to take full advantage of opportunities here. Furthermore, I resonated with the section regarding intellectual curiosity, always wanting to know more and why. Staying active in the classroom is challenging some days when I am tired or have a lot on my mind, but it is something I want to work on this semester. Actively participating in class is crucial during this semester for me because I am starting clinicals which means patient care. No longer is getting something wrong just a point off, it is now compromising care to a client. This is a lot of pressure, but the nursing department offers opportunities to practice skills in the simulated learning lab, SLL, which I use frequently. For me this reading recapped a few points I either try to implement in my studies or am working on being better at. It also motivated me in the way that I am in control of what I make of my time here, so I better make the most of it.
I was interested in the discussion about Gen Ed classes merely because the majority of students look at these classes as something to just get through or a GPA boost. There is a side to consider with Gen Ed classes regarding other disciplines and how they can benefit your own. Also, I believe Gen Ed classes provide a great basis of knowledge that can be used in multiple walks of life. Of course, it may seem odd to learn about a tribe in Guatemala with a population less than 50 people that follows an unheard-of religion, but to the open minded student learning about them might spark an idea that can improve their own life. This all ties back to the idea that being part of a scholarly community is participating in learning to be a better individual.
Through this class, I want to become a better writer, but I also want to become a better student. There will most likely be an abundance of resources, including Dr. Martin, aside from the textbooks for this course that will aid me in doing so. Being able to efficiently communicate a message that is understandable about patients to the next healthcare professional is a very important component to nursing. I hope to be able to apply techniques taught here to my education and future career. Overall, A degree from any university is a chance to become something greater- to what degree? That is up to the student. It is our responsibility to be the best student we can be while growing as an individual in terms of maturity along the way.
Erica Wolfgang's Blog 
Erica,
Thank you for your initial response. It certainly sounds as if you have your plate full, but I know I am more productive when I am busy than if I was not as involved in things. When I have a multitude of things to do, I am more effective. This year I have a 17 year old foreign exchange student. He keeps me grounded and reminds me there are things outside my job. It has also kept me more focused and careful to get things done in a timely way than when he was not here.
I think your comment about not trading it for anything is an important one. You have chosen a particular path and you have also learned to manage that path. We often want to play the victim of our choices and blame others when things get real. I have worked with nursing students off and on since I first began teaching almost 30 years ago. I know first hand what you are required to do, but in addition, I am also empathetic. As a person with Crohn’s and 11 abdominal surgeries later, I have a profound appreciation for nurses, surgeons, enterostomal therapists, and others. If you look at the signature in my email, you will see I am now an adjunct professor at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. I am working with first and third year medical students.
I have a strong sense of needing to be connected to the nursing students here and I am glad to me working on this class with all of you.
Dr. Martin
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