You Must Be Smart

It's weird to think about, but it's time I start focusing. The MEPN program begins in three weeks and the amount of change, work, growth, excitement and exhaustion that awaits me still doesn't feel real. The transition process has assisted the impending change to sink in. Friday was my last day of work and today I relished sleeping in (until 8:30 am) and then I had a fun day around the city, including going to SFMOMA. Methinks this won't happen as much over the summer, while in school. I (think I) have all my books for the summer quarter, which are lined up on my bookshelf as a bound reminder of: a) how much studying I will do, and b) how heavy my bag will be going to and from school. Last week was my final group fitness class at my Oakland gym...I really enjoyed the class and my instructor.  We talked after class and she asked where I was going to nursing school. When I said UCSF, she said "oh, you must be smart." That sort of hit me by surprise. But it did help me reconcile the internal process I have been on (for so long) to discern nursing is for me and gain acceptance to my 'dream' program with the impressions and assumptions others have about the profession and institution I am about to join. I do think that the UCSF School of Nursing will provide a really stimulating environment for learning and professional development. I also look forward to bonding with and learning from my classmates, many of whom seem very driven, motivated and excited. We apparently also have a "MEPN Buddy", someone who has already completed the MEPN year and can share with us helpful insights and strategies (like, "where is the bathroom" and "how do I do this program?").  Those will probably be some of my first questions whenever she or he (likely she, the program is 85%-90% female) contacts me. Until I hear from my buddy and begin orientation with a TB mask fitting, I will be enjoying my freedom and quieting my pre-MEPN anxieties by going to my homeland...the bucolic Midwest. I think the prairie and lakes will do me good and I'm glad I made the choice to go back home before this all starts. But, then again, I shouldn't be surprised; of course I planned it all out superbly. After all, I am smart.