#early offer

It’s not really Christmas until you’ve had a red cup.

Your first taste, courtesy of @digitalchase.

i have gotten an official offer into university!!

bachelor of nursing, full time!!!

so pumped for my future!!!

Last Friday night, right before bed time (which was rather early, considering I had my first shift in 7 weeks at 8:30am the next morning), I decided to check my email. I had an email from a uni that had been on my preference list for courses next year, however it wasn't at the top of my list and the email was only to inform me of an upcoming information session. I had a niggling feeling that I should check out the VTAC website, just based on the timing of this email. Anyway, there was a notice about early offers being made that day. Curious, I navigated to the offers page and was stunned to see an offer from my top preference, to study Nursing/Midwifery with my current University. I had heard so much about early offers for teachers, I didn't even realise they had them for my course too. I was so shocked and am only just getting over it now.

I never wanted to be a nurse/midwife from the get go, it was just a viable option that gradually developed more and more into an option I would be happy with. Some of my family are surprised, others happy, and some a little confused or, in the case of my mother, disappointed. I used to (and part of me still does) want to be a doctor, but the barriers to get in are just huge. I missed out on doing the GAMSAT exam last year because its done so stupidly early in the year (the exam to get in 2013 is done in March 2012). I have also just found out that it costs $425 just to sit it. I understand that they need to pay the markers and so forth, but it's a fair whack of money to spend on something that I most likely won't get into anyway. I will need to buy my nursing uniform early next year (shirt, pants, shoes - more than $100, probably closer to $200), a stethoscope set (nearly $200), get vaccinated (no idea how much), books (looks to be at least $300 for only two subjects, unless a miracle happens and I can get some second-hand) etc. So spending $425 to apply for medicine which I probably won't get into seems like a waste. I also need to keep saving hard for the times when I'm on placement and can't work, or if I need to travel far for placements. My other aspiration of being a vet is also very unlikely to be realised, seeing as how competitive it is to get into the course.

I'm starting to feel very positive about the way things are headed. I can stay in my hometown and not have to commute far to uni every day. I can still fit in some shifts at work, seeing as I won't be wasting hours on trains etc. The profression itself will be challenging and difficult but also rewarding. I think I can do this. I've started a separate blog on wordpress to keep track of my experiences and thoughts while I study http://fromstudenttonursemidwife.wordpress.com  I will still be writing on this blog as a more general life-blog, still with an emphasis on getting fit and healthy.