What Did I Get Myself Into?

After two weeks of nursing school I am E.X.H.A.U.S.T.E.D! I know it was going to be a challenge but I am so overwhelmed! There's so many outside school work that I can't even fit some of it on the space of my agenda!

My fellow student bloggers and I have numerous  blogs about tips on how to stay on top of school, be organize and stay motivated. However, sometimes all the hard work doesn't seem to be worth it when we lose ourselves in the chaos we call college.

I have always had this yearning to help people and with this drive, I always have wanted to be in the medical field. After years of schooling, especially the first years of college, I knew I was working towards my goal to become a nurse... but it has become a vision to get a degree. I realize that I have been so consumed with the commotion of college that I have somehow put aside the reason why I wanted this RN title in the first place.

College of Nursing Showcase Day at UT Tyler

The University of Texas at Tyler is hosting College Showcase Week in the month of February! This new event is very beneficial to prospective students. College Showcase Week is a bit more personal and major specific compare to Patriots Preview Day. This event designates one College per day through the week of  February 10th through the 13th. Each program will be held from 9 AM- 1:30 PM

I'm Back!

       After a semester of being away from the Call Center, I can't express how much I miss this second family of mine! I am so pleased to see familiar faces as well as two new ones:) Carver. and Dallas., I'm excited to get to know you guys better!

Flu Shots! at UT Tyler.

Fun Fact: Those who live in university housing are more likely to get sick. 

The university is offering a flu shot clinic for students and employees.

"Those who are covered on UT Select are able to receive free flu shots. Students and dependents who are not on UT Tyler’s health insurance plan may receive the inoculation for $15 (cash or check only). Benefits-eligible employees are asked to bring their Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance card or employee ID for billing purposes."

They will be offered at:

Tuesday, Oct. 15 and Wednesday, Oct. 16 in the Braithwaite Nursing Building room 2440 from

Noon – 6 p.m. 

 Thursday, Oct. 31 in the University Center during the UT Tyler Health Fair (other services such as blood pressure and cholesterol screening are also available during this time) from ---11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

If you are unable to get you flu shot at these times.

Do not fret!

Flu shots also are available 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 2 – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the University Health Clinic on a walk-in basis. 

I will not be joining everyone in this joyous event!

as the last three times I was given a flu shot,

I had severe allergic reaction to the flu shot!

Valkerie’s Debut

Welcome to my page 

Hey readers, it’s me- Valkerie Burkart! I’m new to telecounseling. This is my second year here at The University of Texas at Tyler and I am a nursing major. I went into nursing because I want to become a pediatric nurse after college. This has been my dream since I was a little girl because of my love for people and helping others.

 I have a lot of other interests that have helped shaped me to be the young woman I am today. I love kittens, puppies…pretty much baby anything! I will make things easier on your eyes and list my favorite things a la Julie Andrews style: 

True story, the hills are alive!

These are a few of my favorite things:

Hello, we are so happy to see you <3

• ·         Traveling (I’m going to Japan in 2016 and Brazil/Argentina for GATE in 2014!)
• ·         German Shepherds (I have one named Dakota. She’s my baby <3)
• ·         Pink and Sparkles
• ·         Fashion/Interior Design (Old French Couture)
• ·         Smiling is my favorite
• ·         Sunsets and Sweet Tea
• ·         Dance/ Drill Team
• ·         Costume Conventions!

I fell in love with UT Tyler because the scenery here is so tranquil and peaceful. The university is kept so clean and neat and the people are so unique here. Everyone that I have met here in Tyler have been so kind and helpful, and I have met my closest friends here My experiences here at UT Tyler have been amazing so far and I want to guide others to a place where they can find a place where they feel as at home as I do.

The fun has been doubled. Again.

I am so excited to meet my readers and be a guide to all of you. I believe in inspiring and exhilarating those around me! I hope you will follow up on the blog and please don’t be shy in the comments. Let me know what you’d like to see from me in future posts!

My goodness, I just love kittens!

Out of City Experiences, or ... Why Presenting Is Awesome!

   One of the most important things a person in an Arts & Humanities field can do before graduation is to plan and get experience *ANY WAY POSSIBLE* in a professional sense before you walk the aisle to get the empty diploma tube.  

Feb 15th - Nursing & Health Science Career Fair

             On Feb. 15th from 1pm to 4pm in the Ornelas Activity Center the Nursing & Health Science Career Fair will take place. Students must bring their Student ID. Students should be dressed business casual and be prepared to give some elaborate pitches to employers.

Nursing / Health Sciences Career Fair

If you are looking to start a new career, looking to see what jobs are being offered, or ways to network. This is going to be the place for you. Come and see what's being offered.

Level 1 Nursing

So I am going to post a little bit about my experience through level 1 of the nursing program.

Books

The books for nursing school are very expensive. I did quite a bit of research on prices before I decided who I would buy them from. There are ways to get cheaper books, usually used is a better way to go. Renting books is also possible, but supposedly we'll be using our books throughout the program so sending them back to a rental store each semester is not really an option.

Studying

Studying for nursing tests is pretty rough. I used a book called Successful Problem-Solving & Test-Taking for Beginning Nursing Students to help me get used to the style of questions that are on the tests.

Clinicals

During level 1 clinicals don't start immediately. The semester is divided up where you are in the lab learning all the different procedures that nurses do on a regular basis and the rest of the semester you're at the hospital. The lab days and the hospital days are pretty long. I typically went to sleep immediately after I got home if I didn't have to work. There is also quite a bit of preclinical work that is done before you show up to a clinical session. This work takes a lot of time especially if the patient has a lot of medications.

Working

I typically work around 15-22 hours a week while doing nursing full time. I feel like 20 hours is pretty difficult to work and keep up with school work. This is especially true for me since I try to put in about 10-12 hours of exercise a week as well. Having a job where you can request off when you need is also a good idea. I also never work the day before a test.