The first thing that I want to say is that I hope that everyone who has read this blog and is starting their program this quarter or semester is excited and ready to have an amazing experience! It will be an amazing experience - I promise. Good luck!!
When I last left off, I was starting the summer off with an attempt to get my qualifying exams written. I wanted to let you guys know that I have completed one. And yes, one is two short of what my goal was, but I am still pretty excited to have done that one! I've started my second paper and I am diligently working on it now. In addition to writing the exams this quarter (and hopefully passing the oral exams), I'm also attempting to revise and re-submit for a training grant. And, now that my funding has decreased (I managed to secure fees coverage), I am also working half-time between two jobs - one is a research position and one is a clinical position. I feel *busy!*
I've always argued that working during this program is difficult, and now I am certain of it. But, working does give some structure to my days, and it helps me feel a little more rounded as a person (and a nurse!), so I'm glad to be working at both jobs.
I also want to put in my usual plug in for taking vacations during the PhD program. I was pretty burned out by the start of this summer and I tried to work straight through it. I was not particularly successful. Mental exhaustion is as stymieing as physical exhaustion and I was pretty stuck this summer. And then we took a long vacation (more than two weeks) in Canada. It was wonderful and when I came back I felt so much better! More importantly, I felt much more able to work. Rest, both mental and physical, is important. Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint!
I'll leave you guys with a picture from Canada:
I hope to be posting more frequently on the blog this quarter, but I know I've written that before. Please feel free to post questions/comments, they motivate me to post!
Hi! I just finished reading through your blog. Congrats on starting your third year! I am considering doing a PhD as well and your posts have been very helpful.
ReplyDeletekatie
Hi Katie!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment! I'm glad to hear that you are considering PhD studies and that the blog has been helpful. Feel free to post questions here on any the application process or anything else. I might not have an answer, but another reader could...
I really do appreciate comments! They motivate me to post!
Hello, Dr. Nurse! Well, I just started my PhD program here. It's been a lot of reading, writing for grants (already!!), meeting new (very smart) people, figuring out what my research question IS. Getting really good at the elevator speech, learning about other peoples' interests, and getting somewhat proficient at writing essays.
ReplyDeleteEvery day I have to convince myself that I'm at the right place at the right time. :) I found a great mentor out on the West Coast, at UCSF, so it's a perfect match between my mentor here on the East Coast.
I'm sure I will have a lot more questions coming up this year.
Allright, need to get back at reading some Kuhn. :)
~Nursing buddy from PA>
Hi Nursing Buddy from PA,
ReplyDeleteI apologize for taking so long to respond. It's been a busy quarter, and it's not even half way over yet!
It sounds like your'e doing really, really well. The elevator speech is my nemesis! I *still* haven't perfected mine!
I'd love to hear more about what grants you're writing (your program is good to have started you already doing that ) and I'd love to know more about what classes you're taking. I don't know many people well that are in other programs, and I'm always interested to know how much overlap there is between programs. Feel free to post thoughts, feelings, questions!
It sounds very much like you're in the right place! Keep going - it only gets more interesting from here. :)
Dr. Nurse