Petra commented on group #1,3,4,5
The month of February was a month were we truly began our group work for the course by submitting our first actual group work. We lost a member of our group, putting us at 2 groups members. Due to this, it took us some time to get our focus on our project and figure out how to accomplish our assignment and our communication with each other. It is difficult to try and balance the demands of the coursework along with our other commitments. We discussed how to help each other out during these hectic and difficult times, which I think only has helped our group grow and set some expectations.
The month of February was a month were we truly began our group work for the course by submitting our first actual group work. We lost a member of our group, putting us at 2 groups members. Due to this, it took us some time to get our focus on our project and figure out how to accomplish our assignment and our communication with each other. It is difficult to try and balance the demands of the coursework along with our other commitments. We discussed how to help each other out during these hectic and difficult times, which I think only has helped our group grow and set some expectations.
One thing that I think we can do for future group work is to look ahead to not only the upcoming assignment but even the one after that to decide what each member is going to do that way, there is time to work on it ahead of time, if we can, and able to get each part to the other group member for approval or revisions. Hopefully this will help when we have weeks that are hectic and not able to work on the projects as much but at the same time, the other group member will be able to step in and help out and able to meet the deadline requirements of the project.
I (Petra) know for myself, a few weeks ago I found out that my unit, in the hospital where I work, was shutting down and I would be out of work by the end of the month. That officially happened the beginning of this week. After hearing the news, I felt very overwhelmed with the "what ifs" that were going to happen in life as my husband is a full time nursing student and I am the one that makes the money for the household. I felt as if my mind was scattered initially with how and what were we going to do? I have since found some peace realizing that we were going to be okay for a couple of months and my husband graduates in May and hopefully by then, I will be back to work and things will be ok. I have found some temporary part time work for a friend of mine who owns a nursing home so that will be helpful. I have applied for some positions but haven't heard anything from them yet. To keep my mind peaceful, I continue to work on building up my craft show stock (hand painted children's furniture and jewelry). This is my creative outlet and has been helpful during this time.
I(Erin) have learned that by working ahead, I am able to delegate and organize my time more efficiently. I travel for work almost every week so time can be an issue. However, spending a few hours each day on homework allows me to finish my tasks and honor my commitments.
I like that your group is thinking out ahead of the assignments. I think sometimes it takes time to develop a topic of interest. When you give yourself adequate time, it gives you a chance to weigh your options. Good job!
ReplyDeleteHi Rob, we were hoping that attempting our future projects this way will help when times are hectic so that we can work ahead when we can. Its harder when working in a group because each person has their own commitments outside of class and sometimes those commitments seem to take over. Hoping this strategy works for our group:)
DeletePetra - so sorry to hear about your job. I hope you can find another long-term job soon.
ReplyDeleteI've also found that looking ahead on the syllabus can be very helpful. Last semester I took EDAC 634 and eventually realized all the assignments were building off each other. I didn't come to this understanding for a little while because I wasn't reading through all the requirements closely enough. I ended up having to do more work for myself because I didn't have an end-goal in mind for the final project of the course. I essentially had to re-work some of the smaller pieces that were earlier assignments because they didn't fit into the final project.
Thanks Ben. It was very unexpected but after the initial shock and some time, I know things will be okay. Nursing jobs are not as plentiful as they once were. The nursing shortage isn't as short as before but something will come along. I have faith. What this experience has done is prompted me to decide that I do indeed need to go ahead and get my nurse practitioner so I have been in communication with my academic adviser to see if it is possible to work on two different degrees at the same time:)
DeleteThat is some great advice about the final project. I also took EDAC 634 last spring but I have to admit, I don't remember all that was included in the project. Looking ahead will help with knowing the end goal and hopefully we won't have to do more work. Thanks again.
Ben,
DeleteThese are the great suggestions you gave to Petra and Erin! I am sure your suggestions are helpful for other students too!
Bo
Petra
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry about your job. Yesterday was the last day for many at Ivy Tech who accpeted early retirement. It is hard to say goodbye after 12 years. I hope you find a position that suits your personaility and interests. Are you able to teach nursing? Nursing educator positions are in great demand and usually pay well.
I like how your group organized and planned ahead to maximize available time.
Mary,
DeleteI appreciate you sentiments about my job. It was truly unexpected. As far as being able to teach nursing. That is one of my ultimate goals however, you need a minimum of a Master's degree in Nursing and that is what I am working on currently. So as of right now, I don't have the qualifications. I am only 4 classes shy of finishing. The unfortunate things is that because of when courses are offered, it will take me 4 more semesters:(
Petra,
ReplyDeleteI can relate with the crazy frantic happenings that come along with difficult change. Lost/change in employment is super stressful especially with family. Sounds to me that you and Erin have quite the positive group work relationship.
BTW- Ben, brilliant advice above about looking ahead in the syllabus. All the assignments build on each other. Keith
Yes Keith, It has been a positive group work experience. We want to be there for each other when times are hectic and have worked out a system for us to be able to discuss these times among ourselves and be able to support each other.
DeletePetra as others have said i would like to extend my condolences at the loss of your job. I know that can be a very stressful experience and I want to commend you on sticking with the program while dealing with the personal stress of change. I agree that it is smart to look at least to assignments ahead in order to keep up with all the work that the groups have to do. Good time managmenet is key to being successful in this type of online environment.
ReplyDeleteChris, Thank you for the kind words of encouragement. The experience of losing my job was very unexpected. None of us at our job thought they would be shutting down our unit since our unit brought in 40% of the income for the hospital. But I just have to believe that things happen for a reason. I am finding ways to fill my time and keep my mind busy. I haven't had this much time to read books just for me, and not textbooks, in such a long time so that has also been nice:)
DeletePetra and Erin,
ReplyDeleteI have graded your most recent assignment and you two improved the quality of your assignment a lot! I am very glad that you are making a big progress in your project! I like the idea of looking ahead to not only the upcoming assignment but even the one after that! Ben's suggestions have already justified why it is important to look ahead.
Petra,
It is hard to lose a job. But think positively, you also gained more time to read, and to gain more knowledge for your future career. So it is not totally a bad thing. Who knows, years later after you find an ideal job which fits in your interests, you may be thankful for this temporary change in your life.
Bo
Bo, Thank you on the positive comments of the paper. I have to admit, it is the quality it is because of Erin. She has a good eye for pulling it all together and making great suggestions to make it a great paper.
DeleteAlso, you are right about loosing my job. It was a shock but in the end, I think it is going to be a positive situation. Because of what happened and also looking forward into what the health care industry will look like in the future, has prompted me to make the decision to go ahead and add the extra coursework to become a Nurse Practitioner. It was a decision I had been teetering with for years but hadn't committed it it until now. My husband graduates from college with his nursing degree in May and we have discussed how he will work full time and I will work part time or even PRN (as needed) and go to school full time, if possible.
Sorry to hear about the loss of your job. Group 3 also went from a 3 person group to a 2 person group so I understand the initial confusion. I wondered why one group member didn't respond to the emails, then realized she was no longer a part of the group. I think smaller groups can be easier to divide the work. It is good that you are looking ahead at assignments and deciding how to best divide the work.
ReplyDeleteThe division of school, work, and personal time is very difficult. Being a working adult does take planning and even with planning sometimes our time is stretched too thin. You both seem to understand what it takes to work in a small group and realize that means a bit more work for each of you.
ReplyDelete