I found out last week that I will be going on resource next month.  Basically that means that I am on my own, but I have a specific person to whom I can use as a "resource".  I'm kind of nervous, but at the same time completely excited because this is what I've been working for these past 7 months. Woo hoo! I know I'm ready, I feel ready, but at the same time, I'm still scared to be free of the leash I've had on for all this time.

On another note, I was just thinking today that at this time last year I was getting ready for my final semester at Lourdes.  Hard to believe I've been out of school this long already.  I still feel like I'm supposed to be writing down my clinical experiences to be handed in to my instructors (which I miss you all, by the way!) or that there's going to be a test or something like that.  But I digress...

As usual, I'd like to offer a little advice to those of you who are going to be finished with your nursing degree this December. 

First things first--it's never too early to start looking for a job.  I applied to the Toledo Hospital in April, a full six months before I was finished with school.  I handed in my resume at St. V's in September.  I had a job lined up by November.  You all know where I chose to work.  Give yourself time to really think about the area you want to go into and what kind of hospital you want to work for.  Do you want to work in a big, level I trauma hospital or does the appeal of a small, county hospital seem like a good setting?  If you're into ICU, naturally I am going to suggest TTH for the simple fact that it is such a well-rounded program and I am not afraid to float because I've been to each area, including cardiac and neuro. 

Ok, so now you've got the whole job thing situated, or not, depending on what type of person you are.  Second thing, don't fall prey to senioritis.  It's a nasty little bug that creeps up on you about mid-semester.  You know you've got it when you don't even care what grades you get anymore, you just want to get your assignments done.  Wrong attitude.  This is the last hurrah.  Push yourself because just scraping by is going to lower that GPA of yours and possibly hinder any chance of getting into graduate school (should your little heart desire that).  Keep up on your work, don't procrastinate. 

Your final semester will kick you hard in the keester.  You will be exhausted, you will be emotional, you will be everyone's worst nightmare.  Say adios to your social life.  Nothing I say can even compare to what you will actually experience.  It's a roller coaster.  But once you're finished, it's all good. 

Next, prepare to be spending mucho time in the WIN Center or library.  If you don't know anyone there, you will by December.  And you'll know their life stories. And they'll be your surrogate family.  Kelly will be your mother and Kevin will be your brother/best friend.  Seriously.  And don't be afraid to use Kelly as your go to person for APA formatting.  She's a great resource.  Book group rooms early because they tend to go fast.  You will be using these rooms for your Management project.  Trust me.  I practically slept there.

Keep your heads up.  This semester has the potential to be the best and worst or both.  Don't let the bad times get you down.  More than ever you will rely on your classmates for support--including emotional support.  There will be laughter, there will be tears.  You can't get through this on your own. 

For a better idea of what my final semester at Lourdes was like, go to the "Students" category and click on "Kimberly".  Feel free to leave comments! 

Best of luck and I hope to see some of you here at the hospital!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008 5:38:23 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

This August, Chairman of the Board John Szuch presented a $50,000 check on behalf of the Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trusts to Lourdes College during a press conference. The check is part of a $100,000 pledge by Fifth Third Bank. Monies from the pledge were used to offset costs of the new academic building, comprised of Delp and McAlear Halls.

Born in Piqua, Ohio, in 1849 to German immigrants, Jacob G. Schmidlapp overcame poverty and great personal tragedy to become one of the most respected and successful men of his time. He founded the Union Savings Bank in 1876, which merged with Fifth Third Bank in 1919. In 1903, Mr. Schmidlapp established a trust to help improve lives by funding arts, health and human services, education and community development initiatives. A second Schmidlapp Trust was established in 1919.

Monday, August 11, 2008 3:58:57 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

• Lourdes College has a Facebook page.  Sign into your account and click "Become a fan" to join!
• You can also join us on MySpace. Thanks for the add (in advance)!
• You (and your student organization) can submit photos and videos to be featured on the LourdesWorld homepage. 
  
• Students, alumni, and faculty can submit profiles for our Features page.
• Student Activities and Recreation has moved to LourdesWorld ! You can also read back issues of the Weekly Howl online.
• The Cool Links section includes local resources and other fun stuff for students and friends of the College.
• Find out what's happening on campus in Student News.
  

Friday, August 01, 2008 11:37:50 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

Attention Students: Social Work

Company Description:  Lutheran Village at Wolf Creek, a progressive Continuing Care Retirement Community, is seeking applications for a full-time Social Worker.

Job Title:  SOCIAL WORKER

Job Description: Candidate must be a licensed Social Worker in the State of Ohio with knowledge of state, federal, and local standards.  A candidate with at least 1 year of long term experience is preferred.

Qualifications:

Application Method: Interested candidates should submit resume with three references to Human Resources at Lutheran Village at Wolf Creek, 2001 Perrysburg-Holland Rd., Holland, Ohio  43528, by fax to (419) 861-2234, or by email to jifry@lhsoh.org

EOE/Drug Free Workplace

Application Deadline:

Contact Person Information:

Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:06:31 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

Well, the days in Assisi are over. Our 'official' visit to the Basilica of Francis was wonderful. We had Mass at the tomb of Francis, which was a very powerful experience, and then had an amazing historical tour by one of the pilgrimage leaders. It's hard to believe how much you can miss when you're just looking around by yourself.

And it's hard to believe how much can change in the course of a few weeks. All of those stories on paper have come to life and so many of the people and places have taken on a new dimension. Seeing the area in front of the Bishop's house where Francis renounced his father, taking a 'night-time' walk through the gate that Clare used when she left her family, or seeing the spots where Francis spent days and weeks secluded in prayer...reading these accounts will never be the same. And hearing the contemporary stories of Franciscans in Italy, Tanzania, and Pakistan continue to put flesh and bone on the vision that Francis and Clare have passed down to us.

Of course, walking through the streets of Assisi at 4:00 am and going to meet our bus just added an extra touch of poignancy to the farewell.

And on to Rome for a few days of exploration! I arrived here on Friday safe and sound. I had a choice between taking a cab from the Airport to my hotel (that would have cost $60) or the train (which was about $8)...you guess which one I chose. Anyway...picture this...I have my luggage (suitcase, backpack, and another small bag)...I take a train from the airport...then I had to transfer to another train...which of course wasn't on the same track...so I walk DOWNSTAIRS (think of something that looks like a subway station)...then across...then UPSTAIRS to the other track. I take the second train and get to a spot that is reasonably close to my hotel. So I get off that train, walk DOWNSTAIRS...and then back UPSTAIRS to street level. Now this is the same pensione that I stayed at when I first got here...did I mention that it's at the top of a BIG hill...with several stairs and steep roads. This whole excursion took almost 2 hours. Now I have to decide what I'm going to do next week when I have to get back to the airport.

Sunday, July 27, 2008 2:14:58 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [1] | 

I am so excited to have this opportunity to blog about topics related to pursuing higher education. I have worked in the Admissions Office for seven years and have done extensive research and reading on subjects from career information to scholarship searches to transfer students and the importance of fit when choosing a college.

I am the mother of 2 daughters, one has graduated from a very large college in the state of Florida, the other is currently a junior at a small liberal arts college. During the college search process we did a great deal of reading and searching the internet and made numerous college visits. Consequently, I learned a great deal from this process with each of my girls.  I am looking forward to sharing my experiences with you to help make college enrollment a bit easier.

I welcome your feedback and questions.

Friday, July 25, 2008 4:00:19 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

If you are a new transfer student to Lourdes College this fall and you would like to meet other students who are transferring to Lourdes, I have just the thing for you!  On Thursday, July 31st, I am taking a group of transfer students to the Cleveland Indians vs. the Detroit Tigers.  We will be leaving Lourdes at 9am SHARP and returning around 5 or 6 in evening depending on what time the game is over with.  We will be taking a bus down there (dvd player, air conditioned, bathroom, etc.)  Your ticket and bus are paid for already, all you have to worry about is if you would like to purchase food at the game.  If you are interested in coming, please email me at kbishop@lourdes.edu or call me at 419-824-3917.  It will be a great day of fun, meeting each other, and baseball!  What more could you want?

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 2:52:04 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

It's hard to believe that we've been in Assisi for almost 2 weeks. When we arrived, it seemed like we would be here forever, now the days are dwindling.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:55:59 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [2] |