... Graduate School: The Road to Success Tim Foster HCS 504 February 22, 2013 Tonya Taylor-Briggs Graduate School: The Road To Success 2 Graduate School: The Road to Success As a boy, I remember my father giving me all manner of advice. Of the many sapient things he told me, the phrase that stuck in my mind the most is "If it isn't hard, it probably isn't worth doing." When I were graduated from my college in 2003, I was not sure if I wanted to continue my education. This year, I decided to go ahead and take a chance on something challenging. One should never go into something as arduous as graduate education without a roadmap for success. After much consideration, I have plotted out my plan to be successful in graduate school. Goals Goals are the foundational element of any worthy undertaking. If I signed up for something as rewarding and challenging as graduate school, but did not have a clear direction of where I wanted to take it, I would have nothing specific to strive for. Setting personal goals helps me stay the course, and validates completing the task for more than just completion's sake. In true organized fashion, I have set short-term goals to go with my long-term goal. Ultimately, my long-term goal with my graduate education...
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...Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for Personal Success HCS/504 August 6, 2012 John Dean Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for Personal Success According to Linda Weston Kramer “Retuning to graduate school is a major decision in one’s professional life. Although there are many benefits to returning to school to earn a graduate degree, it is also very challenging” (Kramer, 2007, p. 158.). This essay discusses various challenges faced by graduate students, and strategies to overcome the challenges, from personal perspective. Personal and professional goals It is important to set personal and career goals before pursuing graduate study. Students need to discover the various courses offered, and select the one suit for them. This contributes a great deal of success because they choose what they want to, and where they want to reach. Goal setting and working toward achieving the goal is the key for success. My main long-term goal is career development. I want to complete my program within two years and find a job in Nursing/Informatics and go up in the ladder. When considering my short-term goal, I want to keep my GPA above 3.5, and acquire as much knowledge from this program by using the resources available. I want to improve my communication skills both written and verbal, and graduate study is the best platform for achieving that goal. It is important to prioritize the goals and choose the right path. Self-assessment and closely checking the measurable...
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...Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for Personal Success 2you HCS/504 April 8, 2013 Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for Personal Success Pursuing a graduate degree creates many opportunities and comes with many challenges, such as balancing work and attending school and adjusting to the increased workload of school (M. Schlemper, 2011). Finding balance with time management and stress management can be a challenge within itself. Now that I have decided to make this important decision to pursue my educational goals to obtain a Master’s degree in nursing there were several questions that I had to ask of myself. How am I going to afford school, how do I manage my schedule, how do I keep my family intact and most importantly how do I maintain my sanity? I researched several schools to view the various programs offered. Applied for financial aid and discussed my educational goals with my employer and spouse. Every person has a reason for pursuing a graduate degree, for some it is to enhance their career path and others it is a requirement of their organization. These reasons can be personal or professional, which include a feeling of achievement and personal success and increasing their competency (Plunkett Iwasiw & Keer, 2010). Personal and professional reasons for acquiring a graduate degree was so that I could advance my career path as well as enhance my knowledge base and be able to provide an evidence base practice that is required to keep up with the...
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...Graduate School: Overcoming Barriers to Success Kasey Kiesler HCS/504 September 24, 2012 Professor Brenda Harton Graduate School: Overcoming Barriers to Success The decision to attend graduate school can be one of immense commitment and responsibility. Success requires rigorous planning and well-defined goals, both short-term and long-term. Exceptional communication skills are also necessary to interact effectively with fellow classmates and faculty. Although completion of a Master’s program opens doors to many professional career opportunities, it does not come without challenges. One also must have several strategies in place for dealing with these challenges when they arise. With determination and hard work, overcoming these barriers will lead to success. Personal and Professional Goals Pursuing graduate studies can be a very personal decision. More individuals are looking into higher education degrees to combat the negative effects of a poor economy on their families (McKelvie, 2009). Providing financial stability to one’s family is a readily attainable goal by obtaining a Master’s degree. Achievement of this goal is appreciated when exceeding the basic needs of family members, financial obligations are met within deadlines, and a spouse can stay at home more often and spend additional time with children. Personal goals may center on passion for one’s career. Graduate school is an admirable choice for those...
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...Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for Personal Success Grace Edwards University of Phoenix Introduction to Graduate Study in Health Science/Nursing (HCS/504) Kirk Davis February 3, 2013 Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for Personal Success Pursuing a graduate degree creates many opportunities and comes with many challenges, such as balancing work and attending school and adjusting to the increase workload of school (M. Schlemper, 2011). Utilizing the right coping strategies will help in overcoming these challenges. As I make this important decision to pursue the Masters of Science in nursing degree there are several questions that need to be answered. The aim of writing this paper is to give the reasons for pursuing a graduate degree including my short and long- term goals. The challenges I will face achieving these goals and the strategies I will use to overcome them. I will be analyzing my strength and weakness in regard to personal communication and strategies to improve my communication skills. Each individual have differ reasons for pursuing a graduate degree. These reasons can be personal or professional, which include a feeling of achievement and personal success and increasing their competency (Plunkett, Iwasiw & Keer, 2010). Acquiring new knowledge and skill has been imperative in my nursing career, as providing evidence base care requires me to keep abreast of the current trends in nursing...
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...Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for Personal Success When deciding to return to graduate school, a person has made an excellent step in advantaging their knowledge in their particular career field. Before returning to graduate school, most people have given serious thought to the time commitment that they will have to face for the next two to four years. They have had many sleepless nights and day dreamed about the stress they will face to complete a graduate degree. Therefore entering a graduate program should not be taken lightly. In many disciplines it is required to have a graduate degree to practice independently in that career field (e.g. Social Worker and Psychologist). Nursing is now requiring nurses to have a graduate degree to advance into management positions. Employers are demanding their nurses to have more than just the knowledge to care for patients. They want the nurse who is placed in a management role to have the knowledge to be a leader. Nurses are returning to school to gain more knowledge in their career field, increase effective communication skills, have a higher potential for promotion, and to have a greater earning power. When deciding to return to graduate school, a student must have a strategy that is going to get them through the next two-four challenging years of their life. Personal and Professional Goals My reason for pursuing a graduate degree is to gain more knowledge in the healthcare industry, become a more effective...
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...Issues and Challenges of Graduate Studies Karen Hallman AJS501 January 16, 2012 Terence Hunt Issues and Challenges of Graduate Studies Today, postgraduate education faces numerous encounters in terms of ultimatums, quantity, excellence, and proceeds, both for wage-earners and the customers concerned. Why scholars decide to pursue this level of education and the inducements offered by organizations and businesses are acute factors in altering and accepting trends. As a graduate student we face many challenges and obstacles while pursuing our careers. In the months to come ones biggest challenges is articulating enough to gain employment, diligence in time management, and keeping up one’s grade point average. Time management is the biggest challenge for me. Throughout the course of my daily routines of juggling school, work, and family it appears there is never enough time in the day. Emerging time management skills is a voyage which needs practice and control along the way (Time Management, 2012). Taking steps to manage time consist of reorganizing one’s day so that one is in control, prioritizing, and placing my most important goals and values first. My methods for making my time management into a success plan includes getting plenty of rest, exercise, maintaining a to do list, becoming flexible, and one will learn not to procrastinate. (Gardner, Jeweler, & Barefoot, 2011) Keeping up one’s grade point average and keeping one’s stress level down is another...
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...Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for Personal Success “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” This famed quotation by one of the most influential American essayist and poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson, inspired me toward my journey to pursue graduate study. Taking the first step toward this journey is the most difficult. I understood that challenges will be inevitable in this path and implementing strategies to face these challenges is crucial for my success. I gained significant experience in both my academic and professional career over the years. I realize that I have the determination to accomplish goals and the necessary means to envision success. I have a variety of reasons I chose to pursue graduate study, both personal, and professional. Personally, I want to teach my children the importance of education in one’s life and to inspire them to aim for academic excellence. Professionally, I am very passionate about Nursing and about improving the quality of care given to patients. My ultimate goal is to influence change in the health care field as an educator or as an administrator. I want to inspire others to be excited with Nursing and be more involved in creating best practices that affects health care. I also want to ensure that I am more marketable to advance in my career. Graduate study paves the way toward the realization of these aspirations. Three Challenges that I will face in Meeting my Goals ...
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...Challenges of Graduate Studies & Strategies for Success Challenges of Graduate Studies & Strategies for Success The modern job market makes advanced education necessary, but graduate studies are never an easy task. Distance learning, while it does add a layer of convenience, can also cause additional issues for some graduate students. A study performed by the Babson Research Group found that over seven million higher education students opted for online learning options in 2013 (Blair, 2014). However, as Reiss points out, “It’s one thing to start your online degree, but it’s another to finish it (2014)”. If distance learning graduate students are to succeed and overcome the challenges of graduate studies, they must devise an effective strategy for meeting these potential issues. Potential Issues Many of today’s online graduate students are faced with various educational and external challenges that can hinder successful completion of their studies. These issues could, and at ties do, lead to lower grades and lack of drive. Balancing multiple obligations, struggles with adapting to the online learning processes and environment, and internal battles are just a few of the issues that online graduate students are likely to face. The Juggling Act Balancing obligations can be a challenge for online graduate learning. Modern students must juggle the responsibilities to family and home, work, friends, and self in addition to school work. Quite obviously, this...
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...Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for Success Suzanne D. Bamfield Instructor Marilyn Ketchum HCS/504 University Of Phoenix Abstract Graduate School can be very intimidating for an individual who has been out of school for quite some time. In this paper I will discuss the personal challenges and tools for success. Introduction: Reasons for Pursuing Graduate Studies Success is measured by how motivated and hard one works to achieve their goals. In his journal, (David H. Lyman( 2004) he states that there are a few key tips to success. They are passion, setting goals, high self -esteem, persistence, mastering your craft and talent. These major tools are what drive an individual to be successful. These tools are also driving me to succeed. I decided to maintain a level of discipline within myself. My reasons for pursuing Graduate studies are very simply. I want a sense of accomplishment because I was out of school for many years i became stagnant...
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...A Personal Reflection: Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for Success Returning to graduate school is a major decision in one's professional life. Although there are many benefits to returning to school to earn a graduate degree, it is also very challenging. This article discusses the challenges of graduate school as well as several tips for success. Keywords: Education, Graduate school, Masters' programs [DIMENS CRIT CARE NURS. 2007;26( 4):158-159] The decision to pursue graduate studies should not be taken lightly. Decisions should be made after serious consideration of personal and professional goals. One must evaluate the variety of programs offered, whether traditional on campus versus online classroom, cost of continuing education, financial aid availability, employment while in school, time allotment to complete studies, computer program technical skills, and computer/library access, to obtain a master's degree. Graduate programs should help the student acquire 3 core competencies. Woolcock[ 1] lists these 3 skills as detective (data collection, analysis, and interpretation), translator (reframing given ideas for diverse groups), and diplomat (negotiation, conflict mediation, and deal making). Benefits of a master's degree include intellectual improvement, personal development, acquisition of enhanced verbal/writing skills, advancement in career positions, and networking with peers and colleagues. According to Leung,[ 2] graduates of master's degrees are...
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...The Winding Road to Success HCS/504 01,23,2012 Dr. Tracy Lane The Winding Road to Success The winding road to success is a road that leads to personal and professional growth. This road is not a road without challenges or obstacles. Her professional goal of becoming a health care organization’s administrator or chief executive officer is dependent on successful completion of her graduate degree in Master’s of Health Administration. Her dreams of completing a master’s degree and subsequently earning a doctoral degree have been her personal goals for many years. Achieving both her personal and professional goals would amplify her professional career. Pursuing her graduate degree has been a personal goal of hers dating back to her adolescent years. She is a strong advocate for continuing education and firm believer that education is the key to success. Openjuru (2011) stated “lifelong learning and lifelong education are two concepts that aim at widening access to and the participation of adult learners in the acquisition of new knowledge, skills, values and attitudes” (p. 55). She chose to pursue her graduate degree to improve her job skills and performance, advance her career, increase her financial earnings, and to influence her family’s desire to achieve more. According to a study conducted by Schlechter and Milevsky (2010) “parents with higher levels of education are effecting their children’s...
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...Answering a Calling to Graduate Study: Challenges and Strategies for Personal Success Considering the pursuit of a graduate level education is a decision that should be well thought out. Success, whether academic or professional, is something desired by everyone at some point in life. It is important to decide carefully what goals one wants to accomplish and how a graduate degree will help. Once the goals are set, and the decision is made to go back to school, additional research and careful consideration is given in deciding what type of program to attend. There are basic considerations, including program and cost, but the future student should also consider that not all programs are created equal. Graduate study programs often have different objectives and focus (Kuther, PhD, 2013). It is the responsibility of the individual to ensure that the program of choice matches his or her desired learning preferences. I knew I wanted to be a nurse from the time I started college, and it did not take long working in the field to determine that I was meant for health care management. My BSN and management ability has enabled me to work my way up to a senior management position, as the Chief Nursing Officer, at a rural hospital. I believe that by obtaining the MSN/MHA dual degree, doors will continue to open in health care administration. For this reason, I have found my way back to school and I am a proud virtual student at University of Phoenix...
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...Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for Personal success The decision to start school again can be challenging for anyone, and the adult graduate student faces their unique set of challenges. The adult student is, usually, facing an act of balancing academic life and personal life responsibilities. In addition to that, the online learner has different challenges compared to the traditional student. I’m now starting to learn about these challenges such as time management, self-motivation and what it truly means to be an online student. I’m starting to develop my strategies for success through better communication, time management and realistic goals. Personal and Professional Goals The concept of a goal for me is a unique ambition that I’m striving to achieve. Goals can start to build from personal values. As a child, I grew up with parents with no strong formal education. My mother pushed her children and herself out of project housing to reach her goals. She instilled education in me to be a tool that no one could take away from me, and a means to move forward in life. She showed me with strong work ethic success is possible. My personal goal is to achieve my master’s degree to set a strong example for my children the same as my mother did for me. My professional goals for perusing master’s degrees are to become more established in my career. In nursing, there is a glass ceiling without furthering my education I feel I have met that ceiling. Education can only add to my...
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...Returning to graduate school was one of my major decisions in my personal and professional lives. As of right now, I am planning on analyzing my short/ long term goals to mark my milestones. I am also looking into several ways on how I can improve my communication skills, which will benefit me after graduation. By looking into benefits of my graduate degree I realized that I will overcome all of my time restraints and other challenges without any problems that usually come with Graduate Studies. To be successful in graduate studies, I set a one short-term goal to keep myself motivated for my final long-term goal of becoming an Air Force Officer. My short term goal is to continue putting all of my focus and energy at each of my classes. Doing so will help me to learn the most from each class, and eventually will allow me to achieve the highest grades possible. As far as my long-term goals goes, I am planning to graduate with my Master’s degree by January 2015 and enter/apply into Air Force Officer Program by March 2015. I strongly believe that taking one step at the time will ensure my success. As every other program Master’s degree will come with some challenges that will need my attention. Some of those challenges will include cost of continuing education, financial aid availability, and time management (Peterson's company, 2013). After looking into my time schedule and work, I should be “OK” managing everything at once. All of those challenges are minor but still require...
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