Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for Personal Success
The decision to enter graduate school has been years in the making. Choosing to take time from my family to return to school is a difficult decision. Just as employers need employee buy in for successful performance. I too had to buy into the decision to enter the master's program.
Health care is always evolving with information and advancements in various realms of the health care industry. Nurses are challenged to stay current by continually learning and advancing their skills (Houston, 2012). My purpose for pursuing a graduate degree is to grow as an individual and a professional. In three years, my employment status will likely change and acquiring a master's degree will open the job market. My professional goal is to work on the technical side of health care, perhaps writing my own ticket, while continuing working from my home office. Obtaining a master's degree will provide me with an edge in the job market.
One of my biggest challenges of entering the master's program is pushing past the fear of committing to a two year program. Feeling at peace with my decision includes answering questions and addressing concerns. My concerns are performing to the best of my abilities and meeting deadlines, putting in the time for studying and writing papers, dealing with what seems like never-ending student loans again, and receiving a valuable return on investment. These concerns plus more fill my thoughts. My current job involves teaching people how to work through changing a process with small tests. By taking one online class per six weeks is a small test of change versus attending several classes per semester on campus. Every six weeks is a short-term goal; with each met deadline, each substantive participation, each assignment completed, and receiving the most points possible awarded for these tasks means I have met my goals. These short-term goals will accumulate into long-term goals; increasing assertiveness and self confidence in the workplace, and graduating with a grade point average of at least a 3.0.
I foresee many challenges over the course of this program. One is conquering time management. Organizations with a strategic plan know where they are headed and how management intends on achieving results (Duffis, 2004). To become successful, my plan is printing my syllabus for reference, combining work, school and family calendars, and developing a daily task list. The calendar will keep the week in perspective with time scheduled for family and children's activities, discussion questions and readings, leisure and exercise, meeting both school and professional deadlines, and recording other important dates. A task list enables efficiency. With each task marked off, momentum emerges resulting in a person who is efficient and in addition, effective.
Another challenge is eliminating negative distractions. The environmental factors and procrastination tendencies can become overwhelming at times, and when not recognized will lead to an enormous amount of stress. I can limit the amount of environmental distractions by working in my home office but often times have to ignore outside calls, resist the tendency to check e-mails, and wander off on Internet rabbit trails. Committing to consistently scheduling my day and referring to my task list will reduce dramatically both the noise distractions and nonproductive behaviors.
For every challenge there is an opportunity. Online classes pose a challenge in communicating with fellow students, instructors, and advisors. Although I like to talk and have intelligent conversations, I find it difficult ensuring I am giving the reader enough information. I tend to take liberties in that I know the person(s) has a knowledge base of the topic, brevity is very much a part of my communication style. Depending on the topic, initiating and leading a conversation is often a weakness. I also have difficulty getting my points across when presenting to a group of people. Several opportunities for improving my personal communication present themselves. My strategies for better communication are reading my typed communications aloud for clarity, taping myself when practicing presentations for improved delivery, and practicing creating a visual story to get my point across. These practices will lead into my communication strengths; always make eye contact, meet with a firm handshake, actively listen, and reaffirming what I am hearing.
Graduate study will be challenging but in the end rewarding. According to Diane Watkins (2011) "Achieving a master's degree can boost nurses' confidence and professional aspirations, and in turn benefit the profession" (p. 70). By continually focusing on my goals and make the most of the strategies for success, I can defeat the challenges and conquer the program.

References
Duffis, L. (2004, June). The personal strategic plan: A tool for career planning and advancement. International Journal of Management, 21(2), 144-148.
Houston, S.M. (2012, January). Nursing's role in IT projects. Nursing Management, 43(1), 18- 19.
Watkins, D. (2011, July). Be one degree above the rest. Nursing Standard, 25(46), 70.