We are now in week 3 of NR 702, which is Applied Statistics. I dreaded this course because I have never been good with numbers. The first week was the worst for me. I was so apprehensive that I will never be able to understand the symbols and language of statistics. Browsing through the pages of my textbook, I told myself, “What in the world is this?!” I was in the panic mode as time is of the essence. I needed to post in the discussion forums by 11:59 pm every Wednesdays, and submit weekly exercises and laboratories by 11:59 pm every Sundays. Weekly activities constitute reading specific chapters from the textbook, listening to on-line lectures regarding the topics for the week, article readings, and reviewing recommended websites, such as the CDC to get information and data for weekly discussions and assignments.
At the end of the first week, my anxiety level started to decline. With expert, very supportive, and considerate instructors, I am slowly gaining confidence in myself that I am capable of understanding an area that I dreaded the most: numbers, numerical symbols, and mathematical formulas, but not without their guidance. Our instructor stated in the beginning of our course that Applied Statistics for this program is focused more on developing DNPs’ abilities to interpret and use data for improving practice, and not so much on calculation. At least this was a consolation for me. With less anxiety, I am able to process statistical concepts and gain some basic understanding of when statistical data are appropriate to use… but still with some degree of difficulty. I can definitely say there is a strong inverse correlation between anxiety and ability to learn.
My greatest dilemma is when it is my weekend to work and when I have to work Mondays and Tuesdays. I scramble to meet Wednesday and Sunday deadlines, and so I always end up staying awake for 24 hours or more at least once to twice a week. Working full time, being a wife and mother of 3 boys, and pursuing a doctorate degree on-line is like plunging into the deep waters of the ocean. I knew even before that it is not going to be easy. I may find myself gasping for air or freezing in the cold waters of the ocean. When people ask me how I do it, I can only say “By God’s grace alone.” For indeed, all I have is His, including my talents, skills, intellect, and will. He is my inspiration, my strength, and my hope. With God, all things are possible. I am thankful that I have a very supportive husband and parents. Without them, it would be almost impossible for me to face the challenges of the DNP program.
I would like to part with a short poem I wrote about life. I hope you find a glimpse of inspiration that will nudge your hearts to learn and to serve.
I was given my intellect that I may learn about life;
I was given my thoughts that I can reflect about life;
I was given wisdom that I may discern the Truth;
I was given love that I may learn how to share the Truth;
I was given strong, yet gentle hands,
So that with all that I have learned and reflected about about life,
I can serve the Giver by serving the people He love.
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