why take evaluation class?

I chose to take my particular evaluation class because it was required for my program (when it became all online, new one that is), because I had a good experience previously with the professor, in an online Measurement and Assessment class, especially communication wise.
It was also the only one left of my requirements that was offered during that particular semester, and I had taken the summer off, for a balance of family issues and lack of direction in my old program plan. In my earlier degree plan, when it was an elective, I don't think it would have made my list, especially as one advisor or another kept trying to convince me that the space for elective meant I had to take pharmacology (?) My instructor mentionned this too- saying that he was surprised by the large enrollment in the class, as evaluation is not the 'sexiest' offering. The course was set up for about 6 students and we ended up with 20!
The fact that it was offered online was also a factor in my choosing the class, as scheduling large blocks of time to myself is an ongoing challenge with two small children, and special needs are particularly tricky. The flexibility in completing work and the relative availability of most instructors is great.
Did I ever stop to consider that taking a class about Evaluation in Nursing Education would be interesting or useful? I don't really think so. In fact, considering I had recently completed measurement and assessment, I probably thought I knew it all already. I have not been employed in a position of authority during a JCAHO visit, or an NLN review, and generally feel skeptical about these processes anyway. I think without the requirement I wouldn't have taken the course.

starting the journey

I have been interested in graduate education since before I got my BSN/RN. My first degree is actually in biology, and I went back to school after a few years to get my nursing degree. I originally planned to go straight through and get an NP, but once there it became obvious that although the Dean felt it was great, faculty did not support students getting their NP without having worked as an RN.
So I worked for a few years and checked out programs, and then had family oboligations to take care of. After I had been at home for 3 and a half years, one spring day, a postcard showed up from this school. It specifically mentionned a major in nursing education, which I had decided on. And it said classes on weekends, evenings, and some online things. I couldn't even attend the open house, and the deadline was about a month away.
So I applied, and it was easy. Back then you didn't need GRE scores- which even though I had taken it, it was too long ago. There was no essay, just a form, a check, and transcripts, most of which are easy to get thanks to the Internet.
This may seem irrelevant, but the truth is, if it wasn't so simple, if even one thing stood in my way I know in my heart that I wouldn't have started the journey then. Obviously I got in, and that fall I took one class. And then one more in the fall. It was a slow journey. And it makes me wonder about nursing education in general. It often feels like there are so many barriers. But somehow I met my present goals. And I feel that it was the right path for me. How and why did you start this journey?

Fitting it in

Somehow it is October- which has me thinking about Halloween. Last year, being the Mom of 5- and 7-year-old boys, I had things to do. We watched the relevant TV specials, went trick or treating, answered the door and even ate a little candy. The cool thing is that I (and my husband) also did class work! My husband's online class (Regression Analysis or something) meets each Wednesday at 6:30, but he was done by 7:05, as the lecture is posted ahead of time, and the time 'in class' is spent watching her complete a few examples. So the boys and I watched ScoobyDoo's Halloween and answered the door, and the moment my husband signed off, we headed out to the neighborhood.I met with my group for our project by IM starting around 8:30, just minutes after I said my good nights to the best pirate and mad scientist, and chatted for a little over an hour to see what issues we were having in moving the project forward. It is good to have these contact points now and again, but we are doing well I think. One thing I like about these meetings is the documents are always handy- we were talking about an example, and were all able to pull it up on screen for immediate review just by posting a url. We can also copy and paste other info we have- like emails from sources, and paragraphs we have completed already for an instant check. And documenting these sessions is a snap- just click save, and the txt file is there on my computer. In contrast, my across the street neighbor just started a Masters in Public Health at another school in the Texas Medical Center. She actually goes to lecture once every week, and has a study group on Saturday afternoons. They had class on Wed evening, and so she went. Her children (4 and 8) were obviously fine to be with their Dad, but my friend missed out. She is disgruntled at herself for even going to class, but (I think) even more mad that she was put in a position where she had to choose. Meanwhile, even during our IM meeting one member of the group had to get up to answer her door for "Trick-or-Treat", and it was no problem. Another group member IM'd the instructor to check on a point we were discussing, and got an instant answer. It just fit right in.