personal core values...

Most of you know that I am attempting to get in to nursing school. I am sending applications to as many places as fiscally possible. Currently, I am reviewing the application for the Summer of 2010 for Johns Hopkins University. There are 4 essays that are required, and luckily for me, I have quite a few months to write these, edit them, rewrite them, trash them and start the process again. The questions are (clearly summarized) "why do you want to be a nurse", "address your reasons for applying to ... including your work and volunteer experience as related to future goals", "give example of utilizing critical thinking skills..." and finally, the one that stumps me the most:

Diversity is one of the core values of the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. Members of the School of Nursing community agree to "embrace our differences in experience, culture and other aspects as a way to enhance all our activities". One of the values in professional nursing practice is the "respect for the inherent worth, dignity, and human rights of all individuals". our patients may not share the same ethnicity, culture or set of values as you. Describe a scenario hat challenged your core values and explain how you responded.

I've got to say, this one stumped me. A lot. I asked Marian for some suggestions and then I realized, before I can answer this question, I need to answer another one.

What are my core values?

So now I ask you. What are your core values, and how did you come to realize what they were? Did you pick 20 words and then cut them down to 5 (that's something that i read on-line)? Did you just decide something was important to you? I appreciate your feedback! Thank you!

i've decided....

that on my birthday. i am going to be selfish. i feel as though for the most part of my day, i am not selfish. yes there is the occasional, i am sitting in this seat and you are not types of things that occur, but, generally, i am not selfish.

for my birthday this year, i want. i yearn to be paid attention to. i want a small fuss to be made in my name. i want someone else to make me cupcakes or cookies. i want someone else to suggest that they take me out to dinner, dessert, coffee, to a movie, to the museum, or to something i want to do...

maybe, it's inappropriate to be so selfish, but, i don't think i care all that much. so on february 15th, try to be less self-centered, and pay attention to me!