Three semesters down! One more to go!

Yesterday I finished my 3rd semester of nursing school.  That means I'm 3/4 of the way to being a nurse, for real!  I started with my pre-reqs in January 2010 and will graduate in December 2013.  Not too shabby for someone who never attended college and had no idea what she wanted to be when she grew up, after the veterinarian thing was out at least. 

Looking back on the last three semesters is a blur.  I have made some really awesome friendships that I hope last a lifetime.  I have met some amazing instructors and mentors that I know have made me a better person and will make me a better nurse.  I have learned so many things from text books, lectures, videos, discussion and most of all my patients. 

There were times that this has been fun, really!, there have been times where this was hard, A LOT!, and there have been times I wasn't sure I was going to get through the next day...but I have.  My family has been so wonderful and understanding about everything.  I really couldn't do this without my husband's support. 

This summer Gabe and I will be home having fun, and hopefully that new pool will go up easily! This summer will be the last time that I'm home full time like this.  So we're going to enjoy it doing as many free things as we possibly can. 

Here's to an amazing summer and just one more semester of school before I'm officially a nurse....and then the real hard work begins and I simply can not wait!!

Self portrait

Gabe's self portrait. Kindergarten.

MS Muckfest 2013

MS Muckfest 2013 Donation!!

I just registered for the MS Muckfest!!  It's not til September so I have time to train.  It's a 5 mile mud run with obstacle course things.  I have really crummy upper body strength so that is the part I will need to work on the most. 

Anyone that would consider it please donate to our team "Not MSing Around" Just a few dollars at a time really adds up and can make a difference.  This is near and dear to our hearts here and the research this could fund might just be the difference that we need!  Please donate!!

48 days/260 days

It's spring break and right now there are 49 days til the end of this semester.  That also means that there are only 260 days til graduation. Of course that means spending the summer home again this year with my most favorite little human. 

I think about how I felt at this time last year, that I was drowning, that no one could possibly survive this thing called nursing school, that I would never finish, that I was never going to feel like a nurse, that I was terrified....so much more.  I feel different now.  I can see where I'm going and I can see how I'm going to get there (most of the time).  I know that I feel confident in some of the stuff I know and have learned.  Of course there is so much more to learn, there always will be, but I know stuff.  I know the answers, I just have to BELIEVE that I know them.

I enjoy clinical even when it means extra homework, because I like being on the floor.  I like spending time with patients.  I can see myself doing this job for the rest of my life.  I know this is what I'm supposed to do.  I may not always know what kind of nurse I'll be but I know that I'm supposed to be a nurse. 

In 260 days I'll be done with school.  I started this journey in January 2010 with my pre-reqs and I have met some amazing people along the way.  I have learned so much about myself, and I have been shown time and again how wonderful my family it (even when they drive me nuts).  I really can't imagine myself doing this without them.  I'm sure that I don't tell them that enough but I hope they know that. 

I can not wait to be done with this portion of school, to take my NCLEX and call myself a nurse.  On the flip side I'm terrified to be an official nurse that someone expects knows the answers.  It's going to be exciting.  Right now I'm focused on surviving this year, one day at a time.  Left foot, right foot, breathe.  Keep calm and nurse on!

4-1-13

Not a bad way to spend the day on spring break

3-24-13

Hung up the snake in Gabe's room

3-16-13

Checkerboard cake!