Orientation

I'm done with orientation now. I'm starting my first solo shift tonight. 

I'm nervous of course but I have to remember to breathe and take my time and ask questions when I need to.  My coworkers are great and compassionate and I really enjoy them too.  

This is what I've been preparing for. That still makes me anxious LOL. 

Here we go!

It's my birthday!

I've been on this planet for 32 years today. Birthdays are weird and wonderful. I frequently use mine to start new things and start the year over. 

This past year has brought so many changes. It's amazing how a day, a week or months can seem to creep by but when looking back the year flew by. I don't know how that happens. 

This coming year I'm looking forward to settling in as a nurse, enjoying time with my family and friends and being thankful for them. 

To everyone who supports me and loves me, THANK YOU! You may never know how much I truly appreciate you but I do. 

My thirties are awesome and I'm loving them!!

First week as an RN

This was my first real week as an RN!

I've been on 12 hour shifts and it's taken some getting used to.  My feet do hurt some but not as bad as I thought they might.  I enjoy the 12 hour shift actually, I'll miss it when I'm off orientation and working 3-1130pm. 

I have to say that I really love it. It's overwhelming and there is so much information to think about, get done, get charted and pass on to either MDs or other nurses etc but I can see how eventually I'll settle in.

Another nurse and I went and started an IV on a new patient and the way the other nurse talked me through was AMAZING, and high fived me when we were out of the room for my VERY FIRST OFFICIAL IV start, ONE STICK

I get nervous and anxious before having to do a new skill but it feels so great to get them down and I'm getting more comfortable with medications already.

I did have a patient with bad news this week and I was able to sit and talk and hold her hand some too after she came to a big decision (it is an oncology med/surg floor) but I felt like I made a difference and she smiled and thanked me for sitting with her.

Someday when I'm a seasoned nurse and all these things are second nature to me I want to be sure to remember how it felt to be the new kid on the block, to be scared, nervous and so excited to be at the beginning of my career journey.  When I'm the preceptor I hope I can remember that, because it makes all the difference! 

First day

Today is the day that all that school was meant for. Of course it's paper work and meetings. The floor won't be til next week. 

This is a new chapter for me. Something that I'm going to love. I'm going to have sore feet, and a sore back, sweat and cry for this but it is worth it and I will love it even when I hate it. Remember this! 

The day I became an RN

Today is the day I officially became an RN legally, officially.  The exam was yesterday and today I have a license number!  It feels a little surreal and so amazing!  

When I feel like quitting I need to remember this day, remember why I want to do this, remember the hard work that I put in to call myself a nurse. (And the hard work others did too to help me get here)

My first interview was last week Friday and I'm really crossing my fingers that they call me soon. It would be a great fit for me. I'm ready to work hard and learn so much more.  I'm ready to prove myself. 

There were times I felt like I might not make it, or that it would take forever to get here, but the fact is I did make it. I didn't give up and I made it. 

Finally done!

I honestly can't believe that I'm done with nursing school.  I dreamed about this day for quite awhile (and frequently cursed along the way) but I'm not sure I REALLY thought it would get here.

It's been an amazing ride.  One that I might actually miss a little tiny bit.  I've had my friends and family put up with me, support me, make me laugh, and let me cry.  Without them I know I wouldn't have been able to do this on my own.  I owe them a big huge thank you! 

ADN Pinning December 2013

Pinning was amazing, I admit I'm a sap (as if you didn't know that already).  I didn't really flat out cry but I did get teary eyed plenty of times.  Sitting there listening to speeches and looking around me at my classmates all dressed up and in graduation gowns was very important to me.  I think ceremony is an important part of beginning and ending things.  I don't know that I'll ever feel that way again, filled with joy, pride, excitement and trepidation for the future. 

I know I've said this before but I'll say it again: at 18 I never would have picked nursing as a career, now I can't imagine being anything else.  I know that this is my calling and it will never just be a job but be part of who I am and what I am. 

I've been so lucky to find this fairly early in life.  I never thought I'd be that person.  It is proof that things do fall into place if you are ready for them when they are ready for you.  Thank you to everyone, but especially my husband.  He never gave up on me, he always believed in me (even when I didn't believe in myself), and he has been my rock, my best friend and so much more.  Thank you for letting me use you as a guinea pig and teach you all kinds of gross diseases so that I could learn them too.  Thank you for everything.  Gabe doesn't realize it yet but he deserves a big thank you from me too, for putting up with an exhausted mom, and one who was maybe a little short sometimes, and didn't always feel like playing or reading one more story.  He's an awesome kid and I know that he's proud of me too.  He talked about my graduation the entire week beforehand, and even though the ceremony part was boring (he's almost 7 after all) I know he will understand someday.  I love you both so much. 

10 days...

In just 10 days I will graduate.  I came across this blog post that I made in May of 2010 with 1094 days and now I'm down to just 10.  I actually cried when I read that one.  I remember it now, but I had forgotten about it.  I hoped I would get here, I worked hard to get here but a part of me didn't REALLY believe I would get here.

 So just remember when you start something even if it's a long way off and there are a lot of days between now and when you finish it will come.  Those days pass anyhow so you might as well be doing something with them!

Appropriate for today since Nelson Mandela just passed away is a quote from him too:
"It always seems impossible until it's done".   I can attest to that! It sure seemed impossible when I started this journey. 

Just one more exam between me and graduation!  I think I might actually be getting excited.