Last Day of Class!

Today I had my last day of class. I can't believe this day has finally arrived. It is such a good feeling. However, I am sad that I won't be able see my nursing friends on a regular basis. Oh, we have plans to get together every three months to catch up, but it will be different not spending time with them as often as I have the last two years.

When I started this journey, we had been living here in Utah a little over a year. My babies (twin daughters) had graduated from high school and had left home and were off to college. For the first time in twenty-seven years, I did not have children at home to keep me busy. I didn't realize that my life would change so drastically and so suddenly. Not only were our children moving out and on with their lives, but I had left behind a life that I had built for fourteen years full of friends and familiarity in Memphis. Don't get me wrong, I am happy to be living here. I just needed something productive to keep me busy, shopping and lunch dates are fun for only so long.

Through the years I had been going to school off and on working towards a nursing degree. So when I came to the realization that I needed a life, I knew that I needed to apply to a nursing program to see if I would be accepted. I think I had resigned to the fact that I would not be accepted because when I got my acceptance letter I was excited, but I thought, "Oh, I guess I have to do this now". Well, I am so glad that I did. It has been one of the hardest things I have done, but also one of the most rewarding.

So here is to no more case studies, service hours, clinical journals, clinical hours, group presentations, ugly green scrubs, etc, etc. But, I only get a short reprieve of a couple of weeks, and then I must begin to prepare for my state board exam. If I don't pass that exam I will not be able to practice as a nurse.

I haven't heard back from the residency positions that I applied to. I heard through the grapevine that for one of the positions that I applied, there were over 100 applicants for only 16 available positions. Yeah, I am going to need more than fingers crossed, I am going to need a miracle. Oh well, I am sure something will work out.

Here are some pictures compliments of my great friend Wendy. The first photo is our group photo. The last picture is a few of us celebrating by going out to lunch. To my fellow nursing students I say, thank you it has been alot of fun!

I'm finished :(

Last night was my last clinical for my preceptorship in labor and delivery. I never thought I would say this, but I am so sad. If you have ever been a nursing student, the usual response when you finish a clinical rotation is, "YES I'M finished!". Clinicals are usually really stressful because of all of the dos and don'ts and learning that goes on. You don't want to contaminate your sterile field, you hope and pray that you do have a flash of blood when you are placing your IV, (that means you are in the right place), and the list goes on and on. There is so much to learn and depending on your clinical instructor or nurse that you follow, it can be a good experience or a down right bad experience. This clinical experience was amazing! I am really going to miss the nurses I worked with. My preceptor (the nure I followed) was wonderful. I learned so much and have definitely decided that I want to practice in Women and Children's services.

This is my wonderful preceptor who taught me so much.

Some of the great nurses that I got to spend alot of time with. You guys are awesome!

The new project is finding a job. To work for an IHC hospital (which are most of the hospitals in Utah) as a new graduate, you must apply and get accepted to their Residency program that opens up about three times a year. There are limited openings and as you can imagine very competitive because most of the new graduates are applying. So join me in crossing your fingers, hoping that I can get into a Residency program. I have applied to two different programs. One at IMC in the NICU and the other is at one of the three Utah county hospitals.

Farewell to the lovely (not) green scrubs that I have had to wear the last two years. I am so tired of wearing them. I 'm thinking of having a "burn the scrubs" party to celebrate not having to wear them anymore.

I only have 2 tests and 1 paper to write and I will be finished with my schooling. I can hardly believe it. I'm looking forward to this new and exciting chapter in my life.

Can you guess where I'm going?

That's right. London here we come! You might remember in a previous blog, that I mentioned I was in much need of a vacation. Well it has been decided that London it is. I am so excited. So if you have been there and have any suggestions of places to see and visit, please post them. We will be there the last week of May. He did good didn't he!

Snowshoeing To Donut Falls

A few of us from our church group went snowshoeing the other day. We had to postpone the adventure a couple of times due to inclement weather. It was worth the wait. We could not have picked a more beautiful day. I had never been showshoeing before and really enjoyed it. It was a really fun way to get in some exercise and spend time with some really great ladies. Thanks to Heather and Rachel for putting it together.

Easter Fun

We had an early Easter celebration with the family. Landon had a great time with the Easter egg hunt. We held it inside due to the wet and cold weather we have been experiencing, UGHH! Addie didn't really care about finding eggs after she found one and realized that there was candy inside of it. She just wanted to eat the candy.