I am now a little more than a month into orientation.  I started on my unit 2 weeks ago.  I had three pts the last week, I will get four next week.  My unit is a behavioral med/surg unit...we get everything and everybody is crazy (not just the staff). I'm loving it.

There were some hairy moments...like the time my paper was due to be submitted online by midnight and I was still working on my careplan at 11:45 pm. Or the time when I got a phone call at 7 am on a clinical day from my sister. She called to let me know my brother had died during the night. I actually went to pre-conference and fully intended to go to my unit...my clinical instructor was having none of that! I did it though...I earned my BSN.

Everything fell into place so nicely at the end. A month before graduation, a full 3 weeks later than just about everyone in my cohort, I submitted my application and resume at the medical center my school is affiliated with. The next day nurse recruiting called and asked me to come in that day. I shadowed on my first choice unit and interviewed on the spot. 2 days later I had a job offer (which I accepted).  I took the NCLEX 3 weeks after graduation, it shut off at the minimum number of questions and I cried on the way home.  I passed!

It is official.  I am a brand new, baby RN. Orientation starts in 16 days and I can't wait!

The End is Near!!

I had intended this blog to chronicle my experiences in nursing school...that hasn't happened!  My posts are few and far between.  It's update time.  I am almost done.  I graduate in 6 weeks, 2 days, 9 hours, 56 minutes and 30 seconds (29, 28, 27, 26...)!

As of this am I have one presentation, one exam, two days of med/surg clinical, one reflection paper, and 100 hours of capstone to go.  That is all!  Then of course I must pass the NCLEX. 

Nursing School

A pictorial review of my first and half-way through my second semesters of nursing school.

what my desk looked like on the first day of classes

My real study space!

A sample of textbooks for nursing school...my stack is actually bigger!

What happens in study group stays in study group

What I learned in long term care.

Acute care...C. diff.  Enough said.

Me in OB/Women's Health clinical.

I know, A stereotype...it's true for the nurse on the PEDS unit I am on now though.

Psych in 4 weeks...will this be my unit preceptor?

Official nursing Dx for my cohort.

One Month Down...

Eleven to go!!

Quick and dirty update....

I made it to North East USA, cats and partner made it, too. Got some loans. Found a place to live within easy walking distance of medical center and school of nursing. School is CRAZY...I won't say its hard academically, so far...but dear God, the time commitment! Just finished week four and it was such a nice, relaxing week...ummm, yeah...really that just means we had no exams this past week. Next week however, we have THREE!!!! The third pathopharm exam, second assessment exam, and the CNET. YAY...or something!

Much Anticipated Update (for me anyway! ;))

It is official...the above will be my new home for at least one year beginning in January! Of course I will be living in an actual house/apartment of some sort, but I anticipate spending most of my time in the building pictured, and the building across the street from this one (university medical center). Yay!!!

I am so excited! I am also completely freaked out...finishing CNA program right before xmas and packing to move all the way across the country. Saying goodbye to lots of people. And biggest thing of all...trying to find and apply to any and all nursing scholarships that I may even remotely qualify for in an attempt to get this paid for! Don't know if I can get student loans since I already have them for my BA.

Stressed but happy!

I Got An Interview!!!!

I am SO extremely excited (and a bit nervous)! I have an interview with Small Prestigious Northeast Nursing school!! Interestingly, very early in my considerations, this school was my first choice school. It got replaced by Large Prestigious Southern Nursing school and HUGE Ivy Nursing school...both of which sent me the "sorry, no" letter quite rapidly. I wonder if it's a similar situation to multiple choice exams...you go with your first choice and don't change it.

Clearly I won't be placing all my eggs in one basket, I still have other applications to submit....but I GOT AN INTERVIEW!!!! Just thought I would shout that out one more time!

Thanks to all who replied to my request for help...I did rewrite entirely. My years of childhood trauma became "a difficult childhood" which helped me to learn to "thrive in chaotic environments" (hat tip to Kim at Emergiblog).

The interview is August 31.