So today was my first day of classes of my 5th semester in the nursing program, I'm finally in my last year baby! I can't wait to graduate, I'm tired of being in school already! I'm looking forward to my classes but this week is crazy as it always is in the beginning. This semester I have community health nursing, community health clinical, leadership & management in nursing, and intro to sociology (one of these is not like the others lol).
And as I've mentioned before, I'm sad to start another semester without my Hubby-love here although I'm excited that it's the last one we'll be apart for. We've been through so much together (well, technically apart) during this deployment but enough is enough and I want him back home!
Lucky for me, today was yet another thing I can cross off on my checklist of things that will happen before Hubby's back. Going back to school means I'm one step closer to him and I can't complain about that :)
Showing posts with label nursing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nursing. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
2 years down, 1 to go!
I passed my last test of this semester yesterday (yay!) so I'm officially on summer break (well, at least until my summer class starts but still)!
When I first found out that I passed my mega-huge med-surg ATI test with a level 3 no less (level 2 is the minimum, 3 is the highest), I was so relieved. I felt this big worry weight lift from my shoulders and I was really happy.
Of course my next thought was instantly of Hubby and I started crying. Stupid, I know.
This is the first and only semester that he has not been here for at all and it was just a weird thought. He's been gone for parts of semesters before but never an entire one. I miss him a lot and this semester was really challenging without him here for moral support. He's always been here to remind me how hard I've worked, believe in me when I don't believe in myself, help me study, hug me when I cry, and cook me lots of food when I'm feeling stressed. Completing my 2nd year (out of 3) of nursing school without him here was just tough.
Most of the class went out for pizza after our test to celebrate and of course I was still emotional. One of the girls who is getting married this summer came with her fiancee and they are so cute, totally in love, and happy. And I've turned into this bitter old witch who cries and gets sad everytime I'm around couples in love. I could barely look at them without feeling the urge to cry and being jealous that she has her man here while my man is overseas. It's terrible and I hate feeling like that. Luckily for me, my nursing class is amazing and everyone is super kind so when I started tearing up (so annoying in public), they were all very understanding and comforting. I'll miss seeing them all over summer.
On another note, today was my first official day of summer! I was lucky enough to have my mom come down to help me clean today because my place has gotten pretty messy with my crazy schedule and lack of Hubby's cleaning assistance. She was so wonderful and helped me to start whipping my place back into shape. I fully intend to have it all cleaned and organized for Hubby's upcoming R&R. We had just barely gotten unpacked and somewhat settled when Hubby deployed so I really want to surprise him by organizing our stuff to make the most out of our little apartment.
When I first found out that I passed my mega-huge med-surg ATI test with a level 3 no less (level 2 is the minimum, 3 is the highest), I was so relieved. I felt this big worry weight lift from my shoulders and I was really happy.
Of course my next thought was instantly of Hubby and I started crying. Stupid, I know.
This is the first and only semester that he has not been here for at all and it was just a weird thought. He's been gone for parts of semesters before but never an entire one. I miss him a lot and this semester was really challenging without him here for moral support. He's always been here to remind me how hard I've worked, believe in me when I don't believe in myself, help me study, hug me when I cry, and cook me lots of food when I'm feeling stressed. Completing my 2nd year (out of 3) of nursing school without him here was just tough.
Most of the class went out for pizza after our test to celebrate and of course I was still emotional. One of the girls who is getting married this summer came with her fiancee and they are so cute, totally in love, and happy. And I've turned into this bitter old witch who cries and gets sad everytime I'm around couples in love. I could barely look at them without feeling the urge to cry and being jealous that she has her man here while my man is overseas. It's terrible and I hate feeling like that. Luckily for me, my nursing class is amazing and everyone is super kind so when I started tearing up (so annoying in public), they were all very understanding and comforting. I'll miss seeing them all over summer.
On another note, today was my first official day of summer! I was lucky enough to have my mom come down to help me clean today because my place has gotten pretty messy with my crazy schedule and lack of Hubby's cleaning assistance. She was so wonderful and helped me to start whipping my place back into shape. I fully intend to have it all cleaned and organized for Hubby's upcoming R&R. We had just barely gotten unpacked and somewhat settled when Hubby deployed so I really want to surprise him by organizing our stuff to make the most out of our little apartment.
Monday, May 23, 2011
finals
Can I just say finals suck?
I've got 2 finals tomorrow and an ATI on Wednesday (nursing test we have to pass to move on to the next semester). This ATI is on Medical Surgical nursing and a whole year's worth (2 semesters) of material.
You know a test is hard when the "Cliff Notes" study guide is over 1200 pages.
I read the whole thing and I still don't feel prepared, ugh! Wish me luck!
I've got 2 finals tomorrow and an ATI on Wednesday (nursing test we have to pass to move on to the next semester). This ATI is on Medical Surgical nursing and a whole year's worth (2 semesters) of material.
You know a test is hard when the "Cliff Notes" study guide is over 1200 pages.
I read the whole thing and I still don't feel prepared, ugh! Wish me luck!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
nail polish and old movies
Fun fact about nursing programs- you can't wear nail polish when you have clinicals (which is when you're working in the hospital as a student nurse). The reason for this rule is that nail polish disguises dirty nails and keeps bacteria in the chips of polish so it's not allowed.
Back in the days before nursing, I used to always have nail polish on. Always. Like wearing the same polish until there's only 1 small fleck of polish left on a few nails kind of always. So I was sad when they told us no nail polish during clinicals.
Of course, now that I'm finished with clinicals for this semester, I decided to paint my nails. And I chose a lovely shade of red called red to tango. Just because it's cute, bright, and summery. Also because I've been on a Marilyn Monroe/old movie kick lately and they had the cutest red nails in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
I'm very excited about my red nails even though I cannot paint them to save my life. I have been painting my nails for years and years yet I still get polish everywhere, smudge my nails when they're wet, smear off entire nails, and imbed cat hair into the wet polish. It's really quite amusing. But I don't care because it's nice to have pretty colored nails for once (once all the excess polish comes off that is).
Back in the days before nursing, I used to always have nail polish on. Always. Like wearing the same polish until there's only 1 small fleck of polish left on a few nails kind of always. So I was sad when they told us no nail polish during clinicals.
Of course, now that I'm finished with clinicals for this semester, I decided to paint my nails. And I chose a lovely shade of red called red to tango. Just because it's cute, bright, and summery. Also because I've been on a Marilyn Monroe/old movie kick lately and they had the cutest red nails in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
 |
| Exhibit A...the nails I painted with my dominant hand. Hubby said it looks like I have dried blood on my hands. Thanks honey. |
Score one for me.
Monday, May 9, 2011
finished clinicals and feeling good
I'm officially done with clinicals this semester yay! Now I've only got one paper, finals, and ATIs (standardized nursing tests we take at the end of every semester to prepare for the state board NCLEX) left before I'm done with 4th semester. So stoked! As a treat, my clinical group went out for lunch after our day was over at Buffalo Wild Wings. I'd never been there before and I'm an indecisive eater anyways, so trying to pick from all their sauces took me forever! But it was delicious and once it was over, I drove myself to Raley's to get a piece of chocolate cake because I deserve it :)
On a different note, I've been thinking a lot about this deployment today. Even though it totally sucks most of the time, I'm trying to be more positive about it. Like how this deployment has just reaffirmed what I already knew- Hubby is truly the guy for me and I love him to death. Even just hearing his voice for a 30 second check-in (Hi, I love you, I'll call you later, Bye) makes me smile and feel all warm and gooey inside. I just melt. If we get to Skype, I can't help but just stare at him and wonder how I got so lucky. Absence does make the heart grow founder.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
procrastination
Today was my last full clinical day of Adult Health II aka Advanced Med/Surg clinical. I'm so glad this semester is almost over, it's notoriously one of the toughest ones in the nursing program because we have 2 clinicals instead of just one. It's also been a tough one for me personally because this is my first college semester without my husband here. For the last 3 weeks I have had med/surg clinicals 2 days a week, class one full day a week, mental health clinical once a week, working at my job (I work in an ER as a scribe meaning I follow the doctors around to do their charting) 1-2 days a week, and picking my patients the night before med/surg clinical so I can stay up late working on careplans and looking up meds. It's been fun.
Usually I can deal with my crazy schedule except for one thing- I procrastinate. Terribly. If I'm doing homework I always end up on facebook, youtube, you name it. My new terrible habit is online shopping, I'm addicted to looking through etsy and amazon, sometimes without even intending to buy anything.
I didn't always procrastinate, back in high school I actually managed my time so that I wouldn't let things get backed up. My first year in college I also was able to just sit down and study. I blame the nursing program for my bad habits now, I'm just so burned out from taking classes year-round (fall, winter, spring, summer and repeat) to finish my degree in 4 years that I have a really hard time focusing.
I know it's cliche, but you really don't know what you got 'til it's gone. I didn't realize it at the time but Hubby really does help me study. When he's home, I usually work on homework while he plays Xbox on his spot on the couch next to me. He can see my computer from his vantage point and so if he catches me on youtube or whatever, he redirects me back to my homework. I used to joke with him that when he left I wouldn't get anything done and sadly, it's kind of true. I still have my obsessive "good grades" that all us nursing folks have, but it takes me 10x as long to write a measly 3 page paper than it used to. And now when I'm struck by a couch potato virus on my day off (ha, off), there's no one here to make me mac n cheese (Hubby's obsessed with it) because whenever I try to make it the sauce turns out watery. Sadness. At least I've extracted a promise from him that when he's back, he owes me a million chick flicks and date nights :)
Usually I can deal with my crazy schedule except for one thing- I procrastinate. Terribly. If I'm doing homework I always end up on facebook, youtube, you name it. My new terrible habit is online shopping, I'm addicted to looking through etsy and amazon, sometimes without even intending to buy anything.
(I thought this mug was funny)
Just the other day I spent 3 hours on anthropologie, a lovely store I wish I could afford to shop in, just looking around. It all started with my obsession to acquire a sugar bowl because I've decided my life isn't complete without one...but I digress. I didn't always procrastinate, back in high school I actually managed my time so that I wouldn't let things get backed up. My first year in college I also was able to just sit down and study. I blame the nursing program for my bad habits now, I'm just so burned out from taking classes year-round (fall, winter, spring, summer and repeat) to finish my degree in 4 years that I have a really hard time focusing.
I know it's cliche, but you really don't know what you got 'til it's gone. I didn't realize it at the time but Hubby really does help me study. When he's home, I usually work on homework while he plays Xbox on his spot on the couch next to me. He can see my computer from his vantage point and so if he catches me on youtube or whatever, he redirects me back to my homework. I used to joke with him that when he left I wouldn't get anything done and sadly, it's kind of true. I still have my obsessive "good grades" that all us nursing folks have, but it takes me 10x as long to write a measly 3 page paper than it used to. And now when I'm struck by a couch potato virus on my day off (ha, off), there's no one here to make me mac n cheese (Hubby's obsessed with it) because whenever I try to make it the sauce turns out watery. Sadness. At least I've extracted a promise from him that when he's back, he owes me a million chick flicks and date nights :)
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