I'M A GRADUATE NURSE!!!!

I can't believe I can type that!!! This journey has been a very emotional one, with many physical, financial and family hurdles to get through. I am finally letting it settle in. I am so glad I have a faith that allowed me to understand that the bump in the road was not the end of the road and that my faith kept me strong. Granted I cried a lot last weekend, every time someone would ask me how I was doing, I'd start to cry. I really was 'ok' with the fact that I had not passed the course, but it still hurt. I went to school on Monday, purely for the fact of finding out what I did wrong so I could do better when I repeated the course next month. I never EVER dreamed the outcome would be what it was! I am glad that this error occurred. It reminded me that I need to lean on Him who has helped me through this journey.

On Wednesday, we completed our 'exit' exam for the nursing program. It is supposed to be a predictive of how you would do on the NCLEX. I left knowing I had some work to do but was pleased with the score I had obtained since I didn't even know I was taking the exam two days prior to it. This morning we had a predictive exam for a prep course my school is offering to us. The purpose of this exam was so they would know how to gear what to go over for us. This exam gave you a percentage rate that they predict you'll pass the NCLEX the first time you take it. I was shocked when my exam revealed 94% chance of passing the first time I take it. I am going to take two prep courses and will register for the NCLEX following those courses.

Yesterday was our graduate luncheon. It was a relaxed afternoon to spend with our classmates and enjoy some food and cake. We then had our practice for our Pinning Ceremony. We had to come back in just a few hours all dressed up for the REAL THING!

I had been chosen as one of the two student speakers for the ceremony. I was honored to have Dale, Aubre & Tyler; my parents and sister and some very special friends who have shared in this journey with me, supporting me with prayers, supportive words and a listening ear; attend the ceremony to support me.

I was a nervous wreck when it was my turn to speak but thankfully, once I got going, I was fine. It's just opening my mouth to get the words to come out at first, LOL. I reviewed the past two years as evening clinical students and some of the things we learned and the instructors who helped shape us into the nurses we are! It was an amazing night!

Here are a few photos from the past couple days!!!

Graduate Nurses

Giving my speech

Just Pinned

THANK YOU JESUS!!!

Well, this has been a whirlwind! I posted Thursday afternoon after getting the devastating news about my exam. I had an outpouring of friends and loved ones who showered me with support and love. On Friday, I cancelled the Kaplan Prep Course I was going to start tonight to prepare for the NCLEX. I registered for next semester, unhappy I couldn't get the time slot I wanted, but had to move forward. I shared my sad news with my co-workers who all reinforced to me that this was just a bump in the road and I was still going to be a nurse, just not as soon as I was originally planning. Thankfully my faith kept my head on straight and I started to plan some family time (something that has been neglected for far too long). Dale & I signed up to help with a dog transport on Saturday evening (which they ended up not needing us for) so we took a ride, enjoyed a dinner and drove around looking at Christmas lights. Sunday after work, we started to put up our tree, getting lights only on the bottom before deciding to go see a movie. LOVE having time to just do something for us!

This morning I met with my instructor to review my exam. Typically we have a scheduled test review after each exam but being the last one of the semester there was not one. In reviewing my exam and the answers and belittling myself for selecting the wrong answer when I knew the right one (test anxiety is a KILLER) it was revealed that one of the MANY 'select all that apply' questions my answer matched the correct answer yet it was marked as wrong. My instructor had to meet with another instructor with the test key to review this. Then she returned to tell me that she would have to investigate this and would contact me very soon, asking for my phone number.

I left the school, texting Dale that I had this one question right and that I MIGHT have passed.  He got all excited, but I said NO, I can't get my hopes up to only find out I failed by an even closer margin.  So I waited for the call. A very short time later, my instructor called and said that that question was correct and so by a very TINY margin, I PASSED NURSING SCHOOL!!!!  I cried so hard, I think almost as hard as I did when I received the news that I had failed on Thursday.

So, this Thursday, at 6pm, at Delaware Technical Community College - Stanton Campus is my Pinning Ceremony. If you are local, I would love to share this accomplishment with you. If you have any questions, please call or text me.

WELL THE ROLLER COASTER RIDE CONTINUES

On Tuesday, I took my final exam in the one course (Community Health) of the fourth semester in the nursing program.  I did well on that exam and concentrated on my final nursing school exam. That exam was today.  I passed the exam, but not a high enough grade to pass the course (Med-surg).  I am devastated at the moment and will have to repeat the course next semester (which starts next month).  I am waiting to review my exam with an instructor next week so that hopefully, I will do better next time.

Thank you for the continued support.  As sad as I am right now, my manager said this and it helped a tiny bit:

"You have just hit a bump in the road. Somehow, someway, it will make you even stronger and an even better nurse"

For my friends and family that were going to attend the Pinning Ceremony at my school next week, please do not attend as I will not get pinned this semester.  I will hope to share some better news with you next semester.

THIS IS IT!!!!

Last week, as I put on my hunter green and white scrubs and ugly white nurses shoes (which are falling apart), I thought, I can't believe it! It's done! Clinical was OVER! The clinical portion (hands on) part of the program is where we actually get to treat patients. It was the time where you really felt like a nurse (at times). This semester also gave us an opportunity to be 'manager' of part of our team. I didn't think I'd enjoy that part, but I did. I enjoyed being able to help each member of my team as they needed it (since I didn't have a patient assignment myself that week). I reluctantly washed and hung those white and green scrubs until I know for sure I am done! I hope to never have to put them on again. As for those white shoes, they are falling apart and so ready for the trash!

Well, this is the final week of nursing school! Two exams this week. Always the roughest week of the semester. This time last year we got hit with a major snowstorm.  Monday, we got eight inches of snow, resulting in the cancellation of school the next day which would be the first of the two final exams. This was the most dreaded thing. We then had to take one exam on Wednesday and the final exam on Thursday. Just NOT optimal situation when you are stressed about passing the exam.

I have one exam on Tuesday, which I'm doing ok in that course, so, hopefully, I won't have any issues.  The harder of the two will be on Thursday. I hate that I will be on pins and needles until grades are posted on Thursday afternoon, but that is how it is in nursing school. 

As my countdown on my phone alerted me (like I needed a reminder), there are just a few days left in this semester!

When I shared this photo with Dale he commented that it seems like I just started. Another friend said it's been the longest but fastest two years!!! Only a nursing student would truly understand this.

So, now it is time to finish the final lecture and do many hours of readings. Please pray for me (and my friends) to get through this week successfully and onto the next hurdle (NCLEX)! I'll be sure to update later this week!

If you are one of my local friends or family, I'd like to take this chance to invite you to my Pinning Ceremony. It will be Thursday, December 18th at 6pm at the Stanton Campus of DelTech. If you need more info or would like to attend, please let me know. It is probably the most important event of a nursing students journey. Graduation is a formality and will not happen until May, so this is what we really look forward to.

GUESS I SHOULD HAVE WAITED A DAY!!

Well, last night I posted my typical after exam update. I shared with you the news of having done so bad on my exam and being extremely upset (I truly cried for hours yesterday). Today, after a student went over the exam with one of the instructors it seems there were some questions that truly needed to be thrown out. The exams had to be rerun! New grades were just posted and I PASSED!!!! I am so excited, thank you Jesus! I still have to work very hard to get through these final two exams (both the week of December 7th) but I am determined I will get through this! 

So with that news, I wanted to share with my friends and family that on December 18th at 6pm at my school will be our Pinning Ceremony. Any nurse will know the significance of this. We won't have an actual graduation until May (there is no winter commencement) but as a nursing student, we have our own ceremony. If any of my local family or friends would like to attend, please let me know and I'll provide the information. I am determined to be at the ceremony as a graduate!!!

Thank you to my friends and family who have been so encouraging along this journey. You kind words and supportive messages have kept me going for so many days.   

WELL, TWO EXAMS TO GO!!!!

I debated whether I should post an update today or not as I've sat here crying. I passed my exam last Thursday (and should have posted an update as I was feeling better than today), but I felt, I'd wait until this week. Well today was not good. I went into the exam feeling 'ok', not great, but I was sure I knew enough info to get through it. Well, I didn't.  

It's been the most difficult semester of nursing school. It seems the exams are each harder than the previous one and the questions seem to come out of nowhere. The required reading for each lecture is often the wrong chapter and/or page numbers so you aren't sure exactly what you should be reading. As a night time clinical student, I do not get the opportunity to attend 'live' lectures but have to view pre-recorded lectures (some of which are a year old). Previous semesters the lectures that were taught live in the morning were recorded and uploaded so that we saw and heard exactly what was taught to the day clinical group. We were told that there was no room if we wanted to attend the live lecture (basically a punishment for not being 'daytime' students). 

It's been a very frustrating semester and I can only pray and read and study what I can and hope that the final two exams keep me on the passing side. I go into the last two exams with a lot of weight on my shoulders. I have worked so very hard and truly just want to get done so I can move forward and start practicing all in the real world. 

I truly hope the next update I post will be me passing my next exam! 

FOUR DOWN FOUR TO GO!!!

Well this isn't the happy, "I passed" post! Unfortunately, I didn't pass my exam today. I didn't think that I had when I left the exam room. There was so much information on the exam and I just seemed to keep reading and re-reading my notes and feeling like I was looking at it for the first time again. I was told earlier this week that this was the most difficult exam of the semester and I am praying that information is correct. I'm less than two points from passing at this point so I am not going to stress about this. I'm going to dig in deep and start on the next set of lectures and readings. Three weeks til the next exam.

When I started this journey in May 2010, I knew it would be a long road; I knew it would take a LOT of time; I knew it would take a lot of devotion and I will NOT quit when I am this close to the finish line! The light at the end of the tunnel is brighter and brighter each day!

There are four more exams, seven weeks, 49 days between me and my RN!!! This is my countdown on my phone at 11am each day!

THREE DOWN!!! Five to go!

I didn't get a chance to post after my second exam but I passed that! Many others did not. I 'just' passed but as I've been told many MANY times, C's get degrees! Once I finish school and pass my boards no one is going to ask what I got on my exams! So I have to remember that!

So that brings me to today! I just passed my third exam of the semester! This time with a B. I've not gotten a B in so long that I forgot what that looked like! Things are getting real. I had to put in my application for graduation! I'll be 'graduating' in December but my college doesn't have a ceremony until May. I was asked 'Are you going to walk?' and I said ABSOLUTELY! I've worked very hard to get through this, I feel I deserve to walk. This past week I had to get fingerprinted for my background check as part of the state nursing board and licensing.

Our school does have a Pinning Ceremony in December a week after we take our final exam. As I pass each of these exams I can feel it getting closer! I'm exciting about all that we are learning this semester, it is all 'clicking' more as we are seeing it in practice. My position that I have at the hospital has enabled me to see things that I don't get a chance to see in clinical (due to not having a specific patient with exactly the same thing); I am very grateful that I've have this opportunity to learn while I'm working.

The main focus right now is trying to pick up extra shifts to bring in additional money since my unemployment has run out. I'm working midnight tonight and tomorrow since they are the only hours I can fit in some weeks. Off to watch another lecture as I prepare for yet another exam!

Final Semester

I actually thought I would write this before the semester started but that didn't happen. Life seems to get in the way!  It's been a month since starting my final semester in pursuit of my ADN (Associate Degree Nursing). I truly didn't think this time would get here after attending the information session for the nursing program. It seemed so far away.  

I have already conquered (barely) one exam (of four) in Community and Geriatrics and this week will be my first med-surg exam (of four). I have enjoyed my rotation in the community/nursing home setting as the RN now vs the CNA role we held first semester. I have enjoyed getting to know my patients since I had the same three for the four week rotation. Granted the first day we walk into a new setting I think to myself, no way would I want to do this; but by the end of the rotation I realize I COULD do this! This leads me to believe that I will not have a lot of difficulty finding a job as I truly have enjoyed each area of nursing we have studied so far and could work in any of those settings.

This semester brings on additional excitement as our daughter Aubre is now in the first semester of clinical. I am excited to share in her journey as she works towards her ADN.

I missed an entire weekend of study time prior to my first exam as the Philly 3-Day for the Cure was held several weeks earlier than it has been and it fell on a weekend that I would have devoted to studying. I spent the entire weekend with amazing friends and extended family as we raised awareness and $3.8 MILLION in the fight against breast cancer. I've already signed up to walk next year (and hope this time Dale will be able to walk with me) so if anyone would like to donate to this amazing cause, please use this link.

2015 SGK 3-Day for the Cure

I'M A SENIOR!!!!

I can hardly believe I am writing this, but I am finally a senior nursing student!!!! This semester has been a very difficult road and there were times I wasn't sure I was going to make it on to the next semester. I struggled with some of the exams as each one got harder and harder. I did very well in the clinical setting and truly enjoy the hands on part. I love helping my patients and learning more about the disease process while in that setting. Things make so much more sense then. I am now going to NOT think about school for a little bit and work hard at getting more hours at my job since I won't have classes or clinical to schedule around. I was told due to vacations I should be able to pick up hours over the summer. 

When I started blogging, I wrote about what I learned each week as the beginning stages were so much learning. Lately, it's been more of putting what we learned into practice. I really didn't elaborate on the various patients I had this semester, due in part that 1/2 the semester was in the psych unit and there is not a lot you can share as it is something to be experienced. I was surprised when I finished up my psych rotation that I truly would not rule out a job working with these patients. Big change from my first day on the unit. 

The Med-surg rotation this time was with much sicker patients. The second half of our rotation we had two patients each day (vs just having one patient). This was to help us learn better time management skills as we transition into our final semester. I am nervous and excited for this next chapter but very much looking forward to a couple months without my brain on overload.

I am going to pick up as many hours at the hospital over the summer to hopefully help keep my foot in that door so when I do become an RN they will hopefully hire me on at that time and pay for my education for my BSN.

I do not plan to post much over the summer but if anything important comes up I will be sure to update you all. Thank you for following along.

Oh, forgot to tell you, we have a new grandbaby. Her name is Skye. She is a bull mastiff puppy and Dale & Steph brought her home on Mother's Day. 

Six Exams Down Two To Go!

Well, it's hard to believe we are almost done with this semester. I've struggled with each exam, the ones I thought I did well on, I did poorly on and those I thought I bombed, I passed. Go figure.  So with that, I've given up 'feeling' for any exams. I can't deal with the emotional road each time waiting for the grades. I just have to pass the final two exams for the semester to move on and be a fourth semester nursing student.

It's the middle of April and it's odd that the first time in six years, i am not training for the Broad Street Run. Due to more than 40,000 (plus) people wanting to do this race, they've turned to a lottery system (they did this last year also), well this year, Aubre and I did not get in! I figured, oh well that's ok, save the money and the time that is required to train. Well  honestly, I miss it so I signed up for a local 5K that is helping a friends non-profit organization that helps those dealing with breast cancer here in Delaware. I started training for that a few weeks ago and got myself back on a regular gym schedule. I do truly feel better if I work out; I still hate to wait up in the dark to go work out but I got to do it! 

Oh Tuesday, it was the one year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing! It was hard to believe it's been a year. I remember awaiting our clinical assignments (we had just arrived on the floor of the hospital unit we were schedule to be on) when the first text news alert came across my phone. I spent a lot of time catching bits and pieces of the news on my patients tv or others around the unit. This was my Boston Strong support photo!

Last year, Aubre and I ran a 5K two weeks after the bombing where all proceeds went to the One Fund Boston and then did the Broad Street Run wearing our red sox (first blisters in a long time since I wore brand new socks for a ten mile race).

This is the start of Spring Break! No clinical or classes until April 28th!!! Not so say I have the entire week off next week, no, that I do not! Due to the lovely federal government in order for me to keep getting the tiny bit of unemployment they are providing, I have had to attend MANY classes, taking up time that could be used for studying (or job hunting). So my first day of spring break will be spent in a SIX HOUR 'Career Planning' workshop that I am federally mandated to attend, then in addition to that on Thursday, I am required to attend a THREE HOUR interview workshop! I get to work on Wednesday at the hospital (get that, I do work, I don't just sit home and collect unemployment, I just happen to have a part time, temporary job that provides a little bit of income). I also have an appointment to give blood on Tuesday so as of this moment FRIDAY IS OPEN!!!! That day will most  likely be spent studying (oh and preparing for our community mental health presentation!) 

Hoping to get completely caught up on lectures and notes so I can work on studying, studying, studying! I know there is no way for me to get better than a C for the semester (and that screws my GPA and the one scholarship I applied for) but I want to really try and do my best on these final two exams!

Well, I should get back to those lectures and note taking for now. Hopefully we'll have some pretty spring photos to update with next time.

Four Exams Down ~ Four To Go!

It's hard to believe that more than month has passed since my last post. I don't know how I managed to work full time while going to school and still stay on top of all the things I was doing. It seems each week I feel further behind. I have some how managed to stay afloat though. I am passing both courses at this point with two more exams in the next two weeks. Counting down days to Spring Break! No, I do not have plans, I'll be spending one day in an all day 'Career Planning Workshop' at the local unemployment office (mandatory as part of the tiny benefits I am getting.) I'm working two days that week and have a couple other things on the calendar but will use every spare minute to try and get the rest of this semester under my belt.

Just to give you a little bit of what I have been doing. I finished up the first med-surg rotation getting to work with several interesting patients. My one patient had suffered with COPD for years and wanted me to tell others that smoking was what did this person in. This patient had quit quite a few years ago yet was suffering to stay healthy to continue working. I was learning more about medications and labs during this rotation and was able to educate one of my patients on the need to take their medication with their dinner and NOT on an empty stomach in the morning. It is surprising when a patient tells you they have been taking a medication for a long time and they have been taking it incorrectly. Sadly some do not read the labels or the long print outs thinking they 'know' the drug. 

After our fast four weeks in med-surg it was back for our second psych rotation. I had the opportunity to be on the unit for those with addiction problems combined with mental health problems. Sadly for many this was not their first visit to this facility. This past week I had the chance to visit the children's unit. It was so heartbreaking these small children at an in-patient facility for mental illness. I just wanted to hug some of them.

I honestly had no desire to work with psych patients prior to this semester and not even after the first rotation here but now, I truly can say that I would strongly consider a position working with these patients. So many are just like you and me, just one step away.

I am now preparing for a community clinical visit to a rehab facility which I will be doing a group project on. I am also preparing for our next psych exam. I have two more lectures to watch and a lot of reading to do before Thursday. Wish me well and say a prayer that all this information stays in my brain and comes out when I need it!

Oh, I forgot one bit of exciting news, our daughter, Aubre, started in the CNA course for the nursing program at my school. The nursing program I am involved in has just be completely reconfigured and lots of changes for those who started this past January. Aubre has taken all the pre-reqs and has applied for admission and now just is waiting for word. Praying that she gets accepted into the upcoming fall semester for the nursing program.

There has also been lots of talk about the MAJOR hospital in the area will NOT be hiring ADN's (I'll be an ADN; Associate Degree Nursing with my RN after passing my boards); they are being told they have to hire those with BSN's. This is disheartening to many in the program I am in and I am praying and hoping that the job I am currently working will be a stepping stone to get my foot in the door when I graduate.

So that's it for now. I'll be sure to update after the next set of exams.

Third Semester

I actually started to update this blog just before this semester started, but never got around to it. The winter/Christmas break went entirely to fast. I've spent most of my time trying to get hours in the hospital at my part time job there. I didn't get done all the things I had planned as life just seems to go faster each year.

This semester started our psych rotation. I was very nervous the first day, but I'm always nervous at the beginning of each clinical rotation and then things go well. We missed our first clinical day because of snow (and several other days due to so much snow this winter).  I survived my first rotation on the psych unit. We were partnered up with a classmate and sent into a designated unit. My first night, I was on the 'recovery' unit, which is for 'high-functioning' adults. I was able to have a therapeutic conversation with my patient that evening and enjoyed the interaction. My patient seemed appreciative of the time also saying that it was the first time they were able to talk about something without crying. The next week (missed another clinical day due to snow/ice) so we only had one day. I was on the adolescent unit. It was interesting, yet sad, to see so many young people suffering with mental issues. Last week (our last until later this semester), I was on the 'middle' unit. This is where psychosis patients are. These are your more mentally disturbed, maybe hearing voices, type of patients. The student I was buddied with thought we should lead a group (it's an assignment required of us at some point during our rotations here, most wait until later in the semester), but she had a good idea and I was relieved to help out.

We had our first psych exam and I passed. Sadly, that's about all that matters any longer. I try and do my best, but I am not seeing A's and very rarely B's. C's are acceptable! As I've even been told by my counselor last week "What do they call the person who graduated at the bottom of their class in medical school?" "A doctor!" The letter isn't the most important and I've got to just keep trying to do better.

We are also stepping it up on the Med-Surg units. We'll be doing more 'nurse' things vs CNA type things (this seemed to be the consensus of what many mentioned in our first class).  We started back in the Med-Surg unit this week (but due to MORE SNOW) we only had one day of clinical this week (we typically  have two clinical days per week, then labs, lectures, seminars, oh and work also). We've reviewed our necessary skills, but I'm thinking I might need to get back in the lab so I'm not nervous. 

Our first med-surg exam was to be last Thursday, we got hit with ANOTHER snow storm so it was postponed to Friday. I was bummed as I had to work Thursday night (and really MAJORLY study again the entire day/night before the exam); well due to the extreme cold, what melted, froze and more snow fell over night so Friday school was closed also. Our exam was being pushed to Monday. I was working all four nights before the exam! My worst nightmare. I get home around midnight and have to unwind, I'm wiped out in the morning so the studying before work just did not go well. After getting home late Sunday night, I stayed up until 3:30 and was back up by 6am for the exam. I didn't do nearly as well as I felt like I did. Bummed. Thankfully we do have test review where we get a chance to go over our exams, see what the correct answer is and then try and figure out why we picked the one we did (which was wrong). 

I'm trying to stay on top of my lectures so that I'm not so overwhelmed when it is time for the next exams (in two and three weeks). I'm taking every opportunity I have to get help on any ways I am able so I can hopefully do better. I am looking forward to being on the hospital on Monday for clinical and being hands on with our patients. I will try and update again in a few weeks.