Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

From Our Home To Yours

DTCC Pinning Ceremony - December 2014

What’s been going on. . .

Since it’s been a couple years since I’ve actually gotten my Christmas letter out, thought I’d give you a few updates since then. The last letter I sent, I was getting ready to start the clinical part of my nursing degree. It was a difficult two years, but in December 2014, I completed my nursing program, was pinned in front of family and friends (photo above is from my Pinning Ceremony). While in nursing school, my employer closed his office and I was able to get my ‘foot in the door’ at THE major hospital in the area. This gave me wonderful experience while I completed nursing school.

In June 2014, Dale & I traveled on the Disney Wonder to Alaska. It was breath-taking, the sights were absolutely magnificent. We truly would love to do that itinerary again. (this is the actual color of the water, not a backdrop).

Endicott Arm, Alaska

I took the NCLEX in February and passed!!! I was finally an RN! I was offered a part time position on the unit I was currently working on, to start the end of March. 

I started working as a nurse on March 29th. In May, I graduated from Delaware Technical Community College with my ADN (Associate Degree Nursing). I truly never thought I would be a college graduate. I could not have done this without the support of Dale and our kids. I decorated my cap for the occasion!

Early in May, Aubre, her friend Megan and I participated in the Broad Street Run. It was a very difficult run for myself as training was nonexistence with working so much during my orientation period. Aubre & Megan did amazing of course!

In May, Dale was told that Mar-Stans (his employer of 30 years) would be closing. The building had been sold. We knew this could happen one day but we truly didn’t think about it as it sat for sale for years. He was told they’d be closing the end of August. As the summer went on, they sale was extended and they finally closed mid-September. 

In May, Dale & I participated in an Honor Ride escorting five busses of World War II Veterans from the Pennsylvania State line to a celebration in Springfield, PA. There were bikes as far as you could see.

In June when I finished orientation, Dale & I were able to take day trips to Ocean City, NJ. We love to walk the board walk, have lunch, do a little shopping and when time permits, visit with friends who are in the area.

In June, the kids attended Firefly Music Festival (for those not familiar, think of Woodstock); they had a blast. Tyler and his girlfriend, Alexa, made it into Paul McCartney’s official video of his Firefly appearance.

In August, Tyler drove a Ferrari F430; a race-car driving experience that Alexa gave him.

In August, Dale, Aubre & I traveled to Disney for a quick weekend trip before Dale & I continued onto the Disney Dream for a Disney Vacation Club Members Cruise. Tyler stayed home, caring for the fur-babies and house.

In September, Dale’s employer finally closed their doors and he found himself unemployed for the very first time. Thankfully, the Lord’s timing is always perfect as I was offered a full time position the exact same time! 

In October, Dale & I participated in the Philadelphia 3-Day for the Cure. Dale crewed on the food service team and I put my new nursing degree to use by working with the medical team. We had a great time but I certainly missed walking. I am working on raising the necessary funds to walk this coming year.

2015 Lunch Medical Crew

Later in October, Dale, Aubre & I took Bella & Cullen to the Great Pumpkin Carve (held annually in Chadds Ford PA). The kids love Aunt Aubre!

In November, Dale started a brand new career at the new Wegmans grocery store. He was hired as a ‘chef’; this is an entirely new field and he’s really enjoying learning so much. He is working in the ‘Wokery’ (Asian food prep area) and really loving it! 

So, here we are in December. Dale & I just spent a few busy days at Disney. We have missed getting to see Disney at Christmas time due to my school schedule. We truly enjoyed the few days and seeing all the sights.

Aubre just completed her third semester in the nursing program at the same college I attended. She will be graduating in May! Tyler just finished his last two classes for his Automotive Technician degree. He is now a college graduate also! He and Aubre will both walk in May for graduation.

I’ll be starting back to school next month, working on my BSN. I truly enjoyed no school for the past year, but now that I am full time, I need to continue on. I hope to keep this newsletter tradition going, now that life is ‘calming down’. 

We wish you and your family a Very Merry Christmas. 

Love, 

Patty & Dale

Aubre & Tyler

LIFE AS A NURSE

Well, it's been a long time since I updated my blog! I came off orientation the first weekend of June (after only 8 weeks, so I guess I was doing ok) and I've been working since then. I was only part time (1/2 time) due to availability on our unit, but during the summer was able to work almost full time most of the time. 

During the summer we got word that Dale's employer was going to be closing in a few months. We have known for years that this had been a possibility but never really thought it would happen. The building had been sold and an end date was set for late August. We had a vacation planned for late August that was booked 15 months in advance so we were NOT going to cancel that! The close date of his business was pushed into September so we made the most of our summer and enjoyed our vacation and cruise.

During the summer, I worked every shift that had openings, trying to get the hours I could while Dale was still working.  This gave me the opportunity to learn what is needed to be done on each shift. I personally like each shift for different reasons. 

On September 11th, I was called to my managers office and told what I had been praying for and hoping for. . . A FULL TIME POSITION!!!! This position was 'effective' in two days (that coming Sunday). God's timing is always perfect for that coming Sunday would be Dale's lasts 'sale' day (then just clean up for a few days). It amazes me that no matter how much I worry and was concerned, Dale was not worried in the least, he knew God was in control.

So I became a full time nurse on September 13th! I continue to work each shift (even though I have primarily a day/evening person), I like to fill in wherever I am needed. I often go in when called to fill a void. I do work every other weekend while most nurses on our unit work every third weekend but I am working and I love it! With the full time position came full time benefits! My portion paid for insurance went from more than $1000 a month to about $200 a month! Another blessing! Just as Dale was losing his job my job would be 'paying more' due to not having to pay out of pocket so much for insurance! 

Since working as a nurse I have gotten a lot of experience with all sorts of things! I still have days where I don't realize I am not familiar with something until it comes along and thankfully I work on a unit that helps each other out. There is always a charge nurse or another more experienced nurse I can ask for assistance if I am in doubt. I'm never made to feel stupid for not knowing something and am given the chance to continue to learn.

I have been blessed so often seeing patients recover and get better. Often we have patients who stop back and see us and it is great to see them walking on their own or with minimal assistance. I truly love that about our unit. 

I have been working 'on my own' for almost six months and feeling better each day and not so 'new'. I've been recognized a few times with 'Diamonds' (our hospital recognition system) and I was nominated by a patient for the Daisy Award over the summer. I truly love the care that we give to our patients.

As life goes on, Dale has started working at the new Wegman's in our area. This is entirely different from anything he has ever done but he is really enjoying it. Now the two of us take advantage of any time we both have off together (as we are often on opposite schedules). We are both looking forward to our upcoming trip to Disney to see all the Christmas decorations and partake in all the holiday things going on.

GRADUATION DAY - MAY 20th

I thought I had posted this but obviously saved it instead!  oops!

Wow, I didn't think this day would ever come. I never went to college after high school. I truly never thought I would one day be a college graduate, but that day is here! I am so blessed to have been working as an RN for the past seven weeks! Love what I am doing and love that I really do love my job! I've always liked what I did for a job, but now I have a profession, it's not just a job. It is hard to believe it is almost five years to the day from when I first stepped foot in a college classroom to walking across the stage tonight. We had practice earlier today and it was announced that we could not decorate our caps. Sadly I had already decorated mine. I was a bit mad and upset. We were told if we wore our decorated caps we would be given a blank one to wear for the ceremony. I posted a photo of my cap on facebook and had a friend comment that this was announced last year at her practice and many had decorated caps. So I thought, I will show up with my cap and see what happens. Personally, they should have told us this when we picked up our caps and gowns, not a few hours before the ceremony. I spent a lot of time and money decorating my cap.

So, I wore my cap proudly at my ceremony and was not stopped at all.  One of my advisors asked to see my hat before I went on stage and told me Looks Nice!

I am still on orientation (meaning I am working side by side with an experienced nurse) so that someone is overseeing my progress and just making sure I do know what I am doing. I attended about two weeks of orientation classes, some which were not applicable since I work on a unit that is completely electronic medical records and elsewhere in the hospital many units are still paper charting a lot of information. I attended some simulation events where we had to 'admit' a patient. I have already done this on my unit several times so I kind of 'took over' this exercise and went way past the point we were supposed to work to. On our unit, when admitting a patient or upon meeting a patient for the first time, I always ask what name do they prefer to be called by. Do they want 'Mr. Smith' or 'Bob' or some other name? I asked my 'patient' this during my simulation and afterwards during the debriefing the instructors asked why I asked that question. I explained that is what I was taught and it is part of our admission process. Out of respect, we should always address someone how they wish to be called. They seemed to like that little tidbit I brought to the simulation. 

I attended classes on emergency situations, on using the code cart, on wounds and treatments, lots of documentation sessions. I was  very happy when that orientation was over and I was back on the floor.

I'M REALLY A NURSE

Wow, I can't believe it has been almost two months since I updated my blog. After passing my boards, I was offered a part-time position on the unit I've been working on for almost 18 months. It was wonderful that I didn't have to spend time searching and applying for every opening available. I really wanted to stay with this unit I started out on as I truly enjoy the other staff members there. 

So, on March 29th, I was officially promoted to the position of RN level I!!!!!  I put on my first set of navy blue scrubs on March 30th and went to work as a nurse. I was eased into the process with only one patient to provide meds and care for due to my assignment with the charge nurse. I was able to take my time and review meds before giving them to my patient. Remember, I have not provided nursing care since my clinical ended on December 2nd. I was, of course, very nervous too. Thankfully, my patient knew their own meds better than I did so they helped to educate me a little that day.

The following day I had four patients, some with quite a few meds while others with not too many. It was a good day with a great preceptor who I have been assigned to most of my days so far. I am now up to five patients that I am providing meds and care for and LOVING my job! I really do! I love learning while I am working and being able to help educate my patients while they are getting better.

I just finished my second week as a new nurse. It's been amazing so far! I really do love it! Next week I will be on the unit on Monday and then it's off to new nurse orientation. The hospital I work at starts most new employees off on the same date (if possible), so Monday is new employee orientation. I attended that class already (way back when I started, lol) so I will go right into the first of many new nurse classes. I was told there will be some things I will already know since I've been working on the unit, but, I am certain there will a LOT of information I will still need to know.

I spent my morning filling out the necessary information for my benefits package. Even though I am a part-time nurse, I am finally in a benefit eligible position. I was surprised at all the options available. Since we have been paying out of pocket for out health insurance this will be a small savings for the time being.

I will try and update again in a few weeks! Thank you for continuing to follow along.

SO VERY BLESSED!!

Today, I received a small package in the mail. I did not recognize the return address or name. I opened the package to discover two envelopes inside. One contained a small wrapped gift along with a couple photos and the other a typed letter. I was still unsure who would be sending me something, I hadn't placed any orders lately and was just confused. The letter stated that I did not know the person, but she wanted to share her story with me. I cried as I read this woman's journey, so very similar to mine in some areas. I was so touched that she reached out to tell me her story. 

She didn't go to college until she was in her 40's, and it was a tough road with bumps along the way. She was pursuing a dream to become a nurse! Starting college later in life was very difficult, especially if you have to work while doing this. You worry about so many things that a young student doesn't typically worry about (i.e. finances, upkeep of your home, etc). Sometimes things don't go as planned and it takes a little longer to reach that finish line.

My new friend, Mary, shared her journey with me. She shared a beautiful photo of when she graduated nursing school (along with a current one of her and her hubby). But in addition to this beautiful letter, Mary sent a gift to me. It is a charm. This charm was given to her when she graduated nursing school in 1986. I think this is the most generous thing I have ever experienced and am still crying as I write this post.

Mary, I will be wearing this proudly!!!! I will also share your amazing story!

As it turns out, Mary's son is a friend of mine! We met Peter and his wife, Jen on a Disney Cruise to Canada, the summer before I was to start clinical (I was starting the following January). Peter & Jen have remained friends via Facebook and even came out to cheer me on when I walked in the Boston 3-Day for the Cure. Peter had shared my story with his mom, having lived through her attaining her dream and he has supported me with encouraging words or messages.

I am truly blessed to have such amazing friends!!! 

TOOK THE NCLEX EXAM and PASSED!!!!

Well, yesterday morning I took the NCLEX! I was waiting, very impatiently, for notification of whether I passed or not. I relied on God to get me through the exam. Sunday in church one of the hymns that we sang was "All Your Anxiety" and giving it to God, leaving it at the mercy seat. That song had to have been just for ME, right, cause I'm sure no one else is going through anxiety right now (right?), haha!

So, on Sunday, I did just what our Kaplan instructor said, NOTHING related to the NCLEX. No studying, no cramming, use the day to relax. I went to church, I got my nails done, I sat and watched the Super Bowl (commercials) and had snacks with Dale during the evening. It was a relatively relaxing day.

Monday morning, I woke and prayed for peace, for wisdom, to relax and take my time. I arrived at Dunkin Donuts at 7am to have coffee with a classmate who was testing this morning also. I told very few people I was testing this specific day, as I am my worst enemy. My test anxiety gets me so often and the stress of others asking if I heard anything, if I passed, if I tested, was to much to deal with, so I trusted this date with very few. Please do not be offended if you were not one of those very few who knew I was testing this morning. (I have family who didn't know).

We arrived at the testing center about 20-25 minutes before the test was to 'start'. The process of getting into the testing room is top security. You have to read a statement, provide your photo id (which name must match the name taking the exam, exactly; and the photo must look like you, so no outdated passport photos); have both palms scanned (palm vein scan) and your photo taken. You then must scan to enter the testing room and to exit it at any time (break, bathroom or completion of exam).

I was escorted to the specific computer I was to use for this exam. The TA signed me in and I was seated in walled off section with just my computer, my id, my key to the locker where I stored my snack and jacket and the dry erase board that we could use to write out things if necessary (often for calculation problems). During Kaplan our instructor told us to write our name and RN at the top of that page. I did just that! That was why I was there and needed to keep the focus.

I had done so many practice tests and knew that I had to take a break at approximately 30 questions in.  This seemed so quickly after I had started but I stuck with what I knew worked for me and I took a break. I came back and continued on with my exam. I never heard my friend leave (heard the person cleaning off the workstation). After I finished 75 questions my exam shut off!!!!! Oh my gosh, that was the scariest feeling. I knew the minimum number of questions you can get is 75, but the most is 265 and you are taught to be prepared to sit for the entire six hours. I did not think it was possible to have passed that quickly.

When I got home, I did what we were told did not work, I attempted to register to take the NCLEX again. The screen that popped up said I could not register for the exam. This is 'supposed' to mean you passed! I was excited but afraid that the trick was no longer valid and that I had not passed. I was crazy waiting, knowing I would not find out for at least 24 hours, but, I just wanted to know!!!!

This morning when I woke, I checked my email right away, hoping to see something, but no, nothing yet, ugh!!!! I got up and showered and hoped that I'd know before I head into work later today (no access to email at work). Just a short time later, I had several text messages from a couple friends (a group message) and one of those had taken the exam yesterday also. She said "OUR LICENSES ARE ONLINE"!!!!! Oh my gosh, I DID IT! I was really an RN!!!

I have to truly thank those who have helped me throughout this journey. The next step is to get that resume updated and find a 'real' job! I'll be sure to update on that process also.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Well, now that I'm done school, I wasn't sure I'd continue blogging. Some day I will really get back to scrapbooking (my true passion), but in the meantime I guess I'll continue this since a few were asking what's going on.  

Following my Pinning Ceremony I focused on Christmas and my family. I didn't think about school at all! It really was nice to focus on family for a change.

Our school was providing a course in preparing for the NCLEX. This course, ATI, is part of the new curriculum that is being used for the newer nursing students. The school offered this prep course for free. I had already signed up for Kaplan as I had heard a lot about how it really helps you prepare for the biggest test of life, (that's how I feel about it, lol). So many had opted to cancel Kaplan and just do the ATI program offered by our school (since it was free and Kaplan is not cheap). I knew I would want all the help I could get and decided to not cancel that.

So January started back at school, lol. It was three long days of questions and rationales. In the end, I didn't think I was feeling very confident still and very happy I had not cancelled Kaplan. I started Kaplan on January 13th and just finished up this past Thursday. It really is an amazing program and helps you understand WHAT they are looking for in the answer. I enjoyed the program and hope I as well when I take the NCLEX. I'm not sharing the actual date I'm going to test as I kill myself with test anxiety and having my loved ones asking how I'm doing or if I passed just adds to that. All I'll say at this point is I plan on testing in February. For now I will continue to do practice questions and lots of them to prepare for the NCLEX and TRY to not stress myself out.

In the meantime, I have registered and been accepted to Wilmington University where I'll be going on for my BSN. I hope to obtain a job at my current employer as they would then pay for this!!!

Oh my goodness, I almost forgot!! Today, in the mail was my college diploma!!! Since I didn't bother going to college when I was younger, I never thought I'd say I am a college graduate!