Snow Day at the beach!

The adventure of this week-- Snow day!

We have gotten at least 4 inches of snow here--eeep!

Class was let out early on Tuesday due to "a threat of a winter storm." I didn't really get it... it was still sunny and 65 degrees when I left school at 2:00. I didn't understand why everyone was so worried. One of my classmates even said her son's school was being released early. What was the fuss about? People were freaking out, so I gather that it doesn't snow here very often... so it was kind of a big deal. People were acting like we were gonna be hit by a giant blizzard--the grocery store was packed and had a line at least 10 people long... oy.

It didn't actually start snowing until about 7 o'clock. So I think that people could have gone to class... But hey, more time for me to study! It was announced around 11:00pm that school was cancelled for the next day. Great. A 6 hour lecture (which has information for our exam on Monday) was cancelled.

I woke up this morning with snow and ice still on the ground--and a delay at school until noon. Oh, great. More class time and lecture material missed. I used to love snow days. Now, they just make me anxious and scared. It is crazy to me how missing a day and a half of class can put our class so far behind on the lesson plans.. Now I am stuck trying to gain a full understanding of topic solely from reading the book. I have no idea what parts of the book to focus on or what the test is going to ask about each section. So I am trying to read for understanding and memorize the vocab. ugh!
One more hoop to jump through! The world of nursing school is already kicking my butt. Hello reality!

 Although, I did enjoy watching my husband run around the yard like a little kid, I am hoping that the snow gods wait to bless us with anymore snow--at least until the first few exams are over.

Here are some Snaps of the "winter storm" (:

 

Frustrated.

This is a vent of this weeks nursing school hurdles...

The most important book of this course, Fundamentals of Nursing, comes with an online learning tool called my nursing lab. This is a requirment for the course. Of course, to save money on the originally 300+ dollar book-- I ordered my book and access code from amazon. Just my luck, when I go to register for the course-- it says my access code is not valid... Awesome. I called the customer service line for the online learning tool and they said I had to contact the seller from amazon and that they could do nothing about the code being invalid... Even better. So I am currently waiting to hear back from amazon as to when they can send mean new and hopefully valid code.

Second frustration of the week...
This course has a lot of lab time to get hands on practice with our skills. At the begining of the course the instructors told us that we needed to purchase a lab kit which they had us pre-order back in December.  A few of my class members have already gotten their kits  from the bookstore, but the few times I have gone they have told me that they are out of stock and said 'despite what your instructors might have told you, you do not need your lab kit the first two weeks of class.' Which is exactly the opposite of what the professors said. Despite what they might think I highly doubt someone working at a bookstore qualifies to teach nursing school, nor can they decide when I am required to have all my class materials. Lets hope they call me soon so my head doesn't explode!

Cheers to jumping through all of the hoops nursing school throws at me! I am sure they will become much much worse in weeks to come!

Week 1

Well, I have successfully survived the first week of nursing school! And now a 4 day weekend to study for Exam #1.

All the anxiety and excitement I have had over the past few months is finally at an end...for now.
This week has been fairly easy. Everyone in my class is excited to be there--and we are already getting to know each other and form study groups! Not many of the other students have experience in the medical field. I am glad that I have that advantage. I already know a lot of the material--but I am trying not to be over confident. Being a nursing assistant will obviously help my with my first few classes. Phew! We are learning how to take vital signs, documentation, and proper communication techniques--most of which is common sense (in my opinion). There is a lot of reading so far, which I know will only get worse. I just need to train myself to TURN MY PHONE OFF and focus on the material I need to get through. It is all a learning curve!

Not much excitement happening for me this week. I am just gonna focus on my reading and perfect the skills that I already know. There is always room for improvement, right?

Until next week... I'm off to read!

Happy New Years!

Happy New Years, 2014!

I can't believe its already 2014. It seems that this time last year my life plan was entirely different than how it has turned out. This past year my life has changed drastically from what I ever thought it would be. I got married, moved to the east coast, and got accepted into nursing school--I couldn't have planned a better year. I never thought I would move 3000 miles away from home or be married at 21--but I did it!  I have learned and grown so much over the past 12 months. I am thankful for everything that happened this past year. It seems like everything fell into place perfectly. 

A new year and a new start! I am excited for the potential that this year holds. There is so much to do and so much to look forward to in the coming months! Planning a wedding and starting nursing school--two huge things to happen this year and it already feels like I am running out of time! This year has already started and I can already feel that it is going to fly past me. I am ready to see what this year holds on store for me and Trevor and ready to face whatever comes our way. 2013 was a great year--but 2014 will bring new opportunities and challenges that I am ready to face! Bring it on, 2014!

Happy New years from us to you!

Cranky Old Man

I came across this poem on a nursing forum website--allnurses.com. 

This was a much needed reminder. Lately, I have been dreading going to work. I am sick of being a CNA. I feel like a maid. Call lights going off every 5 seconds and me rushing to answer them on time.One grumpy patient can ruin a whole day. Patients and their families are almost always cranky and demanding. Sometimes its hard to put their bad mood in perspective--after all, I am there to help them. Why be rude to the person who is helping take care of you? Sometimes I focus on only the task on hand--not on the person I am working with. It is sometimes easier to ignore their bad mood than to challenge it.  It is too easy to get caught up in routine and not REALLY see your patients for who they are. Especially as a Nursing Assistant--its hard to take extra time to really get to know them.

As I approach the start of school I needed a little reminder of why I love my job. I needed some motivation to be the best possible nurse I can be. Its not just about me finishing school--its about giving quality care to my patients. All I can say is one day when I am cranky--I hope whoever takes care of me sees me! Be nice to the grumpy old people!

Cranky Old Man

What do you see nurses? . . .. . .What do you see?

What are you thinking .. . when you're looking at me?

A cranky old man, . . . . . .not very wise,

Uncertain of habit .. . . . . . . .. with faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his food .. . ... . . and makes no reply.

When you say in a loud voice . .'I do wish you'd try!'

Who seems not to notice . . .the things that you do.

And forever is losing . . . . . .. . . A sock or shoe?

Who, resisting or not . . . ... lets you do as you will,

With bathing and feeding . . . .The long day to fill?

Is that what you're thinking?. .Is that what you see?

Then open your eyes, nurse .you're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am . . . . .. As I sit here so still,

As I do at your bidding, .. . . . as I eat at your will.

I'm a small child of Ten . .with a father and mother,

Brothers and sisters .. . . .. . who love one another

A young boy of Sixteen . . . .. with wings on his feet

Dreaming that soon now . . .. . . a lover he'll meet.

A groom soon at Twenty . . . ..my heart gives a leap.

Remembering, the vows .. .. .that I promised to keep.

At Twenty-Five, now . . . . .I have young of my own.

Who need me to guide . . . And a secure happy home.

A man of Thirty . .. . . . . My young now grown fast,

Bound to each other . . .. With ties that should last.

At Forty, my young sons .. .have grown and are gone,

But my woman is beside me . . to see I don't mourn.

At Fifty, once more, .. ...Babies play 'round my knee,

Again, we know children . . . . My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me . . . . My wife is now dead.

I look at the future ... . . . . I shudder with dread.

For my young are all rearing .. . . young of their own.

And I think of the years . . . And the love that I've known.

I'm now an old man . . . . . . .. and nature is cruel.

It's jest to make old age . . . . . . . look like a fool.

The body, it crumbles .. .. . grace and vigor, depart.

There is now a stone . . . where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass . A young man still dwells,

And now and again . . . . . my battered heart swells

I remember the joys . . . . .. . I remember the pain.

And I'm loving and living . . . . . . . life over again.

I think of the years, all too few . . .. gone too fast.

And accept the stark fact . . . that nothing can last.

So open your eyes, people .. . . . .. . . open and see.

Not a cranky old man .

Look closer . . . . see .. .. . .. .... . ME!!

Silent Nacht

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTSkS0Abas4

Each year at the end of Christmas, we blast this song in honor of my Aunt Rene. Its our official goodbye song for the Holiday Season and gives us a reminder of how blessed we are. 

 Every year as I sit in the glitter of lights from the tree I can't help but think about the past year. I always wonder what things would be like if my aunt was still here. What would she be like? I did meet her, but I was not old enough to remember her. It always makes me sad that she missed out on seeing her family grow up. She missed out seeing what great people me and my brother have become. My brother is looking into becoming a police officer--I wonder what she would have thought about that!? From what my mom has told me about her--we would have loved her a lot. Just as she loved us. 

All I can do now is ask myself if she would be proud of where I am? Married and in Virginia? I am not sure about the first two--but I am sure she would be more than excited that I have finally got into Nursing School! She has given me and my family many opportunities from her death. I cant imagine the kind of decisions that she made before she passed--I can only see that she truly loved us and wanted to make sure her family was taken care of--even those who weren't born yet. I can't help but feel grateful for how much she loved me and take advantage of what she did give me. I full scholarship to college. 

This year as I listened to this song, I felt both motivation and sadness. I felt motivation to push my way through the next few years and graduate. I want to excel these next few years. Although it makes me sad that I never got the chance to get to know her--I have a loving aunt who left money for me to accomplish my goals. Along with her gift, I am lucky enough to have amazing husband here to support me through school. I truly feel blessed this holiday season. 

 I know that is what she wanted for me--and that is what I want for myself. I know that she continues to watch over me and keep me safe. 

Rest in Peace, Rene. We all miss you. 

Start of the Journey

Hello!

Lately I feel like my life has been crazy. A few months ago I moved across the country--from Portland, OR to Virginia Beach, I got married to a wonderful man, and the most recent blessing--Acceptance into Nursing School! I feel like my life has kicked into overdrive--and I am anxious to see what challenges are ahead of me.

With all all of my struggles through the end of my high school and my start of college career I had no hope that I would get into nursing school on my first time applying. The information session about the program gave me little hope that I would be accepted. My overall GPA is not terrific,  but the last few terms I have worked hard to keep my science grades up. Even though I had low hopes of what would happen with my application-- I applied anyways. The worst that could happen was they would not accept me into their program. I kept making back up plans. I looked into many different programs to make sure I would get into a program somewhere--anywhere. My husband constantly told me not to second guess myself. "Just wait until you hear from them. There are exceptions to rules all the time." Of course, I blew off his words of encouragement and continued to sulk.

I guess I should have believed him (he is almost always right...). I opened my acceptance letter to Tidewater Community College on November 18, 2013.  Now I have to hear 'I told you so' at least once a week. But who cares? I am officially accepted into nursing school! It is all worth it!

My cohort begins January 13, 2013!! YEEEE! I am full of lots of emotions--anxious, nervous, excited. I am ready to start school and FINALLY become a nurse. I seem crazy that everything finally seems to be falling into place. I have been researching what I should expect and looking over my books. I am trying to prepare myself for what I should expect. Also, I think I am just excited to start my classes. Reading over some of the material makes me so excited.

I have been praying a lot lately. Praying that god will help get me through school these next few years. My college record hasn't been the best--and I know that I need to work my butt off to succeed in this program. I have to jump through all the hoops and obstacles they throw at me. The good news is I have an amazing husband who is willing to help motivate and support me through the next few years.

I have heard many people say that keeping a journal can be an outlet. I feel that once I start school I will need something to keep me in perspective. Plus, I can share all my gross nursing stories on here and not freak my husband out every night! (: I thought I would keep everyone updated on my journey through school--and give me a little break from studying (once it starts).

My husband is the best. <3