Holy Moly! Look who’s back! I have so many updates, I don’t even know where to begin. I’ll hit some of the highlights and try to update more consistently.
1. Graduation. After 2 years of nursing school boot camp, I’m finally graduating in 21 days! I honestly can’t believe everything I’ve been working so hard for is finally here. I’m so excited to be done, but there is a lot of stress that comes with graduation. First of all, I live in student housing, so I have 14 days after graduation to move. Second of all, there’s still the NCLEX to take. Third, I need to get a job. There’s also something very bittersweet about leaving nursing school and the friends I’ve made. We spend SO much time together studying and talking about gross things, we really bond and become like family. I’m sure we will all stay in touch, but it will just be different. And I really hate change.
2. Moving. As I mentioned above, I have to move shortly after graduation. AKA I have 35 days to find somewhere to live, sign a lease, and move. Luckily one of my best nursing school buddies is also looking for somewhere to live, so this week we’ve begun the house search together! I’ll be really excited once I know I won’t be homeless.
3. Precepting. I don’t think I’ve updated since I started precepting. For all of you who don’t quite know what precepting is, it’s basically an unpaid internship where you work with a nurse and gradually take over responsibility for her patients. For our program we have to complete 144 hours, or 12 12 hour shifts! At the beginning of the semester, we ranked where we wanted to specialize and precept. Luckily I got placed on pediatric oncology, which is where I already work as a tech, and ultimately where I want to get a job. The preceptor I got assigned, works nights, so I have been doing a lot of night shifts, and let me tell you, the adjustment is not easy…but that’s a whole other post. Anyways, I’ve done 10 shifts and have 2 more left. I’ll be precepting my last shift on Sunday night and have big plans to celebrate on Monday morning!
4. Interview. That’s right, my big Monday morning celebration is an interview! I got the call from HR yesterday that my nurse manager has reviewed my resume and wants to interview me for an RN position! I’m so excited. It would be for a new grad nursing position on the pediatric oncology floor, AKA my dream job. There are 7 people interviewing for the same position, so I’m really trying not to get my hopes up. It’s just so hard since I’ve worked there and precepted there. I’ve really gotten to know the patients and families and wonderful staff; I can’t imagine working anywhere else. So I’d appreciate any prayers/good vibes yall want to send my way on Monday morning around 8am (especially after working a 12 hour night shift!).
5. IOP. I don’t think I’ve updated since I started IOP, so the short and sweet version is that I began IOP in January and completed 8 weeks. I honestly could write a few blog posts about it, but right now it’s still kind of emotional and raw. But someday I will share with you what I learned and my experience.
6. CPR. OMG. I really need to dedicate a whole post to this, but I will give you a little teaser by telling you that I did CPR on an actual person for the first time and it was one of the most intense experiences of my life.
7. Miscellaneous/Other: I’m newly obsessed with Criminal Minds (I want to be Emily Prentiss). I actually researched job listings with the BAU because I’m that obsessed/slightly crazy. I’m also not physically fit enough to actually work for the FBI. I got my wisdom teeth out and greatly enjoyed my Valium. I went to a Demi Lovato concert and greatly enjoyed it, even though I’m 24. I registered for this years Hungry for Hope (the conference I went to in Nashville last summer), and I’m really excited to reunite with some friends and travel back to Nashville.
I think that pretty much covers it for now. But my creative juices are starting to flow again, so hopefully I will be updating more often. Plus, I teased yall and still need to elaborate and share more about night shift life, IOP, and my crazy CPR experience!
