August

How is it August already!?  Where did my summer go??  Oh yeah, it has been spent inside the nursing school, inside the hospital and inside my house...I am so beyond pale!  I mean even more than I normally am!  Scary!

I am counting down the days until I have a BREAK!!  Yesterday, I was in a total funk.  I was thinking I wasn't going to be able to make it through the day, let alone the rest of this course.  I couldn't get my mind off of the fact that I want my break to start NOW.  I realized I was also utterly exhausted, so I didn't do much school work, and went to bed early.  I was in a much better mood today, so that is a plus.  I still cannot wait for a break...7 more days until freedom!!!  I am physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted.  Must. Keep. Going.

Tomorrow we have our final self-evaluation due in clinical.  We still have two days in the hospital next week, but we had to write out our strengths and weaknesses by tomorrow.  Next Friday, we have a day in our lab at school with a whole agenda, including, of course, a long write-up to do before to turn in.  After our lab time, we will all meet individually with our instructor to hear her critique of us.  We have had care plans, which mine on average have been about 18 pages, an OR write-up, post conference teaching, random articles to research and present, medications to learn and explain to our class as well as countless other tasks our instructor has thrown at us during our time on the floor to explain to our classmates in our after meeting time.  It has been NONSTOP learning and my brain is roughly at full capacity!!!  One of the most beautiful things I have heard was my instructor giving me back my last care plan (warning: bragging moment) and telling me I do not have to do the final "optional" care plan for next week.  I have learned and demonstrated the ability to apply my knowledge and to analyze patient care and diagnoses.  WOO HOO!  I will use those hours I now have to study for the last exam and final exam. 


I still cannot believe I am in an accelerated nursing program...I still am so nervous I won't be able to keep up, which scares me to know end.  I have to think positive, as my Erin keeps reminding me.  I look forward to the fall schedule, Fridays off!!  I have heard from students who have gone through the program, after this insane summer, the fall feels like slow motion, we may actually be bored.  Good thing I am surrounded by friends who have babies...I will be snuggling babies and having toddler play dates to my hearts content!!  I will also be able to help Erin maintain our home...lately I have my work area all strewn about and it's beginning to take over!!

Oh yeah, I was able to help pass out programs at the current students graduation the other night.  I also stayed to watch the graduation.  I cannot wait until next year for my graduation!!  It was a pretty short but well put together ceremony.  The program director gave a wonderful speech, surely will make me cry next year as I sit as a graduating nursing student.

I am realizing my thoughts are all over the place, so this is probably a good place to stop.  My eyes can barely stay open...off I go to hopefully get a few solid hours of sleep before my 4:30am alarm starts yelling at me!