This will have to be a work in progress post. I am exhausted at the moment and need to head to be soon to be fresh and ready for my first day back tomorrow. I realized today, in just a few days, I can say I graduate next month! (Countdown...62 days!!)
Ok, day one of my last semester of nursing school has gone by. Now time to actually play catch up:
Ok, day one of my last semester of nursing school has gone by. Now time to actually play catch up:
So, what have I been up to the last few weeks...clearly not blogging!
I somehow passed my last three exams that all happened within five days. I had my last OB exam on a Thursday followed by the final in our peds/OB class and our leadership class...on the same day. That was rough. I spent about a week in a state of panic/stress over these tests, and usually at the end of these exams and getting my grades, I have the sense of relief and can relax and sleep. Well, I got my results and had about five seconds of relief and time to exhale, (I passed!). The very next day I started my leadership clinical. This was 60 hours of clinical time in five days. We did get out a tad early, so it wasn't a full 60 hours, but it was close! I was beyond nervous, but of course, survived and actually had a good time. My instructor was great, very laid back, and wanted all of us to have a great experience. I was in a maternity unit. I was able to spend a couple days in labor and delivery and a few days in postpartum. I saw four births, which seems to be more amazing with every birth I see! I also had the opportunity to shadow a charge nurse on two different areas of the maternity unit. I survived Leadership and jumped head first into my extra long break!!
I started a to-do list for things I wanted to get done around the house while off from school. I was able to get some painting done (with still SO much more to do), Erin and I got our yard cleaned up and finally planted our garden. My mom came for a long weekend and we went to my little sister's graduation, which was wonderful. I also tried to organize my school papers and books, but I didn't touch the desk I NEVER use in our office. I think I will work on trying to sell said desk and new IKEA desk chair I have maybe sat in a total of three times since I bought it for this nursing program. I have taken over our dining room table (sorry Erin!) I have already moved back to the table ;) To end my fabulous break, I had three wonderful friends from back home in Michigan and Ohio make the drive out here for a long weekend of fun (and eating!) We hit a few favorite Philly spots and even spent a day in NYC and walked about 33,000 steps thanks to Jess' Fit Bit! Wow! I have also tried to start running again. Jax has been my running buddy, but I need to get my butt in gear and make it more of a regular occurrence.
In some not so great news, Erin's dad has been in the hospital for the past week. Thankfully he is ok and is actually back home today. He had surgery yesterday and is now on the mend. My poor Erin has been running herself ragged by helping to entertain our guests, visit her dad daily, and making time for me and Jax! I know she is counting down to her last school day, just to have a weekend and then head back to teach summer school. My hard working wife!
Speaking of my wife, we had some AMAZING news here in Pennsylvania on May 20, 2014...not only is it both of Erin's siblings birthday, it also marks the one year I have been in this program. But the MOST exciting part about that date this year was...
How amazing is this!?!?! Erin and I are now legally married in our own state! As of now, 44% of Americans live in a state where same sex marriage is legal. It's about time, PA...and only a matter of time before all 50 states will follow!!
Now, to pull in my excitement, I was yet again surprised by how overwhelmed I was with my first day back to school. This was also maybe the most unorganized day I have had so far. Hopefully it was just an off day and tomorrow will go better. I have a class from 9-1 then nothing again until 5:30! Thursdays will be my looooong days! Hopefully I can get some work done during the four and a half hour break. If I am super motivated, I can pack a gym bag and go to the school's gym and get some exercise in. We shall see about that.
I was given my placements for home heath (which is in June) and health promotion (which is in July). Home health should be interesting and a good learning experience. Our instructor today said how home health will help us to better understand our patients needs when they are being discharged from the hospital. I am just glad we are in pairs and not going to homes alone! My health promotion placement is in OB!!!! I am so so excited!! I will get to do teaching about breastfeeding and work with a nurse practitioner. I can't wait for July!! We do have to prep our education materials this weekend and send them to our instructor (who is the OB instructor that I loved!) by next Tuesday! BUT, once they are done, our prep is done and we may even get some time back for clinical. More on that later.
Ok, I need to head to bed, my first day, all four hours of it, was exhausting!! I will try to keep up on my blogging! I can't believe I am so close to the end!!!!
