FOURTEEN DAYS AND COUNTING!!!!!

I'm seriously almost finished with nursing school. I'm sure by now, I'm starting to sound like a broken record to all my dedicated readers, but it's really all that I think about right now.

I did something insane yesterday. I was ready to take scissors to my own hair, so I made an appointment and went and had it cut REALLY short. I'll post pictures when I can get some decent ones. But she straightened it after she cut it and it actually looked good (after I got over the shock of seeing my hair straight!) I'm seriously considering buying a flat iron (and that was a purchase I NEVER thought I'd make!)

Here's something else I think I need to get. Since you remember meeting my bear, I think she probably needs to help celebrate my graduation from nursing school as well. They don't have a lot of choices. I really wish they had something in all white. Oh well. It will be a purchase well into the future.

I figured out that I only have to get a 35 on the final to pass. That's really not motivation to study. I could probably get a 35 by guessing through the 100 question test. Needless to say, I haven't been very productive this week. I passed one of the two ATI remediation tests this morning. I still have to retake the Leadership one. I did it again after I got home and did just fine. I'm going to see if they'll accept that or if I have to show up next week. I'm just worn out. . . I'm beyond worn out.

On the up side, I think my phone company finally fixed my phone. I have been having a horrible time dropping calls in my apartment. So much so that we exchanged my phone today thinking that would help the problem. It didn't. After that, I spent about 30 to 45 minutes in the store while they worked with customer service on the phone to get it to recognize all the cell towers that are located around my apartment (and apparently there are quite a few). I'm just glad I was able to hold a 20 minute conversation without dropping the call 3 times! :) Sometimes it's the little things, isn't it?!

I have started my NCLEX review course and am really liking it. I am able to get stuff done around the house while I listen. Plus it's on CD, so I can relisten to the course as much as I want! :)

Well, I've rambled enough for one night, I need to run to the store and pick up a few things for the weekend. I'll write more later, cjb

Prisca, this post is for you. . . We're almost done, but I want to know how you are doing!! I can't access your blog anymore, so would you kindly add my email address (auntpickle@gmail.com), so I can see how you are? I miss your updates. Thanks dear!

For the rest of you out there, I'm doing fine today. Taking it kinda easy. I'm still working on cleaning the rest of my apartment. It's coming slowly but surely. Still have a TON of studying to do, but that too is coming along. More later, cj

Growing anxious. . .

Well, ATI told me today that I have a 99% chance of passing the NCLEX. However, for some reason, I still have to take the Pharmacology and Leadership ATI tests over again because I can't seem to get the 82% that our school requires on them. Seriously, this is getting beyond silly.

However, on the up side of things, my countdown timer numbers keep getting smaller and smaller. For some reason, I guess I really didn't think this day would come. I know that I have worked for this, and now that it's happening it's almost too good to be true. I have a job lined up. I have taken a test that tells me I will pass another test. And I only have one more lecture day before my final exam. Wow.

My brain is pretty much mush right now so I'm going to close for now. I'll post more later in the week, cjb.

Back online

Upon waking up yesterday, I found that my internet and cable TV service were mysteriously disconnected. I figured it was a glitch in the system so I went about my morning and hoped it would return to normal status by early afternoon so I could accomplish my goals in a timely manner for the day. Of course, all the assignments I had to do yesterday required the use of the internet in one form or another. The TV would have just been a nice distraction. When I returned home from my meeting with my clinical instructor (I have an A in clinicals ~ which we all expected), I still had no cable or internet, so I called the company. They gave me the run-around that there were no reported outages, but that we could put in a work order. So I did that. By six o'clock (after having done deep cleaning in the bathroom and most of the bedroom), I called back to check the status of the work order (hoping that maybe an outage had been reported and that I would get my service back SOON). The lady told me that I was scheduled for the day after tomorrow (which would have been Thursday), but wait, there's a time for tomorrow. "Do you want that?" Of course I do, idiot. I have school work I have to get done by Thursday. I've already lost a day because I didn't have access to my internet that I pay for. Please kindly book me for the 11-2 time frame and I will be home. When the cable guy showed up today around 1:15 or so he said that someone had been tampering with the box outside. Gee, thanks to whoever did that. It really screwed me up. However, my apartment is slowly coming together. Now, I just have to get these assignments finished. I have now officially perched myself on my couch with my laptop in my lap and my internet up so I can do just that.

I also received my NCLEX study course today. After thinking it got lost because my apartment office thought they didn't sign for it when they really did. I went down there and we found it. So far it's really good. It seems that I need to work on pharmacology and fluids and electrolytes the most. I have to wait to continue the audio portion because I was accidentally shipped two of the same CD, but they are shipping that out today. Hopefully it will be here Friday or Saturday. No big deal. They were very concerned for me though.

I have also found the next purchase that I'm going to make for my home. I've been looking for the perfect shower curtain and I finally found it! Here it is! Isn't is gorgeous? Okay, you may not think so, but I am such a purple girl it is not funny. I already have towels and rugs, so I hope to get this with my next paycheck. I'm very excited. I really want my bathroom to be finished when all my company arrives for pinning!

The promised cold front has finally blown through. In fact, it is still blowing through. Right now it's in the low 50's and the temp just keeps dropping. I'm really glad I don't have anywhere to go today. I guess I'll be bundling up good tonight.

Well, I really should get on these assignments. I have several to finish up and really want to finish them today. I have to work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so there goes my weekend. At least I have my weeks to play with. I'm actually doing a lot of studying right now. Oh, I got an 80 on my exam. So, if I can get an 85 on my final (kinda iffy) I can get a B in theory. I have lots of study time, so it could happen. I hope everyone has a very happy Thanksgiving, cjb

3 down; 1 to go. . .

So I took my 3rd theory exam this morning. Considering the amount of time I had to study, I did really well. My raw score is 79. If they give us points back like the have in the past, I'll have a decent B. WOO HOO! And, I'd have to do about the same on the final to get a "B" in theory this semester. Not too shabby considering I failed the first exam. I only have two more quizzes and I should ace those with no problem and that will help my grade as well. I'm pretty hyped about this. I started this semester just hoping that I would pass, now I might actually be able to pull a B in a FIVE hour class!! :) I know that ultimately it doesn't matter except that I pass, but it sure would feel good for me to come out of nursing school with three B's and one C in theory. I've worked really hard and I want that to show.

I have also finished my clinical transition on Friday. Overall it went very smoothly. I had a great preceptor and the staff on the unit was very supportive. It feels great to be done with clinicals. I'm meeting with my clinical instructor tomorrow for my final evaluation then that's it.

Tomorrow, I will also work on finishing my work for my leadership class. Hopefully I can get it all done tomorrow so that I can work on cleaning my house for the rest of the week.

I need to go finish my summary for my clinical transition. I'll touch base soon, cjb

One class almost down

Well, I took the final in my Leadership and Management class today. It was on the computer and 100 questions. It wasn't too bad, but we totally didn't know what to expect. Tests like that drive me crazy. I passed none the less. When I came home to figure out how many points I needed to get an A, if I did all the assignments for the last module, I come up 3 points short, so I've decided that a B in my 2 hour class is acceptable. There's no chance for extra credit, so there's no point in doing extra work if I don't have too, right.

Today was also our first of many ATI tests this semester. It was also over Leadership and Management. We had to pass with an 82% in order not to have to remediate. I got an 80%. Seriously, I have to take the test again for 2%. That's just the way it goes.

I have to get focused on the next exam that falls on Monday. I have limited time to study, so I have to make the best of my time. Have a great day everyone, cjb!


Amended post ~ they gave us FIVE points back on our final, so now I HAVE to do all the rest my assignments, and I can get an A in my 2 point class!! Gotta love me jumpin' the gun and thinkin' I was going to get a B!! Just thought I'd let you know!!

30 days!!!!

My dad is so wonderful! He called me this morning to remind me that in 30 days, I will graduate and be a nurse! Of course, I still have to take the boards, but I'll be a nurse none the less!! 30 days, people! I've worked many years to get to this point and I can't believe that I'm finally to this point. I have a busy week/weekend, but I'm going to celebrate today. The next 30 days are going to be spent studying for my final exam and the NCLEX, and doing lots of cleaning on my apartment, but it has been worth it. I have to get on with my studying. I just wanted to say I graduate in 30 days!! cjb

I feel so loved

I must say, I think I have the greatest secret pal. I seriously don't know how I would've gotten through this last semester without little surprises in my mailbox. It has been such a pleasure to be taking part in this fun treat! I was surprised today (it would have been sooner if my apartment office was open later on the weekends) with an amazing package. I've somehow managed to misplace my camera, so I can't take a picture. Words will have to do. It included a book on knitting dishcloths. Obviously, I won't be doing this right now, but I will have a ton of time after I graduate to learn lots of new things! :) Also included were bamboo knitting needles and some really nifty looking needle holders, a cool organizer so I can put all my needles and such in that is pink plaid, four different skeins (are they still skeins if they are cotton?) of crochet or knitting cotton that are variegated (pinks, greens, yellows, and blues), and then a bunch of neat pens and pencils and a nice journal. All of this was included in a larger blue and white striped carrying case that is really cute. I really am just almost overwhelmed!! Thank you so much! :) You are truly a special secret pal and I can't wait to find out who you are!! cjb

NEWS ALERT! NEWS ALERT! NEWS ALERT!

This just in. . . .I finally accepted the RN position on the telemetry floor at the hospital I currently work at! Seriously, not even an hour ago! I'm really excited about the possibilities that this will bring for me!


But, alas, I must go to bed, for I have to go back to work tomorrow ~ with the horrible head cold I've somehow managed to catch. Let's all hope it stays in my head and doesn't move to my chest like it's trying to do! NyQuil here I come!! Good night all, more updates later, cjb

Crazy weekend

So I know I worked like a fiend all summer, but I wasn't having to go to school at the same time. Working 3-12's and then having to sit in class all day Monday really does a number on a person. My first transition day went just fine. Nothing major happened. My nurse is really great. I'm one of the lucky ones. Some of my classmates have preceptors that either really don't want to be preceptors or really don't need to be preceptors. Either way, I lucked out. For all you nurses out there who are preceptors, thank you for what you do! You are very much needed.

Work this weekend was just almost too much for me. It all really turned into much ado about nothing. And I don't tolerate that well. Sunday was much better than Saturday, so that's good.

Yesterday in class was crazy. Lecture days are tough to say the least. We had neuro all morning and then burns all afternoon. After the burn lecture I know something else that I'm not cut out for. Just looking at some of those pictures made me squeamish. I don't think I could handle the wound care.

On the job front, I still haven't accepted a position, but I know which one I'm going to accept. I need to just buck up and do it.

I have a crazy week. I'm trying to get some studying done today. I have transition tomorrow. Then I need to get studying done on Thursday. Friday is transition again, then it's back to work on Saturday and Sunday and we start the vicious cycle all over again. I guess that's the name of the game right now. After this week, I only have two more days of transition and I'll get those done next week!! Woo hoo, nursing school is quickly coming to an end. I have to get back to my studies. . . . I'll write more later, cjb

As promised

Well, my meeting really turned into more of an interview. I'm glad I planned ahead and dressed more professional and had my portfolio and everything that goes along with it because my manager had asked the clinical educators and the other floor manager to attend our "meeting". It turned out very good. They answered all my questions and left everything open for me to ask anymore that may arise. After it was all said and done, my manager and I talked for a few more minutes and she really encouraged me to continue to interview and make sure that I am making the right decision. She doesn't need a final answer until closer to the end of the month, so I still have some time. Based on the two interviews I've had so far, I would go with the one I had today. That's not to say that something else would come up that would be better, but I haven't had any other calls.

I have to get some rest for my first day of transition. I'll try to post tomorrow to give you an idea of how my first day as an almost nurse goes! I'm almost a nurse. I've almost accomplished my goal. Wow! Post more later, cjb

Doing the November Dance!

Happy November everyone!

I'm sorry I didn't post yesterday. I guess I made so many phone calls that it truly felt like I posted. I forget I have several of you that I DON'T talk to on a regular basis and you rely on my blog to know how my life is going! So my apologies.

My interview yesterday pretty much made my decision for today much easier. I don't know if that is because my mind was made up before I went in or because I didn't like what I saw, either way, I'm ready for my meeting with my manager today at 2:30. It was good to interview with another hospital and know what I would be expected to do. I would have a higher patient ratio and probably be working indefinitely on nights. I think I can make myself work nights for a little bit, but I don't think I can tolerate working them without an end in sight. And she didn't even tour me on the unit. So, that's the jest of it. It wasn't a bad experience and I don't regret doing it. As I was talking to my parents last night, my mom brought out the fact that at least now I won't wonder what it would be like somewhere else! I promise I will do my best to post this evening. I have another meeting at 6:00 for work, so it may be later, but I'll do my best.

Tomorrow starts my transition. We won't have our instructor breathing down our neck and will be there for 12 hours. None of that bothers me. In fact, I'm kind of excited about it. My days are a little more spread out than I would like them to be, but that's related to the way my preceptor's schedule melted with mine. I'm going to have to really watch how I study for the next exam because of it. I won't have a lot of continuous days off. They are REALLY spaced out. I'm trying not to worry about it too much. I know it will work out and I'll get the grade I need. I figured out that I can still pull a B in theory if I get decent B's on the final two exams and get all my points on the last few quizzes. This is a possibility. I know grades aren't everything, but I do need to consider my educational future. I don't totally want to screw myself. So far, I only have one C in theory, and I really would like to keep it that way. Plus, I have to remember how much I've had to work with all of this going on. No one else has to consider it, but I do!!

I hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween. I need to start reviewing like I have the exam on Monday. I'll post more later today and let you know how things go!! cjb