It's been awhile....

I know I haven't posted much this semester. It has gone by quickly. I feel like I just began this semester, and yet it is already almost over. I have one more final to go on the 16. This semester has been really rough. September wasn't too bad. Our Gerontology class ended then and our Psychiatric Nursing class started. This was very interesting. We had clinicals every Friday at a Psych hospital. Honestly, I was terrified. I was unsure of how the patients would act. My first couple clinicals consisted of being on the adolescent unit. This just hurt my heart. In talking with some of these kids, I realized that they were going through some of the same things that I went through as a teenager. I kept wondering, what is so different that they ended up here? I realized that coping skills had a lot to do with it. These teenagers had no idea how to cope with life, so they turned to running away or cutting themselves. I think that part of the reason some teenagers didn't know how to cope was because of their lack of good parents. A lot of these kids came from broken homes and such. It was tough. The other weeks of Pysch clinicals got more and more interesting. But, overall, I feel that it was a good experience. And my clinical instructor ROCKED!
October was very hectic. I was at clinicals 3-4 times a week. This was such a stressful month. Care II was ending the end of October and OB began the middle of October. This month brought a lot of stress and tears, but I got through it. I loved my Care II clinicals. I had the best preceptor. I got to do so many things. I knew I was going to love being a nurse. Once OB clinicals started, I feel in love again. Despite my clinical instructor, I love OB clinicals. It is such a happy place. Labor and Delivery is so much fun. I LOVE seeing the joy on parents faces as they become parents and see their child for the first time. I cry every time. I forgot just how much I loved seeing that back from my days at CMC L&D. My last OB clinical is tomorrow. I am sad about that, but I am looking forward to my break. My psych class ended on November 30. So, now all I have is OB. It is a very tough class. But, overall, I enjoy it. Break is just 8 days away now. In 10 days, I head to Charlotte, NC for Christmas. I am more excited than I can express in words. I am really looking forward to the time with my family. That is something I really need.
God is doing some great things in my life. Once I realized that I am doing all of this for Him and not for anyone else, my confidence came back. God has been so good to me. He has blessed me. I was too full of doubt. Once I got rid of my doubt, my weight was lifted. God will see me through this rough year of school. I have already come so far. I have 5 months until I graduate. He will see me through!

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. ~Galatians 1:10

I have found my passion!

I am now in the full swing of my second semester of nursing school and loving every minute of it! I have truly found my passion in life. Right now I am in the middle of 2 out of my 4 classes, Adult Care 2 and Gerontology. We just had our first test today in Care 2, and I did great! I am absolutely loving learning everything that we are now! I have learned how to read ABGs, start an IV, give injections, take blood, and all sorts of other things. I start clinicals this week in the Woodlands on a Med-Surg floor. I cannot wait to try out my awesome IV starting skills on a real person! I also am doing a service learning day at an assisted living home. I should have some great stories coming up soon! More to come!

Vacation, all I ever wanted! Vacation, have to get away!

I had full intentions of posting quite a bit during my break, but I guess time just got away from me. I can't believe my break is basically over.

My finals days were very stressful. 6 tests in 2 days is not ideal at all. But with God's help, I got through it. After finding out that I passed all my classes, I really knew that being in this program is really what God wanted me to do. For that, I am truly blessed.

Brett and I have been quite the travelers. Early last Wednesday morning we left to go to Harrisburg, PA for a week. We had not been back to Brett's parents house since a month or two before our wedding. Our time there was way overdue. We did a lot of visiting with many family members. We even helped take Brett's sister up to college. Tuesday, we went with Brett's parents to NYC. Oh, how I have missed the city! We went to the Central Park Zoo, ate pizza in Little Italy, went shopping, saw the new Highline Park, and ventured into Times Square. I loved it! On Wednesday night our flight was delayed out of Harrisburg. By the time we reached Charlotte, NC, we had missed our connection flight to Houston that night. Charlotte was the best place to be stuck in overnight! The only thing that bummed me out was that my parents weren't even at their house! They have been overseas for the past couple weeks! But one of my best friends, Candice, came to pick us up to take us to my parent's house. It was so good to be able to visit with her a little bit. We slept at my parent's house that night and my wonderful neighbors took us to the airport early the next morning. It was so great to see them too! We sure do miss all our friends in Charlotte! We finally got back to Houston Thursday morning around 930. We jetted over to the apartment, pick up a few things, and we were off! We headed 5 1/2 hours south to Mission, TX to visit my cousin Adrienne and her family for the weekend. Today, we went over into Mexico and had the best tacos I have had, probably ever. It was fun! Tomorrow the plans are to go to South Padre Island for a little bit to soak up the last part of my "summer vacation."

It has been a busy vacation but a much needed one. I am very anxious to start back on Monday! Up next for this semester is Adult Healthcare II, Maternal/Newborn, Gerontology, and Mental Health Nursing. Every class has some sort of clinical! Can't wait!!!

Here are a few pictures from our trip:

Just about done...

I am in the mist of finals. I had one last Tuesday. Next, I have 4 on Monday and 2 on Tuesday. Then, that is it. I am done with my first semester! The past 12 weeks have really flown by. As I am studying for my finals, I realize how much I really have learned and how much I have grown through this experience. I still love the idea of being a nurse. However, there are some nursing floors that are not for me. Med-Surg floors are what I am talking about. I do not want to do that!

The next couple of days are going to be really tough. I can see the end in sight, yet I am finding it hard to focus on the task at hand. Pharmacology, Health Assessment, Professional Practice & Leadership, and Pathophysiology are the only things holding me back from my much needed vacation. These are the thoughts that are consuming my mind each day, hour, and minute. I actually think I had a dream about one of these subjects last night. I think it was Patho...I think there is a reason for that.

Pray for me as I study and take these last finals. They are going to be mentally draining. But Wednesday at 6am we will be on our way to Pennsylvania!

The New Me

The past few weeks have really been a turning point for me. I was so stressed and just so broken that I could barely remember what I was doing this for. Everything really turned around the beginning of last week. After a talk with my parents, some really great encouraging friends, and a little support from my teacher, I felt I was coming around. After the last little talk with my teacher, I began walking toward my car. At this point, it began to rain. It was the kind of rain that washed away all the bad things and gave me time to think. This was the point when I decided that it was me that was tearing myself down. From that point on, I feel like I am a different person. Well, actually, it's just me coming back from a huge funk. I have been so much more positive, which has helped my stress level tremendously! God really has a way of bringing you back from your breaking point. I realized this past Sunday that it has really just been a lack of faith and trust on my part. I have not had enough faith and trust in what God is doing in my life. I was trying so hard to do it all on my own. Just so everyone knows out there, THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE. Knowing that God is in control of my life and the day-to-day aspects of it is so refreshing. I can just focus on doing what He wants me to do and praising Him for it. God really is so good for showing this to me!

Meanwhile, I have done quite a few shifts at MD Anderson. It's pretty awesome learning how to be a nurse. It is so much better than my nursing assistant days. I am working on the Neuro/Rehab floor. I really enjoy it. I have had some amazing patients. It is so different for me because I have never really been around cancer patients in the hospital before. It is such an eye opening experience. I have to constantly remind myself that some of the actions of the patients are not a reflection of the patient himself, but rather the effect that the cancer is having on the patient. I am realizing how hard it can be for the patient to not be able to control his or her own body. Sometimes the cancer just takes over parts of the body. It is also making me aware that this is extremely difficult for the patient's family as well. It is actually very refreshing to hear more families get involved with care and ask more questions about the type of care their loved one is being given. I commend them for that.

Overall, I am learning so much in such a short amount of time. I praise God for every day that I make it through. I have 3 rough weeks left. Then, it's off to PA to see Brett's side of the family! I CANNOT WAIT! I am in such need of sun, fun, relaxation, and family! 3 weeks!!!!!!!

MD Anderson, Here I Come!

At this very moment, I am multi-tasking. I am currently listening to a Tegrity lecture on "pain." It is actually causing me pain listening to it. Not really, but I am learning lots about making sure that patients have their pain medicines. As a nurse, I am supposed to educate. So here it is; I am about to educate you... DO NOT take more than 4g of Tylenol a day or you could die. I just want everyone to be safe out there.

Any-who, I have had a lot going on, which I am sure you can imagine. I think it has been about 2 weeks since I have posted something new. I have had some really crazy tests in the last 2 weeks. I have had a total of 6 tests the past 2 weeks! CRAZY! I am really starting to get the hang of taking these tests and managing my time. I have actually managed to do quite well. I am proud of myself. I feel that I have come a long way since May 24. I actually just realized that I am halfway through my summer semester! HORRAY! August 18 here I come!

The past couple weeks have been full of change. Brett got a new job in a different department at Enterprise. He is now working in the Accounting Department as an Accounting Coordinator. He just started today, and he is really glad that he is not selling anymore. He also decided to go back to school. Come August 23, he will be a full time student and working full time. He is going back to Liberty University Online to get an Accounting degree. He is so excited about starting, but it will be crazy with 2 full time students. Needless to say, we had to get another computer. So I am now typing from our new iMac! We love it!

Tomorrow I start my clinical rotation. I am doing it at MD Anderson Cancer Center! I am so excited! I can't wait to get back into the hospital again and get my hands dirty! I am not sure yet exactly what floorI am on yet. I will find out at 630am tomorrow morning though.

Hopefully, I will be back soon to tell you about my clinical days!

Week 4 already?!?!

WOW! I can't believe that it is already June 14th. I feel like this all just started. A lot has happened since I last posted. We are nowhere near getting to the fun part. That starts next month with the start of clinicals. Anyway, we have had a couple of labs. I really enjoy them. It is great getting to actually do things. The first lab we learned basic things like bed-making, bedpans, and giving baths. I am an expert at this already because of my years of being a nursing assistant. But I have learned how to proficiently perform vital signs AND how to perform a catheter insertion. Don't worry...we use dummies for practice. This has been fun getting to do hands-on things.

We had our first test last Tuesday in Pharmacology. I felt really prepared going into the test, however, my outcome was definitely NOT what I wanted. After a little breakdown and some really good encouraging from family and friends, I put it behind me. I am going to ace the next one!

My days are filled with reading and listening to lectures. Occasionally, I plan some fun. I did get to go to Shreveport, LA to watch my brother, Payton, play baseball. It was great because my family was there. This time was much needed but not long enough.

This week is a really rough week. I have an Adult Health Care test tomorrow. Then, I have to start studying for my 4...yes FOUR, tests next week. It is crazy! My schedule for this week is no fun, only study. Actually, I think I did plan about four hours of rest for Saturday night. Other than that, my face will be in those books. With that said, it seems as though it is time for me to start studying again. I am going to rock that test tomorrow...ha, let's hope!

"I will study and get ready, and perhaps my chance will come." - Abraham Lincoln

First Clinical Lab tomorrow!

I'm just getting prepared for tomorrow's skills lab!

Nursing School...where have you been all my life?!?

So I have almost made it through my first week of nursing school! I am ecstatic! I actually am really enjoying it. I am not going to lie, there is a lot of work for me to do. But I feel that I am managing my time pretty well. I have my iCal all set-up with my day-to-day activities. I have a different color for each class and a black for personal things. Needless to say, the colors overtake the black. I am ok with that though. As long as I get to workout, cook dinner, spend at least 30 minutes with Brett, and read my Bible, I can make it through the day.

This week began with a couple of class orientations that I had to go into school for. Those were fun because I got to meet the professors. They are all so nice. They really want to help you succeed. I like that. But most of my days have been me at home sitting in front of my computer. I listen/watch lectures, read textbooks, and just try to figure out what I am doing. I am learning so many new things. I love my Pharmacology class already. It is difficult, as I knew it would be. But it is so interested how drugs can make the body do so many different things. I definitely see God's hand in that. And I already learned that nausea and vomiting is basically a side affect for any and every drug! ha.

Next week more fun begins! My first clinical lab! I love hands-on things!

"Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence." ~Abigail Adams

Are you kidding me?!

Nursing school has a lot more preparation then I thought it would. Since I found out I was accepted, I have been busy doing so many things to get ready to start on May 24. I am still so freaking excited!!!!!!

A packet of information was delivered about a week and a half ago. Brett and I were on our way to church as I was looking through the information. I got a huge surprise on the second page. This letter stated that I was being given a scholarship because of my grades thus far! I am ecstatic! Every little bit helps big time because I am not going to work while I am in school. I was so thrilled that God blessed me with this reward for my hard work. Along with that scholarship was a long list of things I need to get done. So far I have gotten a drug test, had a physical, filled out a residency questionnaire, filled out more scholarship information, and bought a lot of my supplies. The supplies have thus far been my favorite part. I finally get to wear a lab coat! It is so cute on me, at least Brett thinks so. I also got these really nice navy blue scrubs and new white Sanitas. Oh and Brett bought me an orange stethoscope! I absolutely LOVE it! Orange is by far my favorite color! But the books...Oh the books. I went to the school bookstore and suddenly became overwhelmed. I was required to buy 18 books for the Summer semester. Yes, I said EIGHTEEN! I mean, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! I just kept thinking about how I was going to get all of them to my car parked a block away in a parking garage. Wow! 18 books. I have never had to have that many books. Just think of the cost. I am going to pay a total of $1100 for my first semester of books. R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S! But honestly, some of the books really scare me. I am so nervous about my new classes.

These are the books that scare me the most...








Proverbs 2:6 - For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.


2 Corinthians 12:9 - But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Zephaniah 3:17 - The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.

Here is the start of it all...

It all began yesterday afternoon. I have been following a forum for people who have applied to the UT Houston Bacc2 Nursing Program. On this particular day, people began to exclaim that they got accepted into the program. See, these people have been stalking UTLink (online admissions center) daily to see if they have been accepted, unlike me who remained perfectly calm (NOT). When I saw the acceptances roll in, I decided I would check my UTLink to try my luck. It was not my lucky day. My status continued to say that my acceptance was pending the approval of the admissions committee. Bummer. This is what it has been saying since May 2009 when I prematurely submitted my application. At that moment, I needed a little confidence booster from my husband. I called Brett at work to tell him all that I had just gone through. He proceeded to tell me to continue checking and that I should not worry. "Ok, sounds good. I will just check online every 10 minutes until you get home." I drove myself crazy last night searching the Internet for my acceptance. I finally gave up around 7pm when my thoughts turned to my hungry belly. I thought I wouldn't sleep last night; however, I was out like a light when my head hit the feather pillow. I woke up at 4:30am ready to workout. I continued to think about my fate as I ran those miles. I arrived at work around 6:30 ready to start my workday. I was pretty busy through the first hour and a half. Then, I realized it was 8am! UTLink was up and running for the day! I decided to try my fate once more. I logged in pretty quickly. I then saw those words across the screen. "You have been granted provisional admission. Admission letter in the mail." My heart jumped as I quickly walked into my supply room to call Brett. After three tries, Brett finally answered. I GOT IN!!!! Our lives are continuing as planned. I proceeded to call my mom. And as I am sure you will learn in my stories, she hardly answers her phone. So, I go to dad. Dad, I got in! YES!! Tears are streaming down my face in happiness and excitement. Finally, mom was buzzing in. Mom, I got in! Tears are now on both sides of the phone! I loved this moment. Telling my family was the best.
I have been so happy today, as you can imagine. I am so excited for this new chapter in my life to begin. For now, I continue on with the 5 more prereqs that I am required to have to start this program, along with working 36 hours a week. Life is good. God has blessed me with a great opportunity to advance my career. God is so good!!!!