TurboNurse

I have now officially survived nursing school. I'm not quite sure how I did it but I did manage to come out on the other side only slightly scathed.

Yesterday really was wonderful. The pinning ceremony went very well. I had my family and friends present plus a surprise guest that I was thrilled to see. I couldn't have asked for a better experience.

Several of our instructors spoke at the ceremony but I will never forget Ms. Asbury. This woman is so filled with wisdom and wit. She is just one of those people that sticks in your mind forever because she can really speak to you, to your soul. CNM is very blessed to have such a spiritually rich person teaching the next generation of nurses. If I ever become a teacher of nursing, I want to carry on Ms. Asbury's work and spirit.

So yesterday was busy but worth every moment. I got a lifetime of memories in just one day. Most good.

So I was sitting down today opening presents from my party yesterday and was looking through books that my husband bought me: Chicken Soup for the Nurses Soul.

First off you have to know that I absolutely love these books! I've been reading them for years and even still have some from back when I was a teenager! Sometimes it's like hearing God speaking right to you through others as He does best.

It got me to thinking about why I started this journey.

I was reading the back of the book and it says: "Most people don't become nurses because of the pay, working conditions, or the convenient hours. Men and women become nurses because they want to make a difference in the lives of others through the use of their competent skills and caring hearts."

I think that sums it up quite well. I really can't pinpoint what exactly compelled me to become a nurse. Some may say it's a calling but I think it was more like being hit on the head by a hammer by God. It was so obvious to me what I wanted to do from a very early age.

Yes I deviated from that for quite a few years but God kept hitting me on the head and leading me in His direction.

I am also writing this to remind myself why I got into this.

When I was doing my preceptorship in the Medical/Cardiac ICU, I kept second guessing myself and why I was doing what I was doing. I felt so dumb and incompetent. Going in, I felt pretty good but that all went away quickly. I think one of my worst days was my final day on the unit, the Monday before Graduation.

I was giving medicines via IV just like any other day but for some reason, on this day, I was exceptionally nervous. I'm not quite sure why. I think it may be because this was one of the sickest people I had taken care of so far. I felt so overwhelmed and over my head but some how, by the grace of God, I made it through.

And now I'm ready for more! Don't get me wrong, I'm scared out of my mind but I know that God would not lead me down a path in the wrong direction.

Since I'm officially jobless, I'm now applying for jobs like mad. I have several applications out at a hospital where I got my start as a tech. I'm really praying hard and crossing my fingers that I get an interview and a job. This place has treated me so well and I would be so honored to go work for them again. I'll never forget when I was first hired on there and I felt immediately like I was at home. I feel my values really fit into this organization and we are just a good fit. If I get hired on here as a nurse, I see no reason why I would leave other than if we move.

I have been talking to people that I have worked with before and asking them to put in a good word for me. I have applied for four positions under my old manager. I called her yesterday almost as soon as the pinning ceremony was over to let her know that I was graduated and really would be honored to come work for her as an RN. I know if she hired me on, it would be a decision she would not regret.

When I first got hired on there, before I even started nursing school (had just finished prereq's and got accepted) they were asking me if I would come work for them when I graduated. I sure hope that offer still stands. I love the people I worked with there.

I forayed out into another hospital for an extern position and got to see many different units and personalities out there and I NEVER saw a team such as the ones I worked with at Pres. I have a special place in my heart for everyone there.

The teamwork is just amazing. Yes there is drama but in the end it's about getting the job done, and this team does this very effectively.

Several of my friends went to my old unit as students and of all the comments I heard about people talking in class, IMC and APC got the highest regards.

OK, I'm going to stop rambling now.