Beach

Last Thursday, we drove to Rehoboth, DE to visit my aunts at the beach and attend a wedding for one of Justin's cousins. Since I can't take any time off from my job until September, this was pretty much our only vacation this summer. In order to take off those days, I ended up working 6 days in a 7 day period. We left at 6:30 am on Thursday so that we could go to the beach for a few hours that day. It takes us about 7 hours to get there. We spent all day Friday and Saturday at the beach as well since the wedding wasn't until Saturday night. It was pretty hot there, making the water feel very nice. Thankfully, there were no jellyfish in the water. We had a nice visit with my aunts, ate some fabulous seafood, and had a good time with Justin's family at the wedding. We came back on Sunday, making a pit-stop at our favorite Italian restaurant Maggiano's in Falls Church, VA.

Welcome Chandler!

A couple of weeks ago, I brought home our new kitty Chandler. We got him from the Humane Society of Montgomery County. He was 11 weeks old and already neutered. He's so sweet. He loves people and just purrs all the time! Gizmo has been getting along with him the past couple of days, but Alice is still a little afraid of him. I'm hoping she'll warm up to him soon because I think they'll make great friends!

New Car for Justin

Justin finally found a car he liked on Craigslist. It's a 2000 Audi. It has lots of nice features including heated seats and apparently it's very fast!

A Month

Tomorrow it will be a month since I started my new job. It doesn't seem like it's been that long but time flies when you're having fun! I still have at least 8 more weeks left in my preceptor-ship. On one hand, it will be nice to be able to make my own schedule! On the other hand, I'm sure I have a lot more to learn, especially with making judgement calls, I enjoy having someone to work with and complain talk with, and I like working during the day. I've gotten used to working 3 days in a row and having a bunch of days off, but I still might split it up once I'm on my own.

I've always hated the phone. But I especially hate calling doctors. My preceptor makes me do it sometimes. But it's a confidence thing I have to get used to. 

My parents are visiting us this weekend. We're going to go to the Natural Bridge and do some berry picking as long as the weather is nice.

Week 2 = better

Wednesday-Friday was week 2  on the floor for me. Last week I was so exhausted even after the first day. This week went so much better for me. Wednesday night I still felt like I had a lot of energy left when I went home and my feet didn't start hurting til Friday. So it looks like my body is getting used to me running around on my feet 12+ hours a day, 3 days in a  row. The days also go by really fast, which helps. We are always very busy, especially on the days that we have a lot of people leaving and coming.

Back to Work

Two weeks ago, I started my new job. The first week was orientation so it was Monday-Friday, 8-5ish. I mostly sat in a classroom, hearing from different departments and learning the computer system. It was informative, but the week seemed to really drag by. But then I had 5 days off before my 12 hour shifts started Thursday. I worked 3- 12 hour shifts in a row and it was really tough. Yesterday went by pretty fast because we were really busy but I definitely felt like a zombie last night. I slept a good bit last night and am feeling better today. Hopefully in a few weeks, I'll get more used to the schedule, mentally and physically. When I am on my own in a few months and am able to make my own schedule, I'm not sure if I'll want to work 3 days in a row, but we'll see.

The NCLEX

Last Tuesday (31st) I finally got my Authorization to Test which is basically the document that allows a nursing graduate to pick a date to take the NCLEX. When I looked up the dates, the first one available in Roanoke wasn't until the 20th so I looked up some dates in other areas. I finally decided that it would probably be best for me to to it on the 3rd in Newport News, which is where I'm from. This was a really scary decision for my since because I definitely didn't feel ready to take it so soon but everyone always tells you to take it as soon as you can. So I finished my NCLEX review book and drove to Newport News Thursday afternoon. Friday morning I took the test. I had TONS of people praying for me and I actually felt a peace (until I was sitting at the computer). The NCLEX is a computer adaptive test so you can get anywhere between 75 and 265 questions and have up to 6 hours to take it. Once the computer decides that you have answered enough questions to either pass or fail it, it cuts off. I answered 75 questions. I felt like I knew the answer to about 3 questions. I knew the answer to the first question, the one math question I got, and one other. I cried when I got my car.  Nurses tell you that if you feel like all of the questions were impossible then you probably passed because you answered enough of the "difficult" questions. But still, nothing prepares you for the feeling afterwards of failure. I was upset for a couple of hours (had to buy a new bathing suit to cheer myself up) and then decided that I would just not think about it. The bad thing about taking it on a Friday is that you don't know the results until Monday. Somehow, I managed to not think about it much over the weekend. I hung out with some friends in Richmond on Saturday and went to Randolph Park with friends after I got back Sunday. I was also excited about starting my new job today so that helped to keep my mind off of the results. I called the VA Board of Nursing Licensure number during at break at orientation this morning. The automated response said that I was currently licensed, meaning I PASSED! I can't tell you how good it feels right now to not have to study anymore and know that I have a job and am an RN! There are many people who don't pass the first time and I know fellow classmates who still haven't found a job. Thank you all for your prayers and support during this challenging time in my life! For over a year now, I have felt like God was with me every step of the way and that this is really what I'm supposed to do. For me, this is not just a dream come true, but a calling that I am finally able to fulfill.