Nursing School Chronicles - 2 weeks!...2 weeks!....2 weeks!

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.  <--- don't ask....I live in Virginia and if feels like Christmas

So.....

With each passing day.....the possibility of graduating is becoming more of a reality. 

(wait...maybe I should pinch myself again......*pinch*.....yep.....it's for real) 

I am so excited and overwhelmed at the possibilities.....meaning I am having trouble stringing sentences together.....so I shall ramble.....

1)  I have the NCLEX jitters....

NCLEX is the test you take that makes you an official "RN".  It works like this:  You graduate -->  You wait for a letter from the board of nursing saying that you can sit for the NCLEX -->  At this time you are known as a RNA (Registered Nurse Applicant) --->  This means you can get hired as a RN on a conditional basis....you can work as a RN orientee..but if you fail that test....you are care partnering or nurse aiding.  That is a big deal too because it is a HUGE pay cut -->  I do not plan on failing....however it scares the crapola out of me.  My nightmares of having a huge rock fall on me the day of graduation have changed into a huge rock rolling over my hands and I cannot do the NCLEX....or variations on that theme.....that or I draw a COMPLETE blank.  throat....closing....can't....breathe........

2)  I dunno what I want to do....

Well...that isn't completely true.  I would love to do Pallative Care, NICU, or Wound/Ostomy care.  But those usually take BSRNs  I will have an Associate's.

I am kind of bummed because I quite like doing the MedOncology thing.....but the Nurse Patient Ratio scares me (throat....closing....again....getting....hypoxic)  It just isn't fair. 

I am interested in the OR.....but now I have to see if they are interested in me.

I called the V.A.  I like the idea of working with Veterans. I like the idea of being a Government Employee.  They said they are really short.  hmmmm......I am entertaining the thought.

This is going to sound crazy.....but I kinda like Mental Health nursing as well.  (Crazy because I was sooooo frightened of it.)  I like the idea of getting someone well, body and soul.  But I fear losing my skills.  I wonder if I could ever go back if I wanted to.  I don't know.

I so don't know what I want to do.  I just know I want to be happy with my choice.  I know I want to make a difference.  I know I want holistic care to be a part of what I do as a nurse.  I am afraid I am being too dreamy.

3.  Graduation/Pinning.....

I think maybe 2 of my co workers will be coming to my graduation.  I am trying to recruit a pretend family so I don't look so odd.  Maybe I should check the local actors union.  I want Alice from the Brady Bunch to be my mom....I always thought she would be a good mom.  And hmm.....Maybe........Quincy, M.D. to be my dad.  He always looks serious and smart.  Hmmm.  I was kind of a daddy's girl though.  Maybe I will require an affectionate dad.  I could do the Carol/Mike Brady thing.....but they had that weird ooogy sex life thing.  Not that I don't think that is not cool....just kind of clinical and weird.  You know....a "right, left, there, ah thanks Mike."  Gross.  OH WAIT.....I got it.....scrap Alice and Quincy.  I want Morticia and Gomez Addams!!!!!! Yes!  I always loved how he gave her passionate kisses and it wasn't gross.  Plus they come with a complete family.  AND I would fit right in and NOT in a Marilyn Munster kind of way.  I would totally fit.  YES!  I want Morticia and Gomez to be my mom.  And Pugsley and Wednesday to be my sibs.  I wonder if they are available.

4.  I hope my other graduated classmate friends come....

But I am thinking that they can't.  They are all working I think.  :(

5.  I hope I get some sleep between now and then....

Cos Lord Knows I am tired.....and I look like it.....even worse.  Siiiigh.

6.  I am getting a little trophy for being an Overachiever.

heh...heh....heh.  I fooled somebody.  But hey....I never had a trophy before.  That is kind of cool.

7.  I wrote a speech for the pinning.....

But the day class....they are being putzes.  So we are making a small yearbook and it will be in there.  That, too, is kind o' cool.

8.  I hope I am not brokity broke on April 17th......

I want to (in no particular order):  Go out, Go get a massage, Buy Strawberries, Maybe buy some flowers, Sing some drunken karaoke, go to the beach, do nothing at all that weekend (staring at the wall or a hot date with my pillow sounds.....ooo.....HAWT) 

So those are my rambling thoughts of the day.....as I am 2 WEEKS away from the rest of my life.  (woot!!