all things may.

A quick iPhone picture I snapped at work one evening on a beautiful day in may.

May 2014.

May was one of those months where I feel went by so fast that I don't even know where to start. I dunno if anyone else in my neck of the woods feels this way, but I do feel as though I totally missed out on spring and went straight to summer. Which makes working in a cooler, air-conditioned building not so motivating to get dressed for. So here's to looking ahead and trying to remember the important stuff from May.

Firsts: major repair on my car,...anticipating one more before my next oil change :-(, sunburn of the year, seeing my brother pitch varsity,...

Favorites: coffee dates, manicures with Steff, time with my boyfriend outside, continuing to find joy in my work, short commutes, living in a city I love, having all of my friends in the same state..(I may be repeating myself from last month)

Things I've learned: I continue to strive towards balance, working lots of shifts isn't always the answer to my happiness, trying to be authentic with everyone I come in contact with - my patients, my family, my friends (easier said than done)

What I'm missing: rhythm in my life - I feel like my job makes that difficult (something I didn't anticipate being as much of a problem), holidays off of work, vacation, balance, budget, my own space,...

What I'm looking forward to: 6 months of being an RN for me (July 6th to be exact) & celebrating with my nursing friends, finding time to get into the sun, better health - stomach bug got me this weekend, double/ triple dates with my friends and their new relationships,... 

Words to ponder:

April 2014 ||lets review

 

April 2014. Birthday Month. AKA the best month of the year.

Well isn't this a welcomed surprise, I have actually managed to write a blog post more than twice in one month, and my only excuse is that being a young adult starting out a new job is seemingly more difficult to find balance in my personal / professional life than I thought. & I guess I don't know everything... So without further ado, I don't know about you (if "you" even exists anymore or if I just write to myself these days), but I liked these writing these posts in the past, I figured I would make one for April being it is the last day of the month! 

Lasts: hopefully last snow before spring/ summer? (I will ignore that there is snow possibly in the forecast for tomorrow), oil change for my car where they tell me I need to fix something else on my poor car (hah, lets be serious)

Firsts: paying all of my bills for the month using one pay check (mostly), purchasing my first pair of Hunter boots (the new "tour" style to be exact), apartment sitting my best friends apartment & cats...

Favorites: Celebrating my birthday, planning the next RN anniversary overnight in downtown, pampering myself to pedicures & manicures before long stretches of work, coffee dates, lunch dates, having my best friend in the same state as me, Easter with my whole family in the same house, my dad being creative and finding a way to cover up my windows (in the sunniest room of the house, my bedroom) so that I can sleep during the day during my long stretches of overnight shifts, my boyfriend forcing me to get out of the house and outside during said long work stretches to get vitamin d.  

Things I've learned: being confident & resourceful is one of the most used "tools" that I use during any given shift at the hospital, honesty is always the best policy, balance is essential - yet hard to find. 

What I'm missing: working "regular hours", shifts that go the way you thought they were going to, time off that coincides with my family & friends better.

Motto for the month:

    

April was good to me in many ways, and really difficult and challenging in many ways. I try to take the good with the bad, and am trying to go against my natural instinct and be positive, starting each day with fresh eyes. The older I get, and the more time I spend in a hospital, working with people, you realize life is hard, everyone's life is hard, for many different reasons, but part of that difficulty is finding how to truly thrive a flourish amongst the struggles of the day-to-day. I'm trying to find time and space in my life to create routines that promote healthy balance and it's definitely a work in process. It'll definitely help when this fine ol' state of mine decides to start acting like spring & not fall!

Breaking blogging silence. [September 2013 in review]

September 2013

My daddy & brother dropping him off for year 3 at Luther College. Year 1. Year 2.

First, my apologies. This last week two weeks have been filled with ups and downs and everything in between. So what happens when life takes over, no blog posts that's for sure. I had every intention to do my regular monthly re-cap post last week, then I got busy with work, babysitting, and then ended up with the stomach flu on top of it all (today is the first day I can sit upright without totally wanting to vomit and eating some solid food) TMI?. ooops. If you're interested in reading any of the past monthly re-caps you can do so here.  

Lasts: same as last month - I don't think there were any notable lasts this month, at least none that I can think of off the top of my head

Firsts: babysitting baby Liam who was born August 27th, 2013 (if you follow me on instagram you have definitely seen photos of his cute face), my first interview for an RN position (still having fingers crossed to hear a call back from them!), buying a yoga membership...

Things I've learned: patience is hardest to learn - yet important to gain, taking chances and letting life get messy isn't always a bad thing, learning to put myself out there, extending a kind hand can make a huge difference in people's lives in ways that I never even knew possible - even if it seems "insignificant" at the time

Looking forward to: extended summer (the weather has been awesome lately), starting a nursing job, buying a car, moving into my own place (at some point - buying a car and starting a nursing job come first)...

What I'm missing: nothing at the moment, trying to embrace and be happy with what my life has to offer in the here and now.

Cheers to September, now that it's already October. The sun is shining after a weekend of rain (much needed!) I am starting to feel better, and hopefully ready to start my work week again tomorrow. 

Feeling blessed and thankful for everyone in my life right now, and looking forward to hopefully starting young adulthood and moving away from this transition time. Fingers crossed. (hopefully more blogging too!)

August 2013

Photo taken on 35mm film from the house atop a hill at Arlington National Cemetery of the National Mall - August 2013

August 2013

August was filled with time of relaxing, hard work, and adventures. After my road trip to Washington D.C. though, I can say that the next adventure better involve a plane and not driving long distances anywhere. Birthday's were celebrated, time together as a family were spent, and then dropping my brother off at college for his third year of undergrad also occurred. After looking at the developed film from D.C. on our nearly expired film it makes me want to start taking more photos on film, we'll see...

Lasts: not sure if there were any notable "lasts" this month

Firsts: not packing to move back to school again, taking a family vacation without all five of us (Ryley had to work), switching to an iPhone! (I am now officially apart of the "iPhone club"), starting to feel ready to work full time as a nurse, applying for an RN job - I take that back, I started applying in July, baby Liam being born (friend from my college swim team having her first baby!), received my public health nursing certificate in the mail from the Minnesota Board of nursing...

Things I've learned: invest in what's important to you and prioritize it (even when it feels like there's no time!), still learning; but that God's timing is better than my own and depending on him is going to get me through times of impatience and frustration, say Yes to opportunity (even when I'm not sure what to expect), how to write a quality resume...

Looking forward to: seeing what job opportunity presents itself, what my first job will be, consistency in life, finding a routine again, owning a car (hopefully sooner rather than later!)...

What I'm missing: being surrounded by my friends and being able to be with a community all the time (living at home is just different), my brother - away now at college, regular schedule and routine (it's hard to have one when at any time I could be starting a first job),...

Well where I live summer is trying to stick around as long as possible - you will hear no complaints from me considering it took until almost August to hit 85 degrees. I really look forward to the fall as a new season in my life to see where everything goes with employment, friends, living situation. I'm hopeful that everything will work itself out for the best!

Here's to looking forward to the unknown!

July 2013

July according to my Instagram

July 2013

Well as many of you who may in the "20-something" category your instagram and facebook feeds have been filled with love, engagements, weddings, and maybe a few babies faces getting brought into the world. Well lucky for you if you follow me at all you got none of the above! You got lots of cats, food, and nature...hmmm. Enough said.

Lasts: studying for NCLEX-RN exam!!!, taking the NCLEX-RN exam, umbilical cord cut to my "undergraduate" institution,...

Firsts: not being a student, enjoying summer, taking the NCLEX-RN exam,...

What I've learned: 

“When a passionate vision is combined with a proactive daily attempt to succeed, the vision will manifest itself into a reality” – Marc Trestman

What I'm still learning: 

“Patience child, patience. Remember, life is a journey. If you got everything you wanted all at once there’d be no point to living. Enjoy the ride, and in the end you’ll see these “setbacks” as giant leaps forward, only you couldn’t see the bigger picture in the moment. Remain calm, all is within reach; all you have to do is show up every day, stay true to your path and you’ll surely find the treasure that you seek.” | Jackson Kiddard

Looking forward to: being a camp nurse, seeing what job opportunities present itself, first interview, Washington DC with my family, spending time with Saoirse before she leaves for Ireland,...taking one day at a time,

What I'm missing: my friends (everyone is everywhere else but here), financial flexibility,...

Faves: cats (depends on the day), little things, seeing kids discover the water and see their confidence grow...

Around the Internet: (Some serious..and not so serious links to love)

Why 30 is not the new 20

A Call to Action

40 Days of Dating

{Blog} you should discover if you want to be different, and be a change agent 

If you need a blog that is certain to make your day, in a sarcastically funny sort of way {here}

P.S. I still REALLY want my cats to tolerate each other so I don't have to get rid of Sassy {more here}...if you have any ideas I'm all ears!

June, one that I can't say I will forget...but probably won't miss.

If you follow me on instagram: AJKram...this month you have seen more photos of my cats (#Meikogram #MeikoandSassy), libraries, and coffee shops (#NCLEXPrep). What an exciting life I lead...? 

Which means: A) I'm a cat lady  B) I am going nuts  C) I really want to be a nurse or D) All of the above 

I'll leave you to make your choice. 

June 2013

Lasts: hopefully the last time I spend and ENTIRE month studying for a single exam, living in 1504, sitting in a classroom at my undergraduate campus, having our entire home smell of varnish from sanding or living room floor {here},...

Firsts: spending ACTUALLY an entire month studying for a single exam, studying in a library for more than an hour, living without internet or a TV (temporarily), introducing Meiko to another cat (more on that to be blogged about in the future), moving back to my parents home for an indefinite amount of time, basing my accomplishments that day based on how many hours I studied or practice questions I took, moving a full size bed from one city to another (thanx Mel!),...

What I've learned: my studying productivity increases when I have a sense of daily routine, with practice I am a better test-taker, the way I operate best at accomplishing big and overwhelming goals is by taking one day at a time, being realistic bet setting high standards is important, I can do something if I put my mind to it, I have the best (hands down BEST) family and friends in the world, I am really blessed,...

Looking forward to: not spending everyday in a library, having a life where I can do what I want, maybe spend enough time outside to get a tan line, life free of studying, being able to put "RN" at the end of my name, accomplishing big goals and setting new ones, seeing where God has planned for me to work, family road-trip to Washington D.C., being able to start a realistic budget and set financial goals, taking advantage of having Laura live so close by, being able to actually have time to blog again and not feel guilty about it taking time away from studying... 

What I'm missing: being surrounded by friends all the time, time and space to do what I want when I want to, financial flexibility, enjoying the summer sun and all it's festivities

Faves: living with cats again, being around my family, having an excuse to get a coffee drink daily, spending time with my brothers, having my "3rd" brother in town from Amsterdam for most of the summer, being spontaneous with friends, helping friends move into their new homes, celebrating with my friends their accomplishments, little things.  

   

April//May - what did you do to me?!!

{College Graduation May 25, 2013}

April/ May 2013

So I realized that I have totally gone off the routine of updates this last week, and then sooner than I know it May 31st already came and went..so here I am doing a monthly re-cap on the 1st of the month. Worst yet, I didn't realize I never wrote one for April! Silly me. April flew by without a roller coaster of emotions and schedule-nightmares to try to get me prepared for May and the ultimate month of endings and transition. All of these events and to-do lists piled up, however I think it ended pretty well...in a graduation commencement weekend that I'll hold close in my heart for years to come. I am a college graduate!

Lasts: last day as a student nurse technician and a student nurse for clinical ended on the exactly the same day in may, finished my final undergraduate course, sitting in the JDA as a student,...
Firsts: being "pinned" at nursing pinning ceremony, college graduation!, trying to participate in a #BlogEveryDayInMay link-up you can see how well that went {here}..I'm thinking I might use some of Jenni's prompts for later when I don't have anything to write about, we'll see.., shadowing a SWAT/ resource nurse,...
What I've learned: plan for everything; expect nothing....I'm serious at least when it comes to the last two months of nursing school...and potentially beyond 
Looking forward to: that moment where I can hold my college diploma in one hand, and my RN license in the other...that will be a really good day!
What I'm missing: space and time to do what I want to do...until I pass the nursing boards I don't think that my life is my own {truth}, I'm missing the hospital and my patients, I am missing investing in the elderly and the young, I missing being with the families that need a hug or word of support....I really just want to be a nurse NOW...
Faves: graduation celebrations with all of my family, getting pinned by my mom's sister, being able to complete the frame in my moms room (one photo of preschool graduation, one photo from high school graduation, and the photo of me in this post!)...

I'll be back...so I hope anyway, maybe posts on nursing pinning, graduation...how to study for NCLEX...those sorts of things.

Holding onto Winter {March Review}

Photo taken on March 28th, 2013 - St. Croix River (boarder between Minnesota & Wisconsin) - still so much SNOW!

March 2013

This month has been very busy, stressful, and a slightly frustrating, but I made it through. Time certainly has not slowed down and I cannot believe it is already April tomorrow (my birthday month!). I think there is truth to the saying that time doesn't slow down for anyone, with each month and year as I have gotten older I feel like life is moving so fast that sometimes I just want to press a "pause" button. As I enter into the transition between a college student and young adult, a transition to preparing for the next steps in my career, truly growing up it can be intimidating and overwhelming. I have now realized that I have to prioritize and understand that I can't do it ALL, ALL of the time. March 30th (yesterday) marked 2 full years of blogging (crazy!) and I love it, I love that it still is a space I can write of my journey and still be able to share and reflect both for myself, friends, and family (and maybe others!). I know in the past year my page-views have significantly increased, I have been writing more consistently, and a few more comments have popped up. I still am not asking for advertisers or sponsors, that's just not my thing. This space is a special place where it is available for those who want to engage but is also there to let me share. I hope that this blog continues to be a safe-place to share and connect with people and myself. 

Lasts: day of my GSJ course {here}, hopefully (fingers-crossed) snow of the winter season,...

Firsts: taking lab-draws from a patient, placing an IV, running with the hospital's IV team, spending clinical time in an Emergency Department, going for a night away with my mom to Hudson, Wisconsin, time during the school year where I spent more time in a hospital than in a classroom, real feeling of nervousness creeping in regarding transitioning into young-adulthood, going on meal dates one-on-one with everyone in my family in a one week span, paying off a credit card bill (or maybe that was last month...can't remember),...

What I've learned: this isn't the first time I've learned this but certainly has been come back into my life is how complicated and messy life can be and how imperfect we as humans are and with that there are some things that we will never be able to fully comprehend or understand, faith in a God that is bigger than human complexity but it doesn't always make it easier, patience and the way you approach all situations can be of the utmost importance, I need to hold close those moments and people that have entered my life that remind me regularly that nursing is the career for me and that I am smart and capable of getting through this transition and starting out my career, the little things are so important and that it is important to be able to slow life down just enough to notice those little things in life that make a huge difference,...

Looking forward to: nursing pinning, graduation, seeing where I'll be in 6 months from now// 1 year from now, change and transition into being a young-adult, all the snow melting!!!, post-graduation life...

What I'm missing: the sun (too much snow!), the warmth of spring and flowers and changing of the season, less stress, knowing what to expect, routine...

Faves: Spending time with my family over spring break and having all five of us in the same house again, going to Hudson with my mom, getting to spend time really being in the hospital and daily grind of it all, advancing my skills by learning how to do lab-draws and start IV's, the sun setting after 7 o'clock at night...

**See past installments of monthly re-cap {here} 

** See the entire series of posts regarding my GSJ course and my time studying abroad in Zambia, Africa {here}

** Read about why I blog and annual statistics {here}
** March {2011}, {2012}, {2013}

You know what's awesome, how faithful God has been to me even when it doesn't feel like it in the moment. I am still reflecting and thankful for Sarah's March 6th post {here} and lead me to {here} of her testimony and journey in her life and health. Life has been hard for me, (no not-open-heart-surgery-hard), but hard this month and this year in general. Sometimes it's hard to see where I am headed and that I am still on track. Then I read posts like Sarah's, I talk to a person at church, interact with a new patient at work, or I hear a song on the radio and it puts life in perspective. I truly believe God has a plan for my life and is control so much so that anything I could dream of is not even going to compare with what God has for me. I am really praying and trying to follow a path where I take life one day at a time, and be deliberate and honest with myself and others who join me on that journey. Life is fragile; working in nursing I realize this more and more every shift I spend in the hospital, and I want to live my life to the fullest depth and capacity it has to offer me. 

Happy Easter to everyone! 

I am thankful for the sacrifice and reason for this holiday night.              

Hello March, Where did you come from?!!

 

source.

February 2013

This month has been CRAZY. As I anticipated, I got off the plane from Africa at the end of January and it has been up and running ever since. As for my {monthly re-cap} it's a day late...ooopsies. Like I said, it's been kinda crazy. So my apologies; as I know everyone was anxiously awaiting to hear my reflections from this month ;-)

Lasts: LAST FIRST DAY OF UNDERGRAD! okay...but seriously, best feeling in the world.

Firsts: first day of my final capstone clinical experience on an oncology in-patient unit, time being picked to be primary nurse in a simulation and not be completely nervous and forget everything (still...had some slip ups), being in a surgical ICU unit, feeling like graduation is really going to happen...

What I've learned: I know more than I think I do, starting to live more in the moment and stop worrying about the future (STARTING being a key phrase), felt like home when I was on the oncology floor for the first time,my role as a nurse may be bigger and more crucial than I may even know; I hope I can continue to really take each patient individually and provide them the best care and make a difference even in the little things I do (working as a team and being apart of a tight-health care staff that can really prioritize that for our patients)...
Looking forward to: continued time in my capstone clinical, learning how to start an IV, COMPLETION of GSJ paper and class, graduation, jobs, future, SPRING (no more snow please!)...
What I'm missing: January, traveling, being away from home in a new place, African sun, less stress...

Faves: watching MIAC again from the pool deck, proud of my brothers successes this season, watching my littlest brother swim in sections, being home with my family (I can't live without them!), starting my preceptorship; I am SO excited to be on the floor and work as a student. 

Sorry this was more short and sweet than anything else, maybe if I reflect more there will be a post of February re-cap part II...probably not ;-)

Bring it on March! I can't wait to see what's in store :)

January 2013

Sunset on my last night in Chobe, Botswana at the Safari Lodge we stayed at.

January 2013

This month was as expected a life-changing and first-in-a-lifetime experience (I don't like to say "once", because I would love to go back and would do almost anything to make it happen!) I departed from the United States on Friday, January 4th and returned on Friday 25th, so today marks exactly 1 week since returning back to the states. Even though there were portions of the trip that were not exactly what I anticipated or wanted for the experience, I wouldn't trade it for anything. You only life life once and I intend on making the most of it!

Lasts: purchasing text books for my final semester of my undergraduate career, (hopefully) last time traveling as a large school group, writing a research paper outline by hand...

Firsts: traveling to the continent of Africa, going on a safari, using a mosquito net while sleeping at night, going in a taxi (particularly in a foreign country// although first time ever), visiting a hospice, seeing one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, eating rice everyday for a month, first time being away traveling for as long as 3 weeks...

Things I've learned: marketplace in Zambia, personal stories of resilience and hard work of women in a developing country, count my blessings, traveling is in my blood, there's so much more to learn, I am a person who needs a regular dose of personal space and time alone, traveling in large groups is not for me, I can problem solve when ATM machines won't let me take out money, wear skirts for nearly 3 weeks straight, walk wherever I need to go, spend long-lengths of time away from family,...

Looking forward to: finding out my preceptorship assignment for my final semester of nursing, graduation, new life, starting life not as a student, passing my boards, my last semester of college, nursing pinning ceremony 

What I'm missing: the African sun, free-spirit not bound to time or due dates, time to just live in an experience and go with the flow, slice of life without stress (for the most part), meeting new people, developing new relationships

If this month was a slice of what I get to look forward to in my life, I am really excited and nervous to see what's in store.

Look out 2013, ready or not, here I come!            

December 2012 {In Review}

   

...As if you haven't seen enough photos of my Christmas tree & of Meiko our cat...

December 2012

Well December, you gave me a run for my money. As I sit here and write my monthly rambling looking back, I have a sore throat, cough, and stuffy nose. The good thing is it is happening now and not during any of my clinicals of which then I wouldn't have been able to go to. The bad thing, I leave for Africa at the end of the week and would prefer to board a plane in tip-top-shape. I thought the semester was never going to end, and am still waiting on my last grade - of course it's a nursing class one and so far I am satisfied, best semester of them all actually!... 

Lasts: fall semester of my undergraduate career,...
Firsts: time shoveling at a house that isn't my parents, hanging a IV piggyback medication on my own, working the evening shift at a hospital, (& last) handing in my preferences for preceptorship for my final semester of nursing school,...
Things I've learned: I can do nursing skills on my own without skills review from a supervising nurse, I am capable of being more independent in my nursing practice, how to manage my time and still get sleep, I am stronger than I think I am,...
Looking forward to: Africa for a month abroad, graduation, summer, more time in the hospital, getting more competent in patient care, the future...getting over this cold before I leave!
What I'm missing: having some of my family home for Christmas, time with my brothers, summer, time to just relax...

This end of the month, end of the year was much appreciated. As I still know everything happens for a reason, and that includes the good, bad, & ugly it's still been hard, and a struggle. But I did it, and for that I am happy and grateful to be able to look forward to the new year!

Hello 2013!!

oh November {2012} I needed you!

 

November 2012

 This month was a bit of a respite from the last, I don't know if it was because Thanksgiving always seems to come at the perfect time, or if because once you get through November it's almost Christmas. Either way, November came with the switch of nursing classes, a breath of fresh air, and a welcomed change of pace. Now I just have to make it to December 20th and finals will be over, and there will be time to have a pause. After a hard October {here}, I really have a new understanding of my strengths and weaknesses. How much I have grown as an individual, as a nurse, as a student and that is something I can hold on to. 

Lasts: registering for undergraduate courses, declaring my intent to graduate in spring of 2013 (& first)...

Firsts: drawing blood from a PICC line, going into an operating room during a surgical procedure, being on a pediatric rotation in an acute care setting, GSJ - Zambia orientation/ meeting {here}, first time getting immunizations for a trip abroad {here},...

Things I've learned: how to navigate difficult & complicated situations in the acute care setting (& will continue to learn!), continue to be flexible & patient both in my personal life and in nursing, that I have a lot to be thankful for, when having a bad day prioritize giving thanks because it will help you focus on the good and usually have a change of heart, how dedicated my extended family are to each other (all of us at Thanksgiving together!!) {here}, continuing to learn how to take things one day at a time, the importance of finishing strong, prioritizing my time...

Thankful for: family & friends, quality clinical instructors, the opportunities I am given, being a United States citizen with the right to vote, a job, my dad (& mom) who is willing to drive me & support me in finishing out school, Grandparents that have been married for this long, a Grandpa who turned 85 years old, opportunity to have a pediatric acute rotation, forgiveness, roommates that let me borrow a car/ friends that are willing to drive me...

Looking forward to: Christmas, more time with family, Africa!!, the unknown after graduation, graduation, finishing out strong in school, continued experience at both work & school in the clinical setting, future in general...

What I'm missing: nothing at the moment!         

There are a lot of loose ends that have to come together in the next 3 months and my prayer is that I trust in God, the process, and take it as it comes. Nothing is certain, and life is a gift, so I hope that I can continue to live each day and moment fully and not give up when things get difficult or frustrating. 

Have a happy Weekend, it's finally Friday :-)

Won't look back October {2012}

 

unknown source. 

And with the last door bell ring of trick or treaters, October was finished!

October - 

Lasts: community health clinical// community health everything, first day at the new job as a student nurse, day of 4100!!

Firsts: Halloween handing out candy to trick or treaters, day of 4000, day in my new hospital job, seeing a bone marrow biopsy done first-hand, spending time on an oncology floor, working a one-on-one on high-demand patients, first swim meet of the season visiting my brother away at school

Things I've learned: how to advocate for my patient's/ & myself, work multiple day shifts in a row, to know what I know, rely on God, continue to take life one day at a time, not stress over spilled milk, actions speak louder than words, if I can get through this month I can get through the rest of school, it's okay to cry sometimes, hospice nursing is probably not for me

Thankful for: a church community that supports and lifts up their congregation in prayer, a job in a hospital that offers good learning and growing experience individually & professionally, an awesome boss at the hospital, parents who sacrificially support and love me when I need it the most, support of past professors, a home that is safe and warm on cold nights, I have all my necessities met, passing my 3rd to last undergraduate nursing class 4100, classes only being 1/2 a semester so that I can get a change of pace/ personalities

Looking forward to: pediatric rotation and experience, THANKSGIVING with all my dad's side of the family at our house!!, growing professionally as a nursing role through school & my job, the unknown after graduation, discerning what I want to do with my nursing career after graduation & the boards, GSJ - senior seminar course in AFRICA!

What I'm missing: last semester (still miss 3500), having a car, summer (always), more flexibility in my schedule/free time, time with my brothers...

The past two months of my life have probably been the most challenging, frustrating, difficult months that I've experienced in a long time. The things that I had to push through and persevere through I never anticipated while going into my last year of nursing school. I'm optimistic that the final push through this semester will go a lot better and I'll be able to better manage my time and strike a balance in my life. I really am hoping that during this pediatric rotation that I will be able to identify if this is something I can see myself doing for a career choice and narrow down my choices for my preceptorship next spring (132 hours of clinical on a single hospital unit required for graduation). I'm tentative regarding the optimism about the remainder of the semester but hope that I can move forward and not look back, and finish this semester off strong. I have high hopes for this class - only time will tell.      

So Long September {2012}

 

source unknown.

Oh September!

Lasts: first day of undergrad, first day of fall as a college student, annual physical at the pediatricians office (goodbye childhood!)...

Firsts: day as an official senior in college, taking 8 credits at a time (total 12 in the semester), getting a job in a hospital, going in a mental health locked unit of the hospital, taking a class with a police sheriff as my professor, time meeting baby Moriah...

Things I've learned: how to write a community nursing diagnosis, how to write a community care plan, time manage like a pro {most of the time}, live on a budget, depend on my friends when I need to, support others in their success, mental health nursing is hard, life is hard, reminded to take one day at a time, that in whatever capacity I am a nurse in the future an element of community health nursing will be part of it....

Thankful for: parents that love me unconditionally and sacrificially, a home to sleep at night, nutritious food everyday, a new job in the hospital, quality professors, support of professors from the past, how I was raised, opportunity to be in nursing school.... 

Looking forward to: GSJ - Zambia// J-term abroad in Africa, Pediatric rotation next subsection, watching my teammates swim, seeing a close friend// high school exchange student in town from Germany, learning & growing as a student nurse in my new job... 

What I'm missing: summer, excitement of swim season to start (too old!), last year (something I thought I'd never say!), having a car, free time, no homework...

I would be lying if I said this past month was a breeze, or everything I hoped for. It has been quite a challenge and learning experience. I hope that I will be able to take what I've learned this month and be able to move forward and successfully complete this nursing course I am currently in, and look back at it and see how much I have grown individually, professionally, and spiritually.

Looking forward to October!