Side note

So this picture you see at the top of the screen.... I actually took that! Just thought I should mention. It was taken in Hawaii over Spring Break '11 at our hotel. Oh yeah!!!!


Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Job so far

Since my last post - ALOT has happened.


1. I've started having more autonomy (kinda) at work
      - scary
2. I passed my BOARDS - - - - - OH YEAH!
3. .... I got a hair cut?


 Well - the list may not look very long - but it has been a whirlwind of a couple of weeks - six I think. I have had to start taking responsibility for patients... and I can still ask my preceptor questions (thankfully) - but it's been a time for me to transition from just observing, to actively participating and critically thinking. And I don't have to study for the NCLEX anymore - - - - that is such a sweet relief. :)

Just thinking about everything that I've seen and learned so far - my brain is tired!!!!


But it's been GREAT.


Anyhoo.... some of my home-dogs are coming to visit me tomorrow :)))))) Yahoo!!!!! And this week at camp = good times. I'm already looking forward to next week @ senior high camp. (I never really got to go to camp as a kid - except for gymnastics camp in 2nd grade... and winter camp - which was just a weekend - so this is me living vicariously through these kids/teens/adolescents. ehh.. maybe.)


I think I'm beginning to babble (weird word. along with the word dangle - like the phrase 'pt is dangling on the side of the bed' it just sounds kinda weird). After an 8 hour (SHORT) day... my brain still seems to be acting weird.


Let's just say - I'M SO EXCITED TO NOT SET AN ALARM FOR TOMORROW!!!! :D. 


ok this shall end. now.

Oops... I totally forgot!

Well - I realized that I totally forgot to post pictures from SPRING BREAK IN HAWAII!!!!! So here you go!!!

View from our plane

So ready for spring break!!!

Out on the tarmac... it was WAY too warm for that sweatshirt!

Waiting for our luggage - and our leis

Pulling up to the hotel - so open and beautiful!

View from our porch. "Partial ocean view"

Our room

View from the lounge, with live music - such a nice evening!

Sunset view from our room

Breakfast view

Volcano National Park - steam vent

The crater at the Volcano

**No we didn't see any flowing lava :(

The Lava Tube - the outside edge cooled before the center did so it left a tube

The Black Sand Beach

The Sea Turtles!!! So cool!!!!

Southern-most tip of the United States!

Great Restaurant with a view

A coffee plantation

Pool drinks - nice on a hot day

My first Luau

We did see real Manta Rays... but the pictures didn't turn out

World Botanical Gardens

WHALE WATCHING!!!!!!!

A mom and baby were playing around - so sweet

Yeah - we were there for the tsunami - but it was ok

Final sunset before we left for the airport - such an awesome trip

Our trip was a great time - Mom went for a medical conference - and we were able to enjoy such a beautiful place!!!

Week 1 Done

Well hello again!!


I am happy to say that Week One of orientation is complete! It was definitely an exhausting week for me.  Sure I'm used to running on lower than normal little sleep. (ok not really - Abby and I were like old people and were usually in bed by 10:30 every night.  What I wasn't used to was getting up at 6 and having to be out the door by 7 in order to be at the hospital on time.  My commute is about 47ish minutes... depending on my average speed on 69.  I don't mind the drive time, it is actually kind of nice.  I decided to let my iPod run randomly through my entire song selection (which I haven't done... ever), and it has been surprisingly nice. You know, it's nice to hear some of your favorites from 7th grade... One girl that I work with listens to books on tape while she drives to and from work... and I think I may check out the selection at the library... maybe get caught up on some Nicholas Sparks :)  (That's for you, Doobie) But this week was full of hospital orientation, learning the computer charting system, and hearing from guest speakers from Infection Control, Pharmacy, and Respiratory Therapy.  Next week will begin my time on the floor, with some class time learning EKGs.  Should be a good week.  I'm ready to get out on the floor.


Something that I thought was very interesting that I learned this week at hospital orientation came from many of the Big Wigs who came and spoke to us.  None of them were in the room at the same time, but they all said the same thing. "If you came here just for a paycheck, then we want you to leave." Working here isn't about getting money, but helping patients." And the quote for the hospital is "Be Remarkable." I just thought that was such a good thought. We ALL have to do things that we would rather not do - but hopefully in every thing we do, we can make a difference in someone else's life - and that is being remarkable.


Not much time left before I take the NCLEX.  Let's just say I'm ready to get that over with.... but I wish I didn't have to take it. :/


Next Saturday is Amy's first baby shower! This is the Bell's shower in Columbus, OH - it should be great!!!!


And maybe one of these days I'll post some end-of-the-year pictures and some from graduation... and other stuff.


Ok, until next time!


Inspirational quote for the day - 
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." Ralph Waldo Emerson

That's a Wrap, Folks

The end has come. I have officially finished my college career. oh.my. It doesn't even seem possible. But yes - it surely is true. I remember what it felt like as I ended high school - and college was such a scary thought - moving away from my family, meeting new people, experiencing a whole new world (not to be mistaken with the song). But now - I can't even begin to imagine what I was afraid of. These last four years have been great. I have loved making new friends and learning so much. Now writing papers.... my fondness for that has actually gotten smaller... but that's ok - b/c I'M DONE!

The time has come to move on. I just accepted a job as a REGISTERED NURSE at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, IN in the Cardiovascular ICU (CVIC). Granted... I still have to take the NCLEX to technically  be a registered nurse.... but that is just a minor detail (ok not really). But I am about to begin a real job. omg. People's lives will be in my hands *insert evil laugh here* How freaky is that?!?!?!? No - I really am excited, and I think I will get to learn so much through this experience.

And alas, I started college single - and am leaving here that same way *gasp!* No - I didn't get my MRS degree.... and I apparently didn't meet that special someone here. Common misconception from IWU - not everyone leaves here with a ring.                    Oh well                              I don't have to start buying cats.... yet.       hopefully

So - in honor of my 4 years here at IWU - a pictorial rundown

FRESHMAN YEAR

SOPHOMORE YEAR

JUNIOR YEAR

SENIOR YEAR

It's been good IWU :)