a 100!

OK, I'm not trying to brag but I have to make note of this day because it may not happen again in the next two years of school, but I got a 100 on my fundamentals exam!!!!!! For those who know how subjective and hard and tricky these exams are, you know why I am so excited. It was announced today that 2 people out of 81 students got a 100 but I didn't even have a thought that it would be me, and it was!!!!!
Ok, sorry so not trying to be proud because seriously, I have never appreciated my brain till now, so I'm just grateful.

I was a little embarrassed when I was at church talking about how hard nursing school is, and the person said,"You are smiling really big, you must love it." But then I thought, wow if I can smile through this incredibly tough month, then I must be going into the right profession. I cannot tell you how awesome it feels to be doing something that feels so natural and right. I feel like I will be one of those nurses that loves her job, no matter how taxing and crazy it is.
Today I checked off on urinary catheters. No, it wasn't on a real person, it was on a dummy. But man was it nerve wrecking. There are so many steps to performing it right and on top of trying to maintain a sterile field you have your instructor silently looking over your shoulder the entire time. But, I did great and it was such a relief to get that out of the way. Not too far out of the way though because I was informed by my instructor that she is going to find catheters for me to put in in the hospital. Thanks.
So, clinicals start in two weeks and I'm sure I'll have some interesting experiences to share, of course while maintaining the privacy of the patients, per HIPAA, in case anyone was worried. This is short because I have to read a chapter by tomorrow, although I'd rather just watch House.

I cannot believe it, but I have survived my first month of nursing school. Let me tell you, it wasn't easy. So many people told me it's really hard and tiring and I had no idea what they meant by that. It's like trying to explain contractions to someone who has never had a baby. This is the thing: the material in nursing school is not all that difficult. It's a lot of common sense application to entire body processes, but what makes it so difficult is the amount of time you have to learn it. I'm talking about having one week to learn 6 chapters. And these chapters may have 80-100 pages each! Plus, you are learning skills in the lab which you have to check off or test every week. I have had an exam every week in September and I have two more exams before this month is over. So basically my life consists of reading, going to class, studying, and practicing skills.
By Thursday of every week I am so over school, but the funny thing is, by Sunday I can't wait to go back! What?! I guess it's like labor amnesia. You forget how draining and difficult it is.
So, as I posted on Twitter, it is so nice to be working towards something you know God has given you the ability to do. I feel His favor all over my nursing journey. I was blessed to have the hospital that I wanted, with the instructor that I just adore, and on a really cool floor! I am going to have plenty of stories to share about the sights that I see there. I have to get back to studying, on Sunday no doubt, ugh. But I just wanted to update.