Gut Instinct (March 2, 2012)

This is a blog post I put on another one of my websites, because apparently I have three that have only been posted in once!
  So I woke up this morning feeling like it was one of those days”.  After fighting the feeling I manage to pull myself out of bed. Preparing to go visit some friends for the weekend, I drove my husband to work. On our way there I still had this bad feeling in my gut, although unsure exactly why. After dropping him off I made the 20 minute trip back home. Instead of taking my usual route I thought, wow I could really use a dose of the ocean and a fresh sea breeze smell. So I took the scenic drive home. With sunroof open, the windows down, and the sun beating down on my pale skin my dog and I cruised the strip. It was almost exhilarating to feel the powerful wind coming off the ocean, whipping through the car and blowing my long blond hair, as a kite would fly in the wind. A completely refreshing way to begin the day and weekend for that matter. 
   Continuing the journey home feeling lost in my thoughts. I again diverted my drive to include the scenery of Las Olas. For those unfamiliar, Las Olas is a street that houses a number of upscale boutiques, shops, and restaurants. Quite enjoyable to stroll down on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Continuing on my journey I am now three blocks from my home, when I see red and blue flashing lights behind me. Those are so unsightly when you have an uneasy feeling about the day. Well apparently I had become a little too lost in my wandering thoughts and according to the police officer I “blew through a stop sign”. A little exaggerated, I think so. I couldn't have been going more than 20 miles per hour to “blow” through a stop sign. He didn't waste anytime writing me that 165 dollar ticket.         
   So, being my fathers daughter, it was only appropriate to prove my innocence, of course after accepting my reward. So, it began with determining that the police officer wrote the incorrect street on my ticket. Also, after perusing through Google maps satellite view, I determined that there was not a stop sign that he claimed I “blew” through. Next it was time to investigate in my other car, in case he was waiting for other violators. Come to find out he was right I violated the law. Bummer that I have to give more money to the state. I guess that makes up for not having a state tax. Moral of the story, go with your gut feeling and don't "blow" through stop signs.

Wow..it's been too long...

    Wow December 2010? I guess I have been a little busy over that last 3 years. Not even sure where I should begin...well...then again the last 3 years of my life are a bit of a blur, all about to culminate in one short week, but we will get to that later. This blog was originally created to journal my experience in nursing school, but we see how much time I had for that.

   So, back to December 2010. As I had mentioned in a previous post, I was accepted into the nursing program at Broward College, which I started in January 2011. 

   The pictures above are my first day of nursing school. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. It was a long and tiring journey, but I would not change it for the world. To see the smile on my patient's faces, to know that I have touched their life in some way....no one can take that from me! The passion that lives inside my heart can never be melted and I know I was born to be a Nurse. I met many really great friends along the way and have learned more about myself and my passions then I knew existed. Although some of us that started together did not end together, we made it through by the grace of God. I will never forget my first day of clinical at the hospital and figuring out what they meant by a "code brown". Nothing like saying you are up to your elbows in....you know what I mean! The first words that came out my professors mouth on the first day of class was welcome to nursing school the end of your life as you know it. Literally, nursing school consumed every ounce of my attention and I can't thank my husband enough for how supportive he was through this. He saw the tears, the laughter, the joy, the pain, the accomplishment, the struggle, but most importantly he saw me through it all! On May 1, 2013 I received my Associate of Science Degree in Nursing. 

(Graduating Class of May 2013-I'm 3rd from right in front row)

   So, now that I have reached that milestone I am still not finished. I have been preparing and reviewing for the past month an a half to take my NCLEX-RN exam, so that I can be a licensed Registered Nurse. It's really hard to believe that after 3 years I am finally going to be a nurse! Most people ask what will you do? I have yet to decide what I want to do, as there are many options available. I anticipate that I will try different areas before I settle down in one area, but my first leap is to find a Medical/Surgical position in a hospital, where I can gain experience as a new nurse. I must admit I really enjoyed my Obstetrics rotation, so I am leaning towards that specialty. So there you have it my life in a very small nutshell over the last three years. What a relief that door is closed and I am ready and excited to open a new chapter! A big thanks to all my family and friends for their support along the way, not sure where I would be without you.

(Me with my husband and good friend Marsha)

Wintery Delight

    After living twenty nine years of my life in the frigid, slushiness, that is commonly known as "winter", I have landed myself in the ever so radiant sun beams of the vivacious South Florida for the cold season.

 Now I know why a large percentage of Mid Westerners deem themselves snow birds for six months out of the year. Sweaters one day, tank tops the next is my new definition of a wintery mix. I have abandoned snowflakes and icicles to take on the ocean breeze and palm trees. 

   The move most certainly has been an adjustment, one that deserves reflection. I never realized the significant impact that cold weather and snow had on the Christmas spirit. Singing the carol, "Baby It's Cold Outside" doesn't exactly render true, when it is eighty degrees outside. In hindsight, how exactly that became a "Christmas" carol is unbeknownst to me.  

   Santa is present in South Florida! He was recently spotted at the Irish Pub grabbing a cocktail or five, must have been some seriously bad requests from the kiddos this year. 

Apparently, South Florida also has a different interpretation of the words "Santa's helpers." 

Interpretation....imagination...I am not sure what it was, but it was not my notion of an elf! South Florida definitely leaves much to the imagination. Instead of an ice skating rink they have a little 10ft ice slide to replicate sledding. To top it off, there was nothing like a miniature snow machine on the top of a building blowing shaved ice into the air to simulate snow. Good attempt...cloning may have produced better results! 

    As much as I hate to admit it, I am missing the cold and snow during this Christmas season. At least there is one Christmas carol that I can accurately sing, "I'll Be Home For Christmas." Happy Holidays!

 

The story continues...

        After graduating from Illinois State University in 2003, I decided to move to the Chicago area to be closer to my long distance boyfriend at the time (now my husband, good choice). I began working for Steak n Shake in 2003 as a manager.  As many of you already know my father worked for Steak n Shake for twenty-five years before passing away suddenly in 2002.  My father was very successful with the company and the outpouring of people at his visitation was living proof of the amount of lives he touched.  The reason I chose to pursue a career at Steak n Shake was because I felt the need to carry on my father's legacy.  I quickly progressed through the ranks and ended up running my own unit as a general manager within three years. After working there for five years, I realized that although I was successful, I did not have the same passion my father had for the job. I thought about what type of legacy I would want to leave and I knew that it was caring for others. I put in my two week notice and on my last day received two letters from upper management, stating that they thought the healthcare field would be a great fit and thanked me for being a valued employee. I learned that life sometimes brings challenges, but if we endure those challenges we will open a world of opportunity.
         I have chosen a career in nursing because I know that it will satisfy my love for helping others. Nothing satisfies me more than to see someone smile amidst their pain because of something I say or do. Nursing also offers many options for career development. As a nurse I will have the ability to teach classes, to help with the shortage of nursing teachers. I will have the opportunity to work in a hospital, doctors office, school, or even in home healthcare. Being a person who loves diversity I thought nursing would be a perfect fit.
         Amidst seeking advice from the man upstairs, my husband was offered a job that would double his salary. This was it...it was my turn to pursue what I loved. I left Steak n Shake and began taking courses at the College of Dupage. To my disbelief I received A's in both of my Anatomy and Physiology classes and B's in the other science courses I had to take. It was as if I was a changed person. How could I possibly have gotten a D in the same course ten years earlier? I like to attribute my success to maturity! Being eighteen and on my own for the first time was not exactly conducive to studying. I am still not sure why we send our children out on their own to decide for themselves what they wish to do for the rest of their lives. Note to self, listen to your mother! Mother's are always right! 
        After being accepted to nursing school in Illinois, my husband received a job transfer to Florida. Who would say no to eighty degree weather in December? Not me! We made the journey to this beautiful place. Over the last year I have been in a tangled web trying to get accepted to nursing school. Finally, the week of my birthday in September, I got the acceptance letter to Broward College and so the journey shall begin January 2011. Until then I shall inundate you with useless information!  

How Did I Get Here?

    It was the Winter of 1999, when I began to journey down the path of Nursing. As a young woman approaching the end of my high school career, watching all of my friends prepare for their futures, I began to realize that I probably should do the same. So, I began the search for my future by looking at the St Francis College of Nursing in Peoria, IL. This lead to job shadowing a Nurse one evening a month on different units. What caught my eye? The passion and love those Nurses had for their career's. That was who I wanted to be when I grew up, someone who loved what they did. I knew what I wanted to do, but how I was going to do it was the next question.

   My mother had convinced me to go to the community college, instead of going away to school. Looking back I should have listened to her. Mother's are always right. I have said that more than once. Realizing that most of my friends were moving away from home to go to school, I took it upon myself to do the same. Secretly, I applied to go to Illinois State University with my father's approval. A couple months later the acceptance letter came in the mail and my decision was made. I was headed to ISU to begin my first semester in August 1999. I was accepted as a General Education major, which I later changed to Nursing. So why am I in Nursing school now you ask? The story continues.....

  After surviving my first semester at Illinois State I had finished some of the core classes, allowing me to begin taking classes within my major. Finishing the first semester with B's and C's I thought okay I am ready to take the plunge. The first pre-requisite for the nursing degree was Anatomy and Physiology. Yes just the sound of it is scary. Well needless to say it was scary and blew my hopes for the nursing program. I found out the hard way, that course is not one for people who do not like to study. After receiving a D in that course I decided maybe Nursing was not for me. I began exploring other options such as Computer Science, only to realize there was no way I was about to sit behind a computer screen the rest of my life. With the help of my roommate at the time I discovered Sociology. I was so intrigued by Sociology my first semester that it was the perfect fit. I ended up graduation with a Bachelors of Science in Sociology in December of 2003. After graduation I began to realize the job market for Sociology majors was about as broad as Sociology is itself. Now what?