Nursing School

Well, I'm officially back into the swing of nursing school.. and to give you an idea of how crazy it is... here's what we deal with.

But first let me add that we are Guinea pigs.. Our nursing department recently created a whole new program that involves 3 complete years of study into the nursing curriculum instead of 2 for generals and 2 for nursing. The new program will be amazing, but with anything new, there has to be the trial run, and we are it.

The teachers are learning right along with us, and when you are struggling to figure out what is going on, it can be a huge challenge.

All of the girls in my program are amazing and are the hardest working people I know, and you get to know each other well simply because when frustration and confusion becomes your life, you need your people.

but anyways back to the schedule...

I have four classes:

Nursing Theory

Nursing Interventions

Pathophysiology

Bio-medical Ethics

now these classes aren't just regular classes..
Nursing Theory Includes not only a Seminar (aka Lecture) but also Clinical 2 days a week (community health and acute care) AND simulation...

Nursing interventions is lecture multiple days a week, AND Lab...

Pathophysiology is Lecture 2x per week AND small group

Bio-med is one class... once a week... thank GOD... but not thank God for the amount of reading that is due on tuesday...and it's 3 hours in the evening after a 6 am clinical... oy...

keep in mind not only do we have to keep this schedule straight but keeping straight which week you have what rotation,
   and at what time
      and what you have to wear
         and what books you need
             and which prep you need to have done
                     and which readings you need to do
                         and which of our 1200 dollars worth of nursing books contains that reading

and it goes on... and on... and on...

It will be worth it right?

So this is it... my toughest year.. and all of us girls are scrambling to stay on top of the readings, assignments, prep, and schedule... add work onto that and time for yourself is virtually non-existant...

Now don't get me wrong, I am extremely blessed to have the resources I do that allow me to pursue my dream career and attend a private college with an outstanding nursing program, it is a HUGE blessing.

It will be worth it... someday... it just seems like that 'someday' is VERY far off...

Thank goodness for all of those other girls in the program who understand completely, to my family who continue to be my rock, and my friends who force me to take a break from the madness...

Thank you all!

Happy Living,
~M

P.s. Did I forget to mention that clinical starts at 6 in the morning.... yep... not even the birds are awake at that ungodly hour.... Pray for me y'all...

New Beginnings

With the new school year beginning tomorrow, I thought I would post about my recent weekend, BIG life moment here y'all!

This past weekend I moved into my first apartment with one of my best friends.. SO fabulous.

This change is accompanied by many different emotions all rolled up into one.. Excitement, nervousness, stress, wonder, but most of all, happiness.

Change is hard, especially when it involves taking steps towards becoming an adult.

But it is also exiting, new, and brings with it new adventures that teach you lessons about life and about growing up.

You’re responsible for yourself now. YOU make the decisions, you deal with the consequences. Its hard, but wonderful.

From the age of 18 to about the age of 25 I think we are all in the confusion stage. The stage where we so desperately want to grow up and make our own decisions, yet want to hold on to our childhood, making letting go a hard life lesson.

We all keep a bit of our childhood with us as we grow up, but there’s a part we have to let go, and moving from our childhood bedroom is one of those moments.

Another challenge of moving to your first apartment is how to fill it. I had a couple pieces of furniture, but not much folks.

The awesome part about this challenge was how much help I received from my family and friends…

Bed from my uncle, which used to be my other uncle’s! 

Lamps from an Uncle

Framed paintings from my Dad’s house

Couch through my Aunt

Numerous kitchen-ware from various aunts and uncles, family members, and neighbors

Coffee table from my 2^nd parents, was their first coffee table in their first apartment in Hoboken, NJ 20 years ago.. WHOA!

Flowers from the Schusters, and both of our Moms!

So blessed!

Someday I will be able to afford all matching pottery barn brand new furniture, and luxurious Williams and Sonoma bath towels and kitchen utensils…. But for now I absolutely love my hodge-podge of furniture… its almost like I have pieces of all my loved ones here with me as I start this new chapter of my life.. it’s comforting.

So as I make GF pancakes on my Grandma’s griddle that she used when my mom was young, sleep in the bed that has been loved by generations of Michels, and I use the beautiful china from England that I received from my wonderful 80 year old neighbor and family friend… I will be reminded of all the blessings in my life, and all of those people who were to support me and will continue to be there as I grow up into this new adult person.

Happy Living,

~M

p.s. a HUGE thank you to all those who helped us move.... you have NO idea how much easer it was with you all helping! So thank you very very much!