So close...

Today was our last lecture day for Peds. Next week is our last Peds test and our last OB lecture (online). The week after we have our last OB test...and then finals the first week of May! Woot!

...and I just picked up invites for the pinning ceremony!

In addition to taking tests and finals, I'm also in the midst of planning Q&A events (3) that will be hosted by our student nurses association for the newly admitted nursing students (they all find out this coming Monday!). We chose the Monday/Tuesday before pinning/graduation as our classes and exams will all be done -  but everyone will still be in town. So I'll be spending my middle-of-the-week birthday putting on two Q&A events. Not too sad about it--as I'll be surrounded by people and involved with something that makes me happy (even if they won't know it's my birthday) and I'll also be with family the following weekend for pinning! :D

I'm already wondering what summer is going to look like. The priority will certainly entail studying for and PASSING the NCLEX exam (this is the RN board exam for those of you not familiar).  And it may entail applying for jobs--if I haven't secured one yet. I'm planning on a short trip to Ohio right after graduation to see my sister and her family. And until I have my license and job, I'll probably continue the part-time jobs that I have. Maybe even add a day or two if they need me. I'll need the income! I'm debating taking a statistics class that will be required for entry into a BSN/MSN program. I need to do some further investigation on where I want to complete my BSN and possibly what other classes I should be considering (Chem I & II???).

But I'm also now free to think about fun stuff... sewing projects and refinishing furniture, reconnecting with friends and planning outings like camping or trips to DC. And then there is also that marathon-before-forty goal I have (I'm turning 38 in a few weeks). Probably need to pick a race, read a marathon book or two and make a training schedule. I'm also looking forward to being more regular at the gym. I've kept going this semester, but my work and school schedules made it more challenging to get there more than 1-2 days/week.

But now that I look at the stuff I'm thinking about doing this summer... all of a sudden I'm realizing that I'm not going to be bored. I might be just as busy! eek.

Happy Friday everyone!

Spinning

My head is spinning with thoughts that are going in about a dozen directions!

Here's just a sample:

• Starting three new classes: Pediatrics, Labor/Delivery and Nursing Dimensions
• Course assignments and study guides already posted in all their tree-killing glory!
• Clinical expectations - working with new populations of children, infants, their mothers and families.
• Grad School - to apply or not apply right now; where to apply; deadlines!
• Resume updating and applying for jobs.
• Graduation checklist.
• Calender that is being pushed to the limits with course work deadlines, tests, quizzes, part-time job(s), etc..
• Chicken marinating that must get cooked, chopped and portioned out and frozen.
• Butternut soup that got triple or quadruple-seasoned with oregano that needs more butternut puree added to remedy it so that it can be portioned out.
• Pre-cooked and pre-measured ingredients for Turkey Chili (three batches worth) waiting to be assembled, cooked and portioned out.
• Two heads of lettuce that need to be washed, ripped up and portioned out for salads.
• Three baskets of laundry that need to be put away.
• Plants that need some TLC and new plants purchased/planted.
• Get caught up on six episodes of TV shows, in addition to a whole first season of another TV show that I just discovered.

If anyone would like to send over a personal assistant, chef and/or housekeeper, I'd be very grateful! Or flowers. Flowers would be nice.

Potentially good news: on Monday, I'm briefly meeting with someone who is probably going to strongly suggest that I consider a graduate level nursing degree program at the local university. From what I've gathered over the past week (of working with her on a project) is that she is a much-loved, heavily-awarded faculty member in the school of nursing. When she approached me today about wanting to talk to me about my future plans, I think she told me that she mentioned me to the head of the graduate program after talking to one of the coordinators for the project we just finished today. This person may very well have significant influence when it comes to applications for the program. Finances were the primary reason for me choosing not to attend nursing school at this university ($40K vs. <$10K--I SERIOUSLY do not have any interest in taking on debt!!!), but I would seriously consider this program if they could workout significant financial assistance for school expenses AND if my participation in the graduate program could also positively influence my job applications! It really was very affirming to be told that I had made a positive impression on her (still not sure how that is), enough to warrant her to go ahead and speak to the head of the program about me (without my knowledge). So very affirming.