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Public | | Entries: 120 (Private: 2) | Comments: 109 | | Start Date: Jul 22, 2006 | Last Update:
Nov 15, 2009
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| | Description: Thoughts and Times
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| MY NURSING STORY | | I was going to enter this in the article contest but I am not much of a writer.... so I will post it here
I sold my insurance agency Dec of 03. After 4 months of settling the new owner in. I started looking at my options. If I didn’t have health insurance my profits would be eaten up to quickly. My Husband and I are older I was 45 and he was 50 it is really hard to find affordable Health insurance. I knew I wanted to go into nursing so I started at local nursing home in May of 2004 as a NA-R, I needed health benefits and they had a full time opening on the NOC shift. I do not sleep well at night so I thought it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try. NA-R is very hard work. I knew that my body would not tolerate this for long. I enjoyed the residents and liked this kind of work.
I started the LPN program in Aug of 2004. My hubby was not happy about me wanting to go to college. He thought it was too much for me to handle. I had signed up and promised I wouldn’t go if he said no… I missed the 1st week of school because he couldn’t make up his mind, Monday morning I told him that he better tell me if I could go or not and he wouldn’t say anything so I took that as a yes and went to college…. I went to my 1st class and it was Nursing 1 the instructor took attendance and afterwards she asked me to pick up my books and step out into the hall she said that I couldn’t start a week late that they have already taken a test and I missed the lecture. So I didn’t say a word and went to the councilors’ office and asked if there ANY of the programs in this college that the student guide didn’t applied to. He said no, so I turned right around and went back to the class. Sat down asked if I could have the power point. And she handed it to me. After the lecture she said I would need to take the test tomorrow. I said fine. I took the 1st test and the second test on the same day… I failed the first test because they take 10% off for taking it late. I got an 80% (a C ) on the second one. So I just plugged away… continued on.
At Midterm my instructor pulled me aside and told me I was at a high D… I asked her if she was kicking me out. She said no because I had perfect attendance. I told her that it’s not over until the fat ladies sings and this fat lady hasn’t sung yet!!! I paid for this and I was going to go to the end even if I failed it… I would just take it over if I had to.
Working night was tough !! Because it was so easy to fall asleep in class. I started bring lots of goodies to class. Granola bars. Fruit, chips. Bottles of water. … And I would share them with the students around me if I dosed off they would fill in my notes… they thought I was crazy but they respected me. (Some of the students worked part time in the same nursing home that I did) at the end of the semester I had a B in that class. I studied my butt off. I got a 98% on the final.
The second semester I took 3 classes online A&P II, Psycho social, & Med terminology that helped with the sleep issue. I could do them on my own time.
Our school has open enrollment and I took 18- 21 credits a semester I graduated with a 3.5 GPA in three semesters partly because when I was a student there 27 years ago I was a straight A at that time. I believe during the LPN I had a 3.0
I continued taking my Co required re- req. classed so that my work load would be lighter later in the RN program. I worked 5 nights a week as the Charge nurse on the night shift. And 3 day shifts. I was accepted into the part time program. So my RN program was 3 semesters long. I only had the core classes left…. Thank God. Those classes were the hardest classes I have ever had.
Organization was one of the keys to my success I bought a large day planner. Everything about school and personal life was in it. I knew when my test s were and when projects were due. If future papers were on the agenda I kept a list of ideas or things I would like to research. I always kept in mind what my future practice would entail. (geriatrics) It was the hardest thing I have ever done. I had many struggles though it
I worked for local nursing home full time. I work 10 shifts per 2week period. And usually work 1 to 2 - 12 hour shifts if someone called in. I graduated with a 3.12 I didn’t get any time off. With school and work it was 12 days straight until my weekend off. I told the “kids” that this is just a short Blip in my life and I will get through it. I graduated in May of 2007. Took the Nclex the same day my 1st granddaughter was born…(I knew she was in labor but she and my husband did not want me to postpone it) well I took the test and made it back to my daughters side to have my hand in on the delivery. (Another story some day.) I found I had passed the NCLEX.
That’s my story.... Yes keep going don't stop... it is so easy to let life get in the way. And you know what… what other people think is unimportant. The rewards are great. I finally have job satisfaction!! | | Christmas Lights./deer hunting... | | Unbelievable!!! I actually put up Christmas lights....Dave's hunting party got 6 deer yesterday.... DH shot a 10 point Buck with the most amazing rack I have ever seen. Must be from eating the soybeans.
Dave said the DNR told them that if the hunters don't take enough around here they are bringing in sharp shooters. as there is an over population.
Went to take care of my Grandaughter in the AM yesterday, DD went to the urgent care to get a Dr note as she had a temp of 101, and a horrible cough. (at work if you call in on a weekend you have to make up the next weekend IF you don't have Dr note.)
Soooo to day I have mountains of laundry to do. My son has been staying with us during the week, he is laid off but he has to work his bees... shook down and ship 3 semis of hives to California (the bees pollinate the almond groves) and this week he starts extracting Honey. this year he had 1600 hives. he started doing bees when he was 16, the first year he made 3000 on 20 hives, he has been investing all his profits back each year. and doubling the amount of hives. he is now 23 years old. and is partnered with his Father-in-law. who pays him to do his bees now. Ryan said he & his hired man, shook down about 4000 hives.
His wife is just finishing her Bachelors degree in music is 20, she graduated from the local community college and High school at the same time. they live in Fargo ND, about 2 hours away. They will be moving home this spring.
Time to start another Load of laundry. | | My Internet friend. | | Commenter: Kolohe99 Global warming manifests itself in your neighborhood and you're thrilled. Sure, it's all about you......... 
If you get tired of me teasing you just let me know. I've only had one Norwegian friend before; an exchange student in '75-'76. Her name was Tove.
Hvordan har du det? The only other phrase I learned from her was "How's your love life", but I won't use that one...... I'm afraid you might tell me. 
Indian Summer is a natural phenomenon that happens almost every year..... tho be it short most of the time... Don't stop with the comments you make me laugh.
the closes thing to speaking Norwegian is my accent. Ya sure you betcha.... LOL | | whoo hooo.... Still indian summer!! | | | The "weather" were expecting turned into a 12 hour drizzle that has now cleared. DH is now out hunting again with my Cousins they had been skunked so far the they Wanted to hunt on the " promised Land" My Moms Friend. (her companion another topic to post on another day) owns massive amounts of posted land that he lets DH hunt and will let him bring a friend or family if he is with. I Reminded him that the Freezers are full....all 3 of them..... I am going to put up my christmas lights today... while it still nice.... | | Indian Summer!!!! | | The Last 10 days have been marvelous!!! this AM the temp was 52 degrees at 6AM DH has gotten so much done. we have cleaned up stuff that always has to wait Due to snow in October.
Yesterday we were able to roof the barn and today my Son is loading all the scrap metal and bringing it in to the salvage yard..... He told me that we wouldn't get paid much for it cuz it is poor quality... I told him that i would offer to pay them if THEY take it....LOL He and his dad got the Wood Room filled. in the basement. every thing has been stored and my gardens have been put to bed for the winter. Usually this time of year we have a foot of snow and using the 4-wheel drives.
Deer hunting has been successful Hubby has gotten 2 and they are Processed and in the freezer. and the Haunches are at the smokers being made in to dryed beef... Well its dryed Venison... but tastes like dryed beef. I made a couple batches of Beef Jerky... Out of venison... um um.
We are from the OLD school. we have 3 freezers (the chest type) and in them I have a 1/2 of Beef. 1/2 a hog, (pork), 2 deer, 30 home grown chickens, Lots of Frozen strawberrys and raspberries from our garden. (we will make in to Jam one of these nights. I have gunnie sacks of potatoes, squash, onions in the cold storage.
I know we can't eat it all but the Kids come and get stuff. it nice that we can help them out.
Friday we are expecting some "weather" But we are ready for it. | | hereditary | | | I have a Triple A.... my dad had one as well. they won't be operating until becomes 3cm today I was informed that one of my cousins was in surgery for a triple A ... today. I should have gotten the word out to them to have it checked... I have been pestering my sisters.... I never thought to mention it to my cousins. | | Snow Birds. | | Commenter: Kolohe99 I enjoy coffee too!
Has the annual migration of Minnesnowtans started? I saw yet another Minnesota license plate in the motel parking lot last week.
I know they are Packing!!! there are always some Early Birds....we are in Indian summer right now... Balmy Days with Leave with brilliant Hues. We are racing around getting everything winterized and ready for the those 20-30 degree below zero....nights.
| | My Love Affair:) | | I have a love affair with coffee. I tried to quit one time. But the Headache that came with was just to much... I hardly ever drink, never have smoked, don't swear.... much. LOL. well some time the occasion warrants it.
I was telling this to my NP and she said.... you will love it....."why in the world would you quit now. coffee is a natural Diuretic."
So am savoring my morning coffee these days, My Daughter bought me a mug that says "Caffeine is currently at a non therapeutic level approach with caution" I have it at work. it get lots of comments. Norwegians around here really love there coffie. | | Random thing #27 | | Today I was in Kmart and I found my Pental Wow Pens. They not only had my Black pens the had a Variety pack. Black, red, purple, blue and green. It felt so good I bought a pack of black and the variety pack. they have not had any at Walmart for a couple of months. My supply was getting low. | | 25 degrees, and snow!!!! | | Temp dipped to 25 degrees, and stayed that way.. so tomorrow I will be putting my pond away. I need to pull the pumps and scoop out the leaves.
it looks like it will be a very long winter!! |
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