Nelle's Notes

I had my first real world interview today.
It is crazy to think that I am interviewing for something I have dreamed about doing for such a long time.
I'm suppose to be a nurse and the interview I had today was just for that.
I interviewed for a position in the Cardiac ICU.
I am determined.
Dedicated.
And... passionately pursuing what I have been called to do.

I thank the Lord for what He has done so far and what He is continuing to do. My journey is far from over and I am looking forward to each day that I learn and grow.

Graduation is just a few short weeks away. The thought of that is so very exciting. However, there is much to do before that grand day. Exams, ATIs, reading page after page of material for nursing classes, soaking in the last hours of my final clinicals, and just living life. I am still going strong for the 10k that will be in May and I am enjoying building a community from the local church that I have been attending since December.

Each day I choose to wake up and make TODAY a great day. I will continue to persevere and not quit. This can be done. So close... I am so close.

Today was a very exciting day in my nursing world!
I passed two exams.
Two very difficult exams in which the Lord got me through and allowed me to pass!
Now we are on to the next exam and prepping for that final goal: NCLEX

I can do this. Believe. Trust.

As soon as I blinked it was March. January and February are both gone for forever for the year of 2011. Can you believe that we are at that point where we are halfway through a semester of school (my last semester) and looking forward to bigger and better things!? These past few weeks have been crazy in school.

This is my routine for school.
I wake up.
Drive to school.
Go to class.
Review for ATIs.
Take an ATI.
Prep for Critical Care.
Take a Critical Care exam.
Lecture.
Done with classes.
Drive back home.
Start studying for the test I have the following week.
Every Tuesday. This is my schedule.

Somehow I have squeezed in running aka prepping for a 10K that I will be running in Colorado with my best friend. I am almost enjoying awesome clinicals and an externship that I love. Overall, life is crazy, but I still am enjoying it.

I enjoy that when I am here away from school it is so positive and so encouraging (Did I just sound like K-Love the radio station?). I enjoy when I am at my place it is relaxing and I can be focused on my homework and gain restful sleep.

I.am.almost.done.


I.CAN.DO.THIS!

Today is Valentines Day.
Are you sharing it with the people you love?
I feel like this is a holiday that can be celebrated on everyday.
So why don't we do just that?
Why don't we tell the ones we love "I love you" more...
Why don't we show the ones we love that we love them more...
Speak words of encouragement...
Joy...
Patience...

Love someone today and everyday...
Love them BIG
REAL BIG!!!

Since this is the "Love Month", I thought it would be fun to showcase some creative ideas for that special someone in your life.

I don't know what there is not to LOVE about this watch. Its creative and quirky for that special artsy friend.

Or how about that vintage turned modern friend who is in the health care world? Wouldn't this be great to have in a bathroom or a hallway for emergencies? I know I would enjoy this fun first-aid kit.

What about that business minded friend who just needs a little boost of creativity? This book is loaded with great ideas for the freelance business man or woman!

Finally, for that friend who loves old photos (particularly polaroids), you can get him or her these awesome polaroid frames that hang on your wall. I mean, since they don't make polaroid film anymore, you can make instant photos from these frames!

How to get to work when you are a Nurse
So as I am getting ready to graduate in May, it is important to have a plan of action when there are 12 inches of snow on the ground and your car is stuck.

I mean, nurses still have to work. Doctors still have to work. If you work at a hospital at all, you still have to work. So my roommate is trying to figure out how to get to work tonight. And of course... we can not get our cars out of the snow.

Here are the facts...

1. It is important to invest in a shovel (Especially when you don't have one and your car is covered in snow)
2. Snow drifts are not your friend unless you are a sled
3. The temperature outside would be a beneficiary. However, when there are a 12 inches of snow on the ground it is slightly difficult for snow to melt.


*UPDATE*
Jena and I just spent the last hour and a half shoveling the two feet drift of snow from behind her car. We started with our hands (because we do not own a shovel). Then one of our dear friends let us borrow their shovel. So we used that along with some racquetball rackets I had in the back of my car. We shoveled. We scooped. We pushed snow. Finally...

WE WERE FREE!

We drove the car (well Jena did) passed the four wheel drive trucks, passed the two year old who was in the practically in the middle of the road (no worries... we did not hit the child), and passed the entrance gates to freedom. Of course we walked back on 81st street from QT. It was awesome. We were not going to let a little snow stop us from accomplishing what we went out for. Woohoo!

What a great day!