Did you guys know I have a blog? Yeah, I had forgotten too!
I can't even begin to update what has happened since my last blog - I had just gotten my first nursing job! I'll do my best to catch you up to speed:
Job Update
I started my job in early March, and transitioned to night shift in April. I would have never guessed how much I would enjoy working night shift. While I don't anticipate this will be a long term career location, it's been wonderful. The ladies I work with at night are absolutely the best - funny, caring, smart, and willing to help this newbie when she has that panicked look on her face! I am convinced that having great coworkers makes a difference in how we feel about our jobs.
The only downside to my job is the drive - it's anywhere from 40-50 minutes from my house. I'll be honest - I'm tired of the commute! After driving 60 minutes to nursing school 5 days per week for 15 months, and now working out of town, my poor Jetta is taking a beating! However, we are quite the road warriors - me and my faithful car!
About a month ago I had the opportunity to interview for a position at a hospital that is 7 minutes away from my house. Did you get that? SEVEN MINUTES. And - it's brand new, and therefore BEAUTIFUL. I would love to work at this facility. Now, I'm just waiting to hear if I will be given the opportunity. Do it Lord!
Working in healthcare is stressful and can be exhausting at times (physically, mentally, and emotionally). However, there have been some very funny moments. I'll spare you a lot of the details, but one funny story involves a patient asking me if I could provide him an "excuse note" for the courts - as he was past due reporting to JAIL. Yep, he had missed his day to report for mandatory incarceration. And there he was, in front of me, asking for a note. That was a first!! Sadly, there are other stories that involve all varieties of bodily functions that would only be funny to those of use brave enough to work at the bedside of patients in the hospital. Hey - I have to laugh about these things - or I would probably cry!! Ha ha!
While this job, at times, isn't what I expected AT ALL, I really do enjoy working as a nurse. I am absolutely convinced that my destiny is Mom's and babies - but this first job has been a great launching point for me.
Transformation 2011
At the beginning of this year, I felt God prompting me to focus on the idea of transformation. You can read here about hearing that focus for 2011. I have transformed in ways I never thought possible in January!! The biggest (and most surprising) transformation this year has been my physical health and wellness. While I am by no means finished in this journey, I have lost about 35 pounds since graduating from nursing school. WOW!!! It has been (and continues to be) a roller-coaster, but I feel better than I ever have.
Jlogging
Currently I am not on the jloggy train, but I hope to be back in action soon. Right now, my Dad and I are really enjoying our bikes we got last year. We rode in a 25-mile bike event in September across the country side near the hospital where I work. It was considered a "fun ride" of sorts - that was until I noticed that we were close to completing the ride in under 2 hours! Then my competitive streak came out with a vengeance and I made my Dad STEP ON IT. I'm proud to say we completed 27 miles in 1 hour and 56 minutes. (Yes, the organizers of the ride added on 2 extra miles. Wasn't that darling of them? My knees thanked them.) I hope to keep everyone updated on my jloggy and biking progress. They have been critical in my weight loss!
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Well, I can't really think of anything else to update ya'll on at this moment. I'm sure it will come later. In the mean time, I'll leave you with my mug - minus 35 pounds!!
Lookin' good!
