Nurse Resident Orientation Day Three (Nashville Tennessee)

Today was day three.
I'm learning a ton, but I'm finding I know a lot as well.
I recognize some things, and others seem past my understanding.
But mostly I'm learning,
and I'm soaking it all up like a sponge.
I'm meeting new people--I can tell they're good people.
We're in for the long haul together.
I'm grateful for them.
I caught myself losing interest today,
like I'd decided that I was too good for orientation.
For wounds and ostomies
For the professionals that prepared their presentations.
For my peers surrounding me in that old gym.
And I corrected myself.
Thank Goodness.
This is the good thing about nursing:
There is always more to learn.
I have potential, and that potential continues to grow.
This opportunity is Gold.
I have the chance to work among the best,
to learn from the best,
to become like the best.
They really want me to succeed,
and I really want them to see that happen.
Just like BYU prepared me for this moment,
Vanderbilt will prepare me for the next.
There are no limits.
Only possibilities. 

The NCLEX: #MostEmbarrassingMoment

On Groundhog's Day, Kendra and I took the NCLEX. It's the nursing exam of death. An exam like nothing else we've taken before. We studied daily for months with the exception of Sundays. The night before the exam, we stayed the night at Kendra's place. And lets just say I broke the ice. Im pretty sure it was my most embarrassing moment yet. It went a little something like this:

After arriving at Kendra's house I went upstairs to change into my jammies and out of my church clothes. It was late, and I was tired and nervous and uncomfortable. As I walked down her steep staircase I found myself flying and shrieking and really quite surprised -- and still in this very moment I don't know how I flew-- but I had a rough landing. My rump hit one step, two steps, three steps-- I flew again and lost track of the steps as I skidded to a stop. The world slowed for a split second as I caught my breath. Kendra ran around the corner to see the sight-- and we both busted up, doubled over in laughter. 

Or in Kendra's words:

"I waited anxiously for Jessie to join me downstairs so we could snuggle together in our comfy pajamas. Out of nowhere I suddenly heard a shriek and pounding like a herd of elephants coming down the stairs. I whipped my head towards the sound  just in time to see Jessie hit the last couple of stairs while suspended in a semi-fowlers position. Of course the polite thing to do to a guest would be to make sure she was okay while helping her up and trying to alleviate the awkwardness. But I, being the thoughtful caring person I am, ran over and fell on the stairs next to her laughing hysterically with little regard to her emotional or physical condition. These are the events that will ever be remembered as preceding the dreaded day of our NCLEX exam."

And we both passed. 

We're both Registered Nurses now!