RN Job Description

Today I attended an 8 hour Magnet meeting / conference where we were given this job description:

The following job description was given to floor nurses by a hospital in 1887

In addition to caring for your 50 patients, each nurse will follow these regulations:

1.  Daily sweep and mop the floors of your ward, dust the patient's furniture and window sills.

2.  Maintain an even temperature in your ward by bringing in a scuttle of coal for the day's business.

3.  Light is important to observe the patient's condition.  Therefore, each day fill kerosene lamps, clean chimneys and trim wicks.  Wash the windows once a week.

4.  The nurse's notes are important in aiding the physicians work.  Make your pens carefully; you may whittle nibs to your individual taste.

5.  Each nurse on day duty will report every day at 7 a.m. and leave at 8 p.m. except on the Sabbath on which day you will will be off from 12 noon to 2 p.m.

6.  Graduate nurses in good standing with the director of nurses will be given an evening off each week for courting purposes or two evenings a week if you go regularly to church.

7.  Each nurse should lay aside from each pay day a goodly sum of her earnings for her benefits during her declining years so that she will not become a burden.  For example, if you earn $30 a month you should set aside $15.

8.  Any nurse who smokes, uses liquor in any form, gets her hair done at a beauty shop, or frequents dance halls will give the Director of Nurses good reason to suspect her worth, intentions and integrity.

9.  The nurse who performs her labors and serves her patients and doctors without fault for five years will be given an increase of five cents a day, providing there are no hospital debts outstanding.

Oh my, how far we've come!  I'm not sure I would have been able to fulfill these job requirements....
Debbie

BSN ~ RN Pinning

I graduated!

It is finally real!

I did it.

I worked hard and accomplished this goal.

I finished my BSN 

(well really I finished in December but we just had graduation and our RN pinning)

I have a bachelorette degree.

It was nice to finally have the pinning ceremony.

The school only does one a year where they honor 3 nursing cohorts (summer semester, fall and spring semester grads all at the same time.) plus a few others who still needed to finish a few classes.

Not all of my classmates attended but for those that did it was a wonderful time of recognition.

Speeches were given.

The president of the university was there.

Most of our professors were in attendance.

We each got acknowledged and received our pins.

And thank goodness we didn't have to wear one of those old nursing hats!

It was a really good day and I for one am glad that I attended.

This is our director of nursing ~ Dr.Mary Wickman

She used to work on our postpartum floor so I have known her for many years.

She went on to get her doctorate and know runs the program ~ yet she is still so down to earth and easy to talk to.

 A few of my good friends ~ Walter, Me, Sandy and Shelley

Mike, Walter and myself

(Walter gave the speech for our cohort...thank goodness...otherwise it would of been me! Though I did lead the Florence Nightingale pledge for the graduating nurses).

Most of my cohort.

L to R - Alex, Akemy, Sylvia, Dana, Shelley, Mike, Sandy, Me, Lyra, Walter and Thuy.

We spent two years of our life together.

We supported each other when we felt like quitting and we made life long friendships.

Every works in different hospitals and has different specialities but that made the learning all the better for we learned from each others experiences and expertise.

 My actual pin - I love it!

We also got this Florence Nightingale lamp.  

It's a nice little memento of our time spent at Vanguard.

If you want to watch my presentation here it is - click on it. :)

Remember to silence the playlist down below.

Such a fun event

Now I need to decide if I want to go back for my MSN or totally switch gears.

For right now I'm just going to relish in being free of homework!

Debbie

Busy or Too Old

I came home from my little mini vacation to a busy, busy work mode.

It is only May but the days that I have been scheduled have been sort of crazy...it makes me nervous for the summer months which tend to be busy in the baby world!
I've worked days where I don't get a break until 3:00 in the afternoon...one day I didn't get a break / lunch until 5pm.  Our unit isn't one where you can just say "Oh, wait - stop delivering while I go eat".

So I've been coming home a bit exhausted.

And not only that but it seems that I have been involved in some really scary deliveries lately...so much so that I find myself wondering if it is time for me to move on.  Time for me to find something else to do.  Time for me to retire (though I really can't do that for I'm too young and need to work for the $$).  Maybe I will get a master's in library science and go work at my local library since I love reading so much!

Today I lounged around.  I must be getting old since it takes me a full day to recover after a couple of hectic days on the unit.  UGH!

But on a better note.  We got our long term benefit / choices for our department.  We can choose things such as no floating (which we rarely do anyways),  working fewer weekend days, etc.  Since I have been at the hospital for 25 years I could also choose to only work one summer holiday...so that is what I'm going to do - and I chose that holiday to be Memorial Day (since I don't do anything different or celebrate that day in any way).  Which means I get Mother's day, Father's day and 4th of July off!  Guess there is some benefit to longevity!!
Debbie

Holiday Working

Oh the joys of being a nurse...getting to work the whole weekend when everyone else is celebrating the Easter holiday.
It was fairly steady today and I am in charge tomorrow so I'll be there all day.
You know babies are born on holidays too.

I did not boil nor color any eggs.
I did not buy any Easter candy.
I did not get a basket for any one.
Nor did I decorate the house for the holiday (since my home is full of wedding / shower gifts at the moment)

I'll just go to work like any other day.
And hope that some one brings me a good meal :)
Then go visit my family tomorrow night (my sister and her children arrived today!)
I really don't mind that much - it is part of being a nurse.
(I will miss watching the little ones have their Easter egg hunt.....)

Hope you have a good Easter though - and remember that the real reason we have the holiday is because Jesus has risen!
Debbie

Thanks from a Patient

Today a patient that I had previously taken care of brought me these cool little mugs.

The one on the left is actually a tea infuser (with a holder in it for tea) and the Tinkerbell one will keep a nice cup of coffee warm~

The patient also brought the staff a huge tray of homemade taquitos and guacamole.  Yum!
She just wanted to say thank you.

She is so sweet and we had bonded the day that I took care of her but I never expected any gifts from her.  Some patients you bond with more than others and she just happened to be one of them...yet, I never expected gifts.

She was the one that was hurting.
She was the one who needed care.
She was the experiencing a life changing event.
She was the one who had lost her little girl...
All I did was give her the care that I would hope someone would give my family member during a time of crisis...yet she turned it all around to share a piece of herself and make the staff feel treasured.

She had come in with the complaint of not feeling her baby move.
I so remember trying to find her babies heart beat...to no avail...
I remember the room and the time of day...so does she...
I quickly took down a health history and took some vital signs, then told her that I would wait to do all of the paperwork later for I wanted to talk to the doctor and get an ultrasound ordered so that we could find out what was going on...though we both knew it was bad news.

I left the room, talked to the doctor, got the orders I needed and went back to her.  I needed to get her admitted and get all of her orders in the computer.
With tears in her eyes she said, "please listen one more time...try to find her heartbeat, please."

So, I did.  I put the rest of my tasks on hold and just took care of her.  Did what she needed me to do.
I still couldn't find any heart tones, and I quietly took off the monitor, saying, "I'm sorry, but I don't hear anything".  I went on to finish all of my admission and finished all the tasks that needed to be done.

I later did her delivery and got to see her precious little girl who had already flown in to the arms of Jesus.  I took photos and gathered mementos for her and shed a tear or two with her.  There was just something about her.  She touched me in a way that not all patients do.  I deal with patients just like her all of the time...but something about her got to me that day.  I had never met her before, could probably have just walked away that day and put it all behind me and moved on to the next case.  But she got to me.

I went to visit her the next day and she thanked for me providing her with compassionate care during a horrible moment.  She said that it meant so much to her that I took the time to check that second time for a heart beat.  She said, "I knew she was gone, You knew she was gone, But you did what I needed you to do, and for that I thank you"

We were able to reconnect today when she came to the hospital to visit.  I'm not sure that I could have gone back that soon after a loss but she wanted to see all of us.  She wanted to bring us gifts and say thanks in a tangible way.

She told me that I am like family now and wants to meet again.  I'm sure we will.
It's not that often that you connect with another person in such a way.  We will see each other again and probably become good friends.

It's not often that nurses get any thanks from patients...but I did from this one...and she reconfirmed for me why I do the job that I do.
Debbie

Top Nursing Blog

My blog was recently voted one of the Top 50 nursing blogs

I always find it an honor to have my blog recognized...really, someone actually reads this thing??

I started my blog as a way to keep my family updated on my life and the lives of my children and over time it has grown in to more than that.

I have met new people through this blog and have been able to promote nursing and mostly I have been able to tell people about one of my biggest passions...perinatal comfort care.

I believe all women should have access to support when they find out that their pregnancy may not end as they have dreamed.
I am glad that programs are developing and people are recognizing the need for programs.

Therefore, I will keep on blogging.

(and hoping that people read my random postings)

Debbie

Growing My Own

There is a common saying in nursing that you cannot retire or quit until you "grow your own".

It would be nice if your own daughter, niece, or granddaughter would choose to go in to nursing.

In that way the profession does not die out and you have generations of nurses in one family...

So the other day, Lily was supposed to be practicing her letters.

When we looked this is what she had drawn:

When I asked what it was she told me it was a heart beat.  Duh!!

Now, I've never taught her this so I was surprised that she actually drew it and it is a pretty good rendering of an EKG.

Of course, I got all excited and told her that I thought she could grow up to be a nurse.

If she already draws such good heart rate rhythms then she could be an ICU nurse or 

even a flight nurse.

I told her that I always wanted to be a flight nurse so maybe she would like that.

How exciting would that be?!?!?

Her response to me:

"NO Lita! I want to be the carpet in the Aladdin show!"

 So much for growing my own.

Guess her gymnastic lessons will be put to good use....

Debbie

What am I Doing?

I became a labor and delivery nurse because I like these:

And love these:

I wanted to be able to care for women in labor and hopefully provide them with the best possible delivery.  I wanted to see new life and watch families get off to the best start.

Lately though, I have begun to wonder what I am doing.

Am I really doing what I am passionate about?

Am I making a difference?

More and more of my time is spent nursing one of these:

I spend more and more of my time time on the computer.

It has to do with "meaningful use" and electronic medical records.

It has to do with Medicare / Medicaid payments.

Hospitals are being forced to transition to computerized documentation and physician order entry.

If hospitals do not go to computerized charting then they risk loosing tons of money and potentially being forced to close their doors.

Yet, I am not liking all of these changes.

I honestly see so many more mistakes now then what I used to see.

And I feel as if I do not have the time to actually take care of my patients anymore.

All because I have to spend so much time on a computer....

Now don't get me wrong.  I like technology.

I have a facebook account, a blog, and I love making power point presentations.

I have a MAC computer and a PC.

I check my email every day.

I have a smart phone.

I am not against technology.

I think it is quite useful in caring for patients on the most part.

It is easier to diagnose things when you can see inside the body by using technology.

And I want to know how my patients babies are tolerating labor (though I do prefer intermittent fetal heart monitoring as long as the baby is ok rather than continuous monitoring)

I'm not against using technology to care for my patients....

But I really want to be with my patient...not sitting in front of a computer.

I want to be able to talk to my patient.

I want to be able to provide emotional support.

I want to provide a moment that they will remember.

I want to be hands on.

I want to provide that human touch.

I want to get back to the bedside.

But, I know the computer isn't going away...

I wish I had a secretary to follow me around and do all of my documentation for me.

Wish we could go back to the way it used to be.

I find myself wanting to throw this thing out the window!

And I go home more frustrated each day.
I went in to nursing to take care of humans...if I had wanted to take care of computers I would have gone in to IT....

Debbie

Need a Day Off

Whew - this has been a crazy week...I knew going in to it that it was going to be a tough one.  But, I didn't expect the baby factory to be exploding!!

I worked Monday and Tuesday...I don't think that I sat down for more than 5 minutes at a time...there were just so many babies!

Wednesday I attended the Orange Co. Women's and Children's Palliative Care Conference at UCI medical center.  It was a good day of learning and networking with other professionals in the area who want to care for sick and often dying infants.  I found that so many of the things we already do...we even talked about holding our own conference...
For some reason, I come home more tired after sitting all day in an auditorium than I do when running around the unit for 12 hours.  I wonder why that is?

I worked again today ~ Still busy... and I was so frustrated this morning that I wasn't able to assist a baby out vaginally...we tried for something like 3 hours, only to have the mommy end up in the c/section room.  I felt like such a failure and was so frustrated that things just weren't happening despite my best and most creative interventions.  Once I saw the baby though...and realized that she was not presenting in the normal fashion, I felt a bit better.  Babies are supposed to face the mom's back side - not face upwards...and this one just didn't fit.  Thankfully mom and baby were healthy and the parents were just glad to finally be holding their infant.
The rest of the day just continued to fall apart...with lots of patients and frustrating moments...

So, I am home tonight ~ anxious to rest and sleep in tomorrow morning.  I need a break! Next week is looking to be just as busy so I will take the day and catch up.  Sometimes I wonder how I ever fit school and homework in to the midst of this craziness!!
Tired me~
Debbie

Caring while in Church

I was listening to our pastor preach today.
He was just starting to say something about the sanctity of human life...
When out of the corner of my eye I saw an elderly gentlemen on the other side of church, stand up and start to head to the back of the church.
The man behind him also stood up with him.

The nurse in me saw that something wasn't right and he looked as if he wasn't feeling well....so I headed his way.  As I got to him he was headed down so we assisted him to the floor at the back of the church.  (we never made it out of the church)

I assessed him, and another nurse as well as a police office joined me.
He never did loose consciousness though he was faint, pale, and his skin was cool and clammy.

I didn't really do a whole lot, just reassured him until paramedics arrived, checked his pulse and kept him as comfortable as I could.
 Oh and I took off my sweater to make him a pillow (that was probably the biggest nursing thing I did for him!)

Our pastor finished up his sermon - though I didn't hear another word he said for I was in a different place even though I was still in the same room.  I needed to concentrate on what was at hand and make a plan if I needed to react or provide any type of advanced care.  Could I do CPR if I needed to?  Would I know what to do to keep him safe?  I deliver babies...but 80 year old men are a different type of patient....could I care for him?

I was surprised how the nurse in me just kicks in.  I wasn't nervous...I'd say I was focused and just cared for him as I needed to.

Things remained calm and help arrived.

It was good for me to see our emergency supply kit...to know where it is and to know that we have an airway and AED if I were to need it.

I was just glad I was there at the right time...
My pastor thanked me as did the elderly gentleman's wife.  But, like I said...I didn't really do much.  Guess it just reassures people to know that someone could help if that help were needed.  It was an interesting morning.  Never thought I'd be providing care while in church ~
Debbie

Opening Soon!

Last night I got to take a sneak peak at our new mother baby unit at a special ribbon cutting ceremony.
The unit is not quite open but it will be soon~
It is beautiful!!

And I must admit ~ I am a bit jealous that our unit isn't as new and updated, yet I am so excited for the nurses that do work there.   The patients are going to love it too.
There will be 30 some private rooms
State of the art equipment
A NICU on the same floor (the sickest babies will still get transferred next door though).
Plus - the plan is to make all of our antepartum rooms private since the opening of this unit is going to increase our bed capacity.

I can't wait to start transferring patients to the new unit.

Nurses station

Part of the nursery (babies mostly room in with their parents but on an occasion a mom may want a nap and this is a safe place for someone to keep an eye on the baby). And it is super cute.  Even has decorative ceiling tiles.

The unit color scheme is warm and relaxing

Here's a sample of a room all set up and ready to welcome it's first family (though it looks like some of us were already sitting on the bed - oops!)

The rooms have a special sink for the baby's first bath.  Our babies do not get bathed until they are a few hours old.  This helps them to stay warmer.  The bathing area in each room will allow for the parents to be more involved with this special ritual.

Spa like showers.

The best part - dedicated, caring staff who want to make each birth special

 The nurses are not only smart, with good clinical skills...they are fun too!

I'm so glad that our women's services department is getting some upgrading.  I'm sure the patients will appreciate the extra attention as they choose to deliver with us.  Such exciting times!
Debbie

Decision Made

It took me awhile to make my decision regarding the adjunct teaching position at Cal Baptist University.  It was something that I really wanted and I felt that I would like it and it would be a new challenge.  The fact that they came to me gave me a stroke of confidence and I felt somewhat empowered to dive right in and try it out.

I like higher education.

I was excited to think that I could work with students and share my knowledge.

But...

I spent 7 out of 8 days at the hospital between my crazy work schedule, meetings and working an extra shift....so I was starting to feel tired and in need of a day off.

One of my daughter's bridesmaids called me to ask about scheduling in a shower for Erika....and I struggled to find a free day...

Dear hubby called to ask about what day we could schedule our tax appointment for this year and I only had 2 or 3 free days in February.

I am already scheduled for many Tuesdays so would need to switch all of those days around to get the day off to add in this new job.

My stress level started to go up...I could feel it and I thought, "What the heck am I even thinking of taking on something extra right now?"

Yes, the extra money would have been nice...but "do I really need to add on a third job right now with the wedding coming and all?"

So ~ I decided to turn down the position for this semester.  The semester starts next Tuesday and I felt it was just too much.

I really feel like I need a bit of a break from the crazy past couple of years of going to school and working.

I want to research master's programs.

I want to get my house in order (yes, the finishing touches are still not done from our remodel...it's been a year).

I want to enjoy the wedding planning.

I want to go to the PLIDA (Pregnancy Loss Infant Death Alliance) conference in April.

I want to concentrate on my current positions.

I am a little bummed.  I feel a little disappointed that I couldn't take on another thing. 

The position was something I know that I would have liked.  I feel bad for saying "No".  

Yet, I do feel like I made the right decision.  It just is not the right time in my life.  I'm not saying no to teaching in the future...just not this semester.  I could hear the disappointment in the director's voice when I said "No"...but she understood my reasons (I think).

They reassured me that fall semester is just around the corner and asked if I'd consider them then...so there is always that opportunity...I'm just going to have to sit tight and wait until the timing is right.

I know the best job for me will come along.

It is weird...I feel a little directionless right now.  I already miss school and the friends I made there.  I'm not sure what I want to do for the rest of my career.  I want to make a difference and do something worthwhile.  Guess I'm feeling a little restless and just trying to figure 'me' out.  (don't you think I'd have already done that at my age??)

On a brighter note ~ as I'm sitting here feeling a little bummed about my decision ~ My new business cards came in.  We have a new logo and new colors to go with that logo...and I added some letters behind my name.  I like the new cards. They are brighter and make me feel better.

Debbie

Decisions, Decisions

I have to decide what to do... I didn't search this out, rather it came to me.
I never went on line looking for another job, nor did I contact the staff to inquire about positions.

And now I'm having a tough time deciding what to do...

Staff from Cal Baptist University have asked me to come on as an adjunct professor to teach clinicals for obstetrics.
I am honored, and it is something that I would probably really like doing, yet I can't decided whether to take the job or not.
It is only one day a week - an extra 12 hour shift.

Yes, I'd love to share my knowledge and help grow new nurses.
I sort of think that I want to teach in the future...and this would be a good way to find out if I even like teaching.

It would be different from actually working on the unit for the students would be assigned to a nurse and I'd just be overseeing them and being sure they are learning what they need to learn.  So in a way it would be less stress (once I got familiar with the unit).

I keep thinking that I went back to school for a reason.  I furthered my own education for some reason ~ right?  Maybe this is God's way of saying that He wants to use me in another role.
I love higher education.
I love the stimulation of being on a campus and learning new things.
I didn't search out this job...it sort of found me.
I know this universities mission statement would fit in with my own life...

But do I really want to take on another job?
Do I want to have to drive out of my way to go to a different facility?
Could I succeed at this?
UGH!

So I need to put my thoughts in to positives and negatives and try to make a decision for the semester starts in a week.

Positives
They came to me - not the other way around.
I like students.
I like sharing my knowledge.
I like higher education.
It would help me see if I really want to teach in the future and give me a direction for my master's.
It would be extra money (which I could use right now with planning Erika's wedding and all).
I would learn new things as I'd be in a different facility where they may do things differently.
It would look great on a resume'.
It is only a 16 week commitment.  If I hated it I wouldn't have to recommit in the fall.
I like the campus.
I know some of the undergrad students at Cal Baptist.

Negatives
It would tie me down to another job.
It is a bit of a drive (30 minutes at the least).
It is at a different facility that I am not familiar with.
I might hate it.
It means a whole other day of working (when I sort of just wanted time to myself for a change.  Ok that sounds really selfish!).
I'd have to get up early for I'd need to be there before 0630.
I'd have to change my current work schedule around to get every Tuesday off.
I want to travel, plan Erika's wedding and kick back for a moment, you know - take a breather after working so hard the last couple of years going to school and doing all of that homework...not take on another commitment...

Decisions, decisions.
Sometimes I wish someone would just tell me what to do.....
Debbie

Guest Post

no time to blog so I'm letting Kathryn Norcutt from RNnetwork write for me tonight...

From High School into Nursing

Kathryn Norcutt has been an active member of the health care community for over 20 years.  During her time as a nurse, she has helped people from all walks of life and ages. Now, Kathryn leads a much less hectic life and devotes much of her 

free time to writing for RNnetwork, a site specializing in traveling nursing jobs.

Before the medical field exploded with the dawn of newer and more diverse technologies, the choices that a young nursing candidate had were fairly limited.  Nursing in previous generations blanketed the entire healthcare spectrum that today has been broken down into many degrees and certifications.   Fields like physical therapy, anesthesia, cardiac care, emergency room and so forth, are not only specialized but are in high demand.   Something a current high school nursing candidate should really consider when thinking about their future career.   With all of these niche certifications available, a prudent question to ask yourself would be: Do you receive your training and degree through a traditional four-year-college or would it behoove you to reduce the time and expense of college and get started even earlier.   Numerous options abound with healthcare, from flexible schedules, part-time and temporary work to traveling nursing jobs.  The best part? You can begin your journey into the medical field, before you graduate from high school. 

How? Let’s take a look at the steps to get your nursing dreams started.

•        High School: It’s never too early to start looking into your future, even though your fellow classmates are more worried about what they are going to wear for the Friday night football game than what they’ll be doing in ten years, this doesn’t have to be true for you.   You can start working towards that nursing degree while still enrolled in high school.  Get online and search an online program aptly called, “Jump Start” where you can begin earning credit towards your nursing degree as early as your junior year.   Before you start the admissions process, you must sign a “Letter of Intent” and make an appointment with your guidance counselor to discuss your career plans.  Once they determine that you are in fact ready to start they can grant permission for you to begin the nursing courses.  Another critical piece of the nursing admissions equation will be your SAT scores, you must earn a combined total of 1100 (Math and Critical Reading) in order to qualify as well as a 2.7 GPA.  An additional exam is the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills); this will test a prospective nursing school candidate on their knowledge of a variety of subjects.  Among these subjects are; mathematics, science, English and language usage.  If this seems a bit overwhelming, don’t worry, you are already a huge step ahead of the game.  You have completed half the battle and you’re still wearing braces!
•        LPN vs. RN: From this point on, your life will be filled with many acronyms and abbreviations, so you better start getting used to it.  Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN’s) perform basic care and some administrative duties (usually under the supervision of a Registered Nurse). LPN programs generally run 12 months and you can earn your certification through a few different options here; online, community college or technical colleges.  Prospective nursing students can also earn an Associate Degree in nursing (ADN) or a 4-year Bachelor of Science Degree (BSN) through an accredited program.  Courses here would include; chemistry, physiology, anatomy and psychology as well as hands on training through a supervised instructor.  
•        Licensing: ALL students who have completed a hospital nursing program, ADN or BSN degree must pass their state’s licensing requirements.  Those who want to earn their Registered Nursing certifications must pass the NCLEX-RN.  Once you’ve completed these basic requirements don’t forget that the career path of nursing offers many specialized certifications and degrees.  Another option is to look into the American Nurses Association as well as the American Nurses Credentialing Center.  Started in 1991, they have had over 250,000 nurses receive their credentials.   This organization’s creed is defined as “a means of measuring competency and the identification of competent nurses that will promote the public welfare for quality in health care”.  Another echelon of the American Nursing Associations is the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) this would include adult critical care, neonatal and pediatric critical care.   If critical care is not your field of interest, some additional options include specialization certifications in diabetes education, gastroenterology, HIV/AIDS, infectious disease, OB/GYN, pain management and respiratory therapy.  Again, you are not limited by fields or bricks and mortar, even.  Let’s say, you are seeking a career in nursing but are also interested in exploring the world while you are still young and unmarried? Perhaps a career as a traveling nurse would appeal? Imagine doing what you love all while experiencing a different culture and seeing sights of antiquity!  

At the end of the day, looking into the nursing field is one that offers many unique opportunities.  By getting a head start, you can not only earn your certification two years earlier, but also earn a critical foothold into the healthcare industry.  With all the many certifications available, you can easily find that perfect job that gives you not only a varied selection of interesting work but also a respectable purpose in life.  A win-win on all accounts.

Blog Award

My blog was chosen as one of the top 30 nursing blogs of 2012.
The award was given by Best Masters in Nursing
In honoring my blog they said:

"yours was selected as being among 

the most helpful and offering the greatest insight."

Pretty cool!

Check out their site above to read some other really good nurse blogs.

Debbie

Anticlimatic Finish

I am finished ~

 

I can't believe that I am done.

I have worked hard and now have my BSN.

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

It almost seems unreal.

 

This is where I have spent every Tuesday night for the past two years.

I have made new friends and increased my knowledge on my  chosen profession

 

The end of the program was very anticlimatic

I went to class - excited and proud to be done

We had power point presentations to present on our change project.

 

The faculty came in to congratulate us

Then class was over.

It was just over.

I tried to get my cohort to go out and celebrate.

But only two other students wanted to go.

There was no fanfare and life just goes on.

 

We don't get to have our nurses pinning nor walk in cap and gown until May.

So yes, I am finished.

I am excited in my own way - even though I haven't really celebrated.

It is just a wierd anticlimatic end.

But now I can sign my name:

 

Debra Bolton, RNC-OB/EFM, BSN,PHN,CLE