Here we go again
Despite the fact that the intensity of the program is winding down, I feel like I haven’t had any time to really catch my breath. I only finished up my last spring class a week and a half ago (I wanted to finish it up prior to that point, but in all honesty, I will take all the time I’m offered to get something done, so I didn’t turn in the take-home final until the last day). My NCLEX review instructor has been cracking the whip to keep me on schedule. I did take this weekend off as I was out of town, but summer semester started up Tuesday and I need to get working on the reading, etc. for that class. Sigh. I think I’m just getting itchy now that I see the finish line looming only two semesters and eight credits away. Can’t let it get to me, though… need to keep pushing through.
I’m also suffering through my post-vacation funk. I love going away and visiting my friends, but coming home afterwards, no matter how short the trip, is an unwelcome adjustment. I travelled west for the holiday weekend to visit a college friend who also went on to become a nurse. It was great to see her since it had been over a year and a half (and one baby) since our last visit… far too long. Auntie (me) fell in love with the tots. They’re just amazing little creatures and kept me laughing for the duration… even mid-mega-meltdown I was laughing, which gave me hope that perhaps I do have more patience and serenity than I give myself credit for. We got in some shopping, movie-watching, and Wii-playing. Another of our college friends was able to come over for an afternoon with her family. Overall it was a very nice time and it was hard to leave. Next time I’ll have to plan something longer (though probably not long enough for my friend… she’s been trying to convince me to move out there for years).
In good news, I had my official interview for my job last week. Had a nice chat with the educator in charge of the new grad program and met briefly with my manager. I also found out the pay rate for new grads and wowee… I can’t believe this, but I’m actually going to be making more than I was when I left career #1! It makes me feel a lot better about being able to pay off those loans I’m accruing! Now I am just antsy to get the NCLEX stuff through. Our final grades for spring should be in, so I should have the needed paperwork from the school soon. Then I just need to get a photo for my application, send it in, and wait… and continue to study for the NCLEX. I think I’m in the third to last module of the program now and the last two are short.
When I talked with the maternity director I asked her about uniform requirements and she said that they have scrubs there, or we can wear our own, we just can’t wear them in/out, we have to change there. So I ramped up my search for scrubs and found some sets online that looked slightly less like burlap sacks or gift wrap. Woohoo! I got a lovely sage and white combo in the mail last week which I’m quite happy with and ordered three other sets this week. Giving a few different brands a test drive, we’ll see how they work out. I was able to find some combos that look almost like real clothes! I’m excited to see whether they live up to my hopes and dreams for work attire 
Off to run errands and get that photo for my license application!
Pennies from heaven
I am not a religious person. And on the rare occasions I do send up a prayer to the big grandpappy in the sky I’ll admit that it is usually for something selfish. But there are times where I do have to give a big thank you to whoever or whatever is looking out for me, specifically whatever spiritual treasurer sends money my way just when I need it most.
I remember right after I bought my home a few years ago sitting on the floor of the living room and wondering what on earth I had gotten myself into, thinking I was going to break a world record for least amount of time from closing to foreclosure, and wracking my brain to figure out how I was going to get through that month. I went down to check the mail and found a check from the mortgage company, a refund for financing through them or something… I don’t even remember. But it got me through that month and I was able to get on my feet (I haven’t been foreclosed on yet!).
Over this past winter break I was wondering how I was going to scrape the mortgage payment together on time since my semester loan refund wasn’t coming to me until a week or two after the due date. A friend of my mom happened to call her to see if she wanted some extra hours at her company while they were doing inventory. She passed along the offer to me and I was able to make it.
Now… I finally have a real job lined up, but I can’t start until after I have my RN and I don’t know when I will actually sit for the NCLEX (it’s pretty much out of my hands, a hurry up and wait situation). On top of that I have a two-credit course this summer that I have to take, but since it’s less than part-time we aren’t eligible to get financial aid to cover it. I’ve been keeping those “checks” that the credit card companies mail out, but I really don’t want to resort to using them… the balance is already too high as it is. Yesterday my preceptor called to ask if I would be interested in picking up some per diem work in the department I’d been doing my clinical in until I have my RN license and can start my real job. I don’t know how many hours I’ll get or what the pay rate is, but I’ll take whatever I can get! And I just got an e-mail letting me know that a loan I had applied for to cover the summer course got approved and it looks like I’ll even have a little extra left over after the tuition and fees to help me get through the next month or so. On top of that I got a check for my earned income tax credit which I didn’t even know I was eligible for when I filed my taxes (the IRS actually informed me… who says they’re a bunch of meanies?!) and I think I might even get a little from the stimulus package, whenever that comes my way.
I don’t know how I’ve been able to get so lucky, but I hope that one day I can be one of those people who commits random acts of kindness by leaving anonymous donations for people I know need it. Somehow I’m going to repay the karma!
