Human Pincushion and Vampire Victim

Today was the day for the pre-Nursing School physical, titers and immunizations.

The physical was fine. Dr. Wilson and I have a good rapport and I got off with a minimally invasive physical. He put me in for the required tests and I journeyed off to the lab and immunization clinic. Luckily for me, as an Army dependant, all of the places I had to go were right there in the hospital just doors away from each other. :)

One of these days, the phlebotomists are going to listen to me when I tell them that my veins are tiny and they roll. Geez freakin' Louise! I'll be bruised from now until Nursing School starts! The gentleman finally took my advice and got a good vein in my hand. After the obligatory pee in a cup and large donation of 7 vials of blood, I was done.

The ladies in the immunization clinic run their operation like a well-oiled machine. I don't think I've ever encountered a more pleasant and professional group of women. (They also appreciated my OCD with regards to my record-keeping.) I got my PPD in my left arm and will have it read on Friday. It looks fine. I knew it would. Not sure of where I would have ever been exposed to Tuberculosis. I also got the first of three Hepatitis-B immunizations. I get the second in July and the last in December. Woopeee.

At any rate, it's one more thing I can check off the list.

One Small Step Toward the Goal

Today, Chloe Rios and I went to the Comanche County Memorial Hospital to complete out CPR for Health Care Provider requirement. We both received our certification and both scored 100% on the written portion.

I have to believe it's one thing to perform chest compressions on a mannequin and something else entirely to perform them on a human being whose life depended on your next move. One variable the class and instruction can't factor in (I would assume) is the adrenalin that has to be coursing through your veins when you are faced with this task.

Maybe once you've been through it a few times, the adrenalin subsides and your body reacts with muscle-memory and your training kicks in. I can't imagine that the day would ever come that the gravity of the job of being a healthcare provider would not weigh heavily.

I am not even a NEW nursing student, I've not even gone one day to Nursing School, yet. I'm sure my thoughts and theories will be flawed along the way. My journey and will either prove or disprove those theories.

My personal goal as a nurse is to touch people's lives positively, be able to help them when they are in need, and do all of this well.

Normally, folks don't just decide one day that they'd rather go to the hospital instead of going to WalMart. Most are there because something has gone wrong. A smaller percentage are there to welcome a new life into the world. An even smaller percentage are there for elective procedures.

I'm sure God will guide my hand and mind and lead me to where I fit in to the picture. 98% of me believes that I'm supposed to be in Labor and Delivery. My education will ultimately show me if I'm right.

On the road....

My final destination is to be a Nurse Practitioner. Obviously, I have quite the road ahead of me. I try not to focus too far down the road. My only goal is to finish the current plate of classes on the table in front of me.

I have been accepted into the RN program with Western Oklahoma State College. At the same time, I'm completing all the prerequisites I'll need to begin my BSN with the University of Oklahoma immediately after graduation from WOSC. To say the least, my academic life is busy. As I post this, my husband and daughters are in Chicago for a week without me while I take Statistics and Developmental Psychology. Sacrifices have become commonplace in my journey toward higher education.

June 9 was the beginning of the beginning. The Class of 2010 attended Orientation and was promptly given a laundry list of to-do's before the fall semester begins. From ordering scrubs to finding out that we need to give a king's ransom in blood for testing, we were completely immersed in what will be our new culture, our new version of 'normal', our new profession...

I find myself feeling simultaneously effervescing with giddy anticipation and filled with self-doubt. While my focus and determination for my ultimate goal have not wavered, one has to question one's self in a situation such as entering nursing school as a 'non-traditional student'.

As I sat in the orientation listening to countless instructors, administrators, and staff rattle off what we needed to do, say, buy, and complete before class, I wondered silently if anyone else was feeling information overload.

I never question whether I am doing the right/wrong thing. That's not it.
I know that this is what I'm supposed to do. I love the science behind it, the logic required, the skills I'll need, and the people I'll meet and get to know along the way.

Who am I and where am I going?

Welcome to my blog.

Before I begin my blog about the journey I am embarking on, it's only fair to give a little background into who I am.

I'm from a small town in Tennessee where Walking Horses, Girls' High School Basketball and Sharpies are made and perfected.

I have two siblings.

My older sister is a MSG in the TNANG/AGR. She's a decorated combat veteran and is such a great Sr. NCO. To say she's amazing and remarkable would be a gross understatement. She holds a BS and is currently beginning her pursuit of an MS in Marketing. She has had tremendous trials in her personal and professional lives, yet she has always maintained her composure and her conviction. She has an inner strength like no other I've encountered. She's married to a CW4 who loves her beyond reason. They truly complete each other. Together they have 4 amazing kids and one gorgeous grandson. The blessings never stop in their family!

My younger brother left the Army as a CPT after 10 years. He's also a decorated combat veteran. He was most recently in Afghanistan, Iraq before that, Korea before that. He was prior enlisted and once he earned 2 degrees from the University of Tennessee, he attended OCS and got his commission. He's now applying and testing with different states to work in his chosen field of wildlife biology. (Did I mention he's crazy smart?) He's married to a great girl (also prior military!) who is on her path to Law School!!! She tries not to rub his nose in the fact that she has more jumps than him with the 82nd ABN! Together, they have created the most beautiful little boy.

My father passed away in 1999. My mom started a new career at age 60 and is now a proud flight attendant with Southwest Airlines. She finally met someone new. His name is Rich. He's from Houston and my mom just thinks he's the cat's pajamas. They really seem to make each other happy. Mom is the quintessential Southern Lady. She has mastered the art of forgiveness, has an unshakeable faith, loves with her whole heart...if she doesn't get into heaven none of us have a chance. She is my rock, my inspiration, my confidant, my very first best friend.

I was married before I met Jon. It went bad after only about 6 years. The divorce was ugly and an experience I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I don't think I would have appreciated Jon had I not gone through that. The upside is the daughters that I get to watch grow up every day.

Fast forward 5 years to 2003: I'd been a single mom for 4 years, I went to Fort Bragg to see my brother off before his deployment to Iraq. Little did I know that I'd meet the man I would marry just 10 months later. Jon was my brother's roommate. They met in Korea and when they both got stationed to Fort Bragg, they decided to rent an apartment together. My mom said that when Jon and I met, it was as if the rest of the world just fell away. We got to know each other for the rest of the weekend. He and my brother deployed to Iraq a few days later. Jon and I kept in touch via text messages, instant messaging, emails, letters, pictures...however we could. We considered each email, text, etc a 'date'. We had all the conversations a new couple has when they are dating. We knew before he ever left US soil that we were going to be married. He came back from Iraq in April and we married in June of 2004. We raise our 2 daughters and live our Army life.

That's me in a very large nutshell.

Now, onto the journey!