Sunday, June 29, 2008

Our Week at a Glance

This is how I feel right now. Let me explain.

This week has been a very busy/exciting time for Sean and me. First, I'm officially done with orienting and now I work as my own, independent nurse in labor and delivery. My first day by myself was last Sunday and I was so nervous. (Saturday night I didn't sleep well at all.) Everything went fairly smooth and I was happy when the charge nurse (the nurse over all the other nurses) said, "Oh wow, it's your first day, I would have never guessed. You're doing really well." Phew!!

So then Monday Sean started summer term classes. He is taking full-time classes and working part time. He has lots of nightly homework for his business law class but I think he'll enjoy the term. Spring term was a nice break for him and now it's back to the books.


Also on Monday I worked again and it was the busiest I've ever seen labor and delivery. We had 23 laboring patients with only 18 rooms. We had to ask people to wait in the waiting room because we had no space available. Each nurse was overloaded and it was wild. I (now remember this is my second day on my own) was caring for 2 women both with twins on the way!! Crazy!!We had a couple emergency c-sections which are scary but we all worked together and helped out as much as we could.

On Thursday was one of the scariest days of my life. I took my national boards exams (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse. I studied hard for this test reading books, reviewing old class material, taking practice tests, and doing hundreds and hundreds of practice questions. I felt sort of prepared going into the test and when I left I wanted to cry. IT WAS THE HARDEST TEST I'VE EVER TAKEN IN MY LIFE! I was so discouraged about it. I even had a dream last night that I failed and I was so sad. Well today I looked on the website and saw that I passed my boards and I'm officially a registered nurse. Hallelujah!! Oh man what a relief. After years of school, studying, stressing--it all was worth it because now I am legally a nurse!! I feel so blessed and grateful to have passed. I know that I was being helped during that exam and prayers were answered.

On Saturday we spent the whole day painting our family room. 4 walls + 2 coats of paint = lots of work and a sore back. But it looks great now and I'll post some pictures this week.

Well all this plus the ward choir performing today in church (i'm the pianist) pretty much sums up our week. It was a crazy week and I'm glad it's over. =) P.S. I don't know who that baby is, I just thought he had an adorable smile so I posted it. =)

8 comments:

Lindsay Riggs said...

Elizabeth- I bet you're the best nurse. Moms in labor and afterwards need sweet people like you to help them!

Karie said...

Congratulations, you RN you! Way to go! You should celebrate--painting a room doesn't count as celebrating. :D

Jenni said...

Congratulations on passing your boards! What a relief. I am already nervous about the first part of our national boards and they are a year away! Are you still living in our old apartment? If so I can't wait to see what the painting looks like!

Jami said...

Wow!! You are busy!! Do the two of you ever see each other?? Congratulations!! I am so impressed!!! You will be an awesome nurse!

Kristen said...

That is exactly how I felt after taking the NCLEX! It was so hard that I thought there was no way I could have passed. What a relief for you to have it done with. Congrats!! Sounds like you are doing great. :)

Laura said...

Yeah, Beth! We are so excited for you! Even though I knew you'd pass I'm sure its such a relief. Now all you have to do is take care of laboring mothers and bring new lives to earth...no pressure there! =) Post some pictures of your painted walls. I want to see how it looks. Also, this new picture in the title is really nice of both of you. What a good lookin' couple!

Blake and Laura said...

Elizabeth! It's Laura from nursing school. I found your blog and was way excited. Congrats on passing the NCLEX and I am jealous of your L&D job. One day I'll be there too. Anyway...our blog is bnlwilkes.blogspot.com.

Ashley said...

congrats Elizabeth!!! all that hard work finally payed off! Let me tell you from personal experience, the world needs more good L&D nurses! hope your having a blast working at UVRMC!