Pinning & Graduation Pictures

Pinning on Thursday began with a class picture:

I graduated with 58 other nursing students. It was fun to see everyone all dressed up!

The ceremony was much more elegant than I expected. We used Benson Great Hall, which is a beautiful auditorium with high wooden ceilings and a beautiful organ. It is the same space that was used for the baccalaureate service later that night and our graduation the next day.

I got my pin!

Being pinned.

Me, and the husband after the ceremony.

My parents and I.

Two of my four siblings were able to make it to the ceremony...the rest of them joined us for dinner at Big Bowl. YUM!

Woohoo!

The organ in the Great Hall where pinning and graduation were held.

Getting my diploma!

My classmate and I right after graduation finished.

Two of the three girls that helped get me through the program!

Hip-hip hooray!

I want a big beautiful oak tree in my yard some day...

I have no idea what I am doing with my hand here, but I like this picture :)

So graduation is graduation I guess, but pinning was pretty special. I teared up a little when our class speaker said a few words. I actually can't believe I didn't end up bawling the entire weekend because the whole week before hand I was in tears just thinking about graduation! Lets just say after six years as an undergraduate, it was about time!!!!!

This last weekend reminded me how lucky I was to go to a school where we can talk openly about our faith and incorporate it into the most meaningful events of our lives. I don't think nursing school would have been the same if we didn't have prayer and devotions before some of our classes. I know it has made me a better person, and will make me an even more wonderful nurse. 

At the baccalaureate service we were given servant towels that said "Follow me" -Jesus. They were given to us to remind us that as we leave college, and the environments that we feel safe in that we have a greater responsibility, and that is to serve others and to serve God. The President talked about how a lot of people refer to Bethel as a bubble where people live sheltered lives and how he doesn't agree with that. Bethel was a place where we learned about our faith and values, and now, as graduates, we have to bring our faith into what we do and to the people that we meet. We were given communion, and our families prayer for us, and overall, it was a really great service and time of worship and I just can't imagine it being as meaningful if I had stayed at NDSU. 

Right now I am just bursting with gratitude and praise for God. He he has been so faithful to me and has always attended to my every need. I know a lot of people are concerned with finding a job now, but I am so at peace with my situation. I am so happy. I know that the right thing will come up at the right time. It always has, and I'm sure it always will. That's not to say it will be easy, but like we were told during baccalaureate, there is no job that is insignificant. 

Ecclesiastes 3

 "¹ To everything there is a season,

      A time for every purpose under heaven: 

       ² A time to be born, 

And a time to die; 

      A time to plant, 

And a time to pluck what is planted; 

       ³ A time to kill, 

And a time to heal; 

      A time to break down, 

And a time to build up; 

       ⁴ A time to weep, 

And a time to laugh; 

      A time to mourn, 

And a time to dance; 

       ⁵ A time to cast away stones, 

And a time to gather stones; 

      A time to embrace, 

And a time to refrain from embracing; 

       ⁶ A time to gain, 

And a time to lose; 

      A time to keep, 

And a time to throw away; 

       ⁷ A time to tear, 

And a time to sew; 

      A time to keep silence, 

And a time to speak; 

       ⁸ A time to love, 

And a time to hate; 

      A time of war, 

And a time of peace."

So I guess that's where I'm at. Graduated, with no job. I am just going to spend the next three-four weeks preparing for my board examine. I don't have any plans to continue looking for jobs. I am just going to focus on one thing at a time. If a place that I have already applied to calls, great. If not, that's okay too. I will worry about it when I pass the NCLEX at the end of June/beginning of July!

First night out...in a long time!

Tonight I went to the St. Paul Saint's game with some girls from school. Not only did I have a lot of fun, but it was so beautiful out! 

To be perfectly honest...other than my brother's graduation party a couple of weekends ago, I haven't spent any significant amount of time outdoors since approximately November. I know, that's totally disgusting but completely true. Man, I cannot wait to graduate! I am officially done with all my papers...and only have one test left. Life is completely surreal to me right now, and I love it! 

Done with Class!

I'm officially done with classes as of 12:08 PM! Woohoo! I celebrated by taking a nap, LOL.

I also have some good news...I think...there is a hospital in Harrison, Arkansas that is interested in me. I was told that if I was planning a trip down there anytime soon that they would like to me to meet some of the nurse managers because they think they have some excellent opportunities for me. 

So, I have to figure out how I feel about moving to Arkansas. The town looks pretty cute, and there are a lot of outdoor activities. The town is about 35 miles south of Branson, MO, so we'll see! I'm trying to find someone to drive down there with me because I think I would at least like to go check it out. The problem is Jared works in the Garden Department at Home Depot, so he is sort of in the middle of his busy season right now and can't just take off on a road trip with me, and he won't allow me to go by myself so I'm trying to work something out with my mom or maybe dad. We'll see. 

I graduate in ONE week!!!! I have to finish up one paper, start/finish another and then I have one test. This is probably my least hectic finals week ever. I'm very excited. 

Third Day: Born Again

I heard this song on my way to school today and it put a big smile on my face...so I thought I would share it.

Third Day: Born Again

Today I found myself

After searching all these years

And the man that I saw, he wasn't at all who I thought he'd be

I was lost when you found me here

And I was broken beyond repair

Then you came along and you sang your song over me

It feels like I'm born again

It feels like I'm living

For the very first time

For the very first time

In my life

Make a promise to me now

Reassure my heart somehow

That the love that I feel is so much more real than anything

I've a feeling in my soul

And I pray that I'm not wrong

That the life I have now, it is only the beginning

It feels like I'm born again

It feels like I'm living

For the very first time

For the very first time

It feels like I'm breathing

It feels like I'm moving

For the very first time

For the very first time

I wasn't looking for something that was more

Than what I had yesterday

Then you came to me and you gave to me

Life and a love that I've never known

That I've never felt before

It feels like I'm born again

It feels like I'm living

For the very first time

I'm living for the first time

It feels like I'm breathing

It feels like I'm moving

For the very first time

I'm living for the first time

In my life

13 days!

I graduate in 13 days! Whoohoo! However, this last weekend, it was my brothers turn. The smarty-pants graduated summa cum laude. If you aren't familiar with what that is, it is basically the highest honors you can get. You have to have a GPA between 3.9-4.0, and he did it while triple majoring in finance, economics and math. 

This week is my last week of classes! Although finals week is typically much more intense, that is not the case for me. My agenda for this week is as follows:

• Oral synthesis/test on Tuesday
• Two hour long, group presentations on Wednesday
• Two presentations on Thursday (it's the same presentation I just have to present it twice)
• Turn in my final two reading responses for Bioethics
• Start and finish my internship portfolio

Next week...

• One cumulative test, and
• My final policy paper for Bioethics is due

So although I have a lot going on in the next couple of weeks, in all honesty I know it is just going to add to the sense of accomplishment I feel when I finally graduate!

The Interview That Lasted 2 Minutes

I had put off posting on this because I didn't want to get my hopes up too much...but this afternoon I had the first phase of phone screening/interview scheduled for a position in Texas. Well, it lasted 2 minutes and 10 seconds.

I was asked if I could relocate by June 1st, and I said that I graduated May 23rd and would be able to relocate quickly because I have family in Texas. Then I proceeded to mention that because of my late graduation date that I would not be able to take the nursing licensing exam before the start date, but to my understanding that would be okay because I would be able to practice on a temporary license.

...maybe not. The gentleman I was interviewing with was not familiar with the regulations regarding temporary licensing and said he thought that the temporary license was only for Texas graduates and he would have to get back to me...and he never did.

I'm super bummed because I really wanted this job. OH WELL! God has a plan for me. I know he does! I have one more week of classes, and then finals! Whoo hoo! My brother graduates this weekend, so I am heading out of town with the part of my family that isn't sick. Hopefully I will be able to get a ton done while I am in the car.

Have a great weekend! Hopefully sometime in the near future I will have GOOD news. I feel like I have been overly negative lately.

My Brother has the Swine Flu

Okay, I am sorry...but when my mom told me that my brother has the swine flu I started laughing. I guess it's because I think this whole H1N1 epidemic is a little ridiculous....IT'S JUST THE FLU! As long as you are smart, and keep yourself well hydrated you are most likely going to be just fine. 

Well...I'm serious. My brother most likely has the swine flu (this is was his Doctor said) because he has influenza type A and the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus is in that category. However, they are no longer testing for that particular strain because the CDC is so backed up or something like that...and because it's not as serious as the media has made it out to be. 

Anyways...with all that said, of course I am concerned for my brother's well-being. Especially because when he gets sick he tends to get respiratory problems, but overall I am amused because I am not surprised that this would happen to someone in my family. Especially considering my 22 year-old sister currently has the foot, hand and mouth disease which typically only effects small children. PLUS my mom is making a HUGE deal out of this. She is "worried" about how the school district is going to respond, but secretly hoping that they are going to force her to stay home from work. (Both of my parents work in the same school district that my siblings go to school in). My mom is a little dramatic, but I love her for it...she got one of my sisters totally worked up about all of this and she's freaking out...needless to say, Jared and I may have an extra body staying with us because my sister is done with school on Tuesday and is not interested in going back to the sick house.

What A Blessing!!!!!!

Tonight was suppose to be my last clinical experience, which I was already very excited about. However, this afternoon, when I sat down to eat my lunch and catch-up on my e-mails I found one from one of my instructors saying that she had to cancel clinicals tonight because she wasn't feeling well.

...so although I feel bad that she is sick, I am SOOOOOO excited!!!! We do have an alternative assignment that should take about 3 to 3-1/2 hours, but that's much better than approximately the 14 hours minimum that I would have to devote to going to the hospital and doing paperwork. The next two weeks of my life are going to be very crazy. This extra time I now have is such a blessing! (I have plans to pull an all nighter tonight...it looks like that isn't going to happen now!)

Glimmer of hope?

"While you have not been selected for this position, your background and experience are indeed impressive. Your application is being further reviewed for consideration of other positions; however, please feel free to visit our website for future openings."

At least the rejections are getting nicer! LOL. I applied for about 8 jobs at the particular hospital in Nashville, TN that sent me this message. This specific position I believe it was in critical care whereas the others are not quite as specialized...so I'm crossing my fingers that they will offer me at least one opportunity to interview!

On another note...I'm a little devastated today because I've realized that I absolutely have to stop drinking coffee. I think I've mentioned this before, but I'm asthmatic...and my asthma is not very well control. This was one of the reasons why I was trying to get back in shape by jogging... 

Well today I stopped by Caribou on my way to physical therapy (for my back), and got a wonderfully delicious Turtle Mocha and now I cannot breath. It's the caffeine. I know it is. This happens every time, and I try to ignore it. But I can't do that anymore. So I think today was the last day that I will ever purchase a Turtle Mocha or coffee in almost any form. (I think I can still handle the Carmel Coolers). 

I haven't had any significant problems with tea yet. So on those days when I am really desperate for a little energy I might have a little black tea, but we'll see how long I am able to even handle that. I am also seriously considering yoga. I have heard that it is a really effective exercise for people with respiratory problems, and I think I would really benefit from it. I have realized that I take very shallow breaths, and am able to relax much easier when I focus on my breathing. However, I'm not planning on making any changes to my level of activity in the next few weeks. I just want to focus on graduating. I've learned that I just need to focus on one thing at a time right now. Too many changes, and too many activities is just too much stress.

Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!