So.. I have a confession
and that is that I never really had any sort of respect for nurses
I truly and honestly thought what they went through to get where they were must have been a breeze.
Surely the doctors are the only ones that do all the hard work.
Right?
Boy was I wrong..
{Let me warn you-- this is going to be lengthy..
I want to remember all of my college experience so I'm starting at the beginning}
{Let me warn you-- this is going to be lengthy..
I want to remember all of my college experience so I'm starting at the beginning}
I knew when I was in high school taking Chemistry from Mr. Steffensen
that I was just absolutely destined to be a pharmacist.
I lovvvveedd chemistry and I had asked him what career path he suggested
and a pharmacist was his recommendation
from then on I researched into it and I just was certain that would be my future
I continued to take chemistry in high school
and even took college chemistry 1210 and 1220 while I was still there.
With this idea in mind I headed up to The University of Utah
for two semesters when I graduated high school
then down to Dixie State College for 2 years
I got my associates degree there.
Then back to Cedar to SUU.
By this point I had finished my pharm pre requisites
{A lot of classes I would never need for nursing--
Calc I & II, Physics I & II, Organic Chemistry I & II etc.}
Calc I & II, Physics I & II, Organic Chemistry I & II etc.}
waaayy too much homework that I never even needed to do)
I had also applied to pharmacy schools and taken the PCAT.
I only applied to 2 schools.
and my PCAT score was HORRIBLE
(now that I look back on it, I probably should have studied more than the week before the test.. oopsie)
So as you can probably guess.. I didn't get in to these two schools
One of the schools I had applied to was called
University of Southern Nevada at the time
I had interviewed here and I got wait listed
I was pretty sure at the time and still am now that this is their nice way of saying you just didn't get in
This school had a campus in South Jordan and it's the one I interviewed at first
the next year I applied to the Henderson campus and interviewed there
I was like number 90 on the wait list at South Jordan
and when I got wait listed at Henderson I was number 21
So I was feeling better about this.
But.. It still didn't work out
{This school, USN, later became Roseman University}
{This school, USN, later became Roseman University}
So.. I decided I needed to change my path a bit
My main goal has always been to get a bachelors degree
On my mom's side I would be the first one to complete this..
So I decided I didn't have to be a pharmacist
I just needed a bachelors degree at least and then I could go from there
so I figured since I was about 35-ish credits (~3-4 semesters)
On my mom's side I would be the first one to complete this..
So I decided I didn't have to be a pharmacist
I just needed a bachelors degree at least and then I could go from there
so I figured since I was about 35-ish credits (~3-4 semesters)
from a chemistry degree then I would go with that.
So that's what I started at SUU
Bio-organic chemstiry, Physical Chemistry + lab, and Genetics + lab
are the classes that made up my schedule
Looking at my books alone was intimidating
going to class was a whole other story
It wasn't like the worst thing in the world..
but pretty close
Pchem was essentially physics, calculus, and chemistry mixed into one.
kind of a nightmare
I was actually doing pretty good in all of my classes
but I just decided I was miserable and it wasn't what I wanted to do
I couldn't picture myself being a chemist
and I didn't know what else I would do with this degree
But for whatever reason nursing came to mind..
surely that was easy..
That same day after class.. I marched right over to SUU's nursing department
and took a look at their classes
and here are a few of the classes I saw...
"Care of the Family"
"Care of Adults"
"Health Promotion and education"
"Geriatric Nursing"
"Fundamentals of nursing"
I seriously was like smiling huge inside
...This.. Now THIS is for me...
Certainly this will be easier than chemistry..
MUCH easier..
and I get a bachelors degree out of it..
and it doesn't matter if I've never in my life thought about wanting to be a nurse
I just want a bachelors..
so this is going to be my plan.
And.. it was.
There was an entrance exam for this too..
The TEAS test.
this included
Reading, Math, Science, English and language usage..
Ease Pease.. definitely much easier than the ochem and everything else on the PCAT
and I was right..
barely studied for this one either.. {oops}
took it once.. and got 84.7%
I'm pretty sure we only had to be above 70.. or maybe 75? to get into the program
kind of a nightmare
I was actually doing pretty good in all of my classes
but I just decided I was miserable and it wasn't what I wanted to do
I couldn't picture myself being a chemist
and I didn't know what else I would do with this degree
But for whatever reason nursing came to mind..
surely that was easy..
That same day after class.. I marched right over to SUU's nursing department
and took a look at their classes
and here are a few of the classes I saw...
"Care of the Family"
"Care of Adults"
"Health Promotion and education"
"Geriatric Nursing"
"Fundamentals of nursing"
I seriously was like smiling huge inside
...This.. Now THIS is for me...
Certainly this will be easier than chemistry..
MUCH easier..
and I get a bachelors degree out of it..
and it doesn't matter if I've never in my life thought about wanting to be a nurse
I just want a bachelors..
so this is going to be my plan.
And.. it was.
There was an entrance exam for this too..
The TEAS test.
this included
Reading, Math, Science, English and language usage..
Ease Pease.. definitely much easier than the ochem and everything else on the PCAT
and I was right..
barely studied for this one either.. {oops}
took it once.. and got 84.7%
I'm pretty sure we only had to be above 70.. or maybe 75? to get into the program
either way.. I remember I was above and that made me so happy
it also made me think.. cake! this is going to be cake! I've totally got this.
So.. I applied. Again, to the same school I had applied to for pharmacy
and I was real nervous
but I got an interview..
and then I got accepted.
That was such a crazy day!
I could NOT believe it. How was I FINALLY actually working towards a final degree?
It was such a great feeling
So I started in January
and proceeded to have the absolute craziest, busiest, year and a half of my life.
{You know.. when you meet a girl who sets you up with her brother..
and you get married and have a baby?}
I definitely was completely wrong on nursing being easy..
let me just clear that up real quick.
and for me.. it was even more difficult than I feel like my chemistry degree would have been
I'm more of the type of gal that understands things that I can think through
{like math.. and chemistry.. if you take your time and think through it you can come up with the answer.. at least that's how I saw it }
rather than memorizing things
and don't get me wrong.. you definitely can think through a lot of nursing things
if you completely understand the patho behind everything
but I felt like it was a lot more of memorizing things
signs and symptoms for a certain disease
how to treat that disease
what meds to give for that disease
the side effects of those meds
what not to take those meds with
what enhances the absorption of those meds
etc, etc, etc.
lots of memorizing... not my cup of tea.
{oh meds.. meds.. meds.. boy was I glad I didn't go the pharm route.. phew}
oh.. and waking up at 5 am to be to clinical by 545 in the morning
followed by a 12 hour day.. ending at 6 pm at night.
with only a 30 minute lunch.. if you're even lucky enough to get that.
and.. on your feet.. ALL DAY LONG.
yeah.. so pretty much it wasn't quite as easy as I thought
I gotta say.. SUU needs to rename their classes..
They really made it sound so much simpler than it really is
in my opinion..
Here's a little breakdown of how our program works...
Our school is set up really different, in a block system.
I absolutely loved it.
Rather than a typical semester system where you have to focus on 3-4 classes at one time
You just have one class. focus on it for 2-6 weeks.
take your midterm 1-3 weeks into it and your final at the end of the 2-6 weeks.
It was so amazing.
You could put all your focus into one class
it really made sense to me, and it really worked well for me.
Also, we had to pass our tests before being able to go to clinical
Most other schools put you into clinical at the same time you are going to class
so you don't really know everything you are doing when you're thrown into the clinical setting
with us, we had to learn about the stuff that would apply to our clinical
it just made sense.
We had to pass every test with 90%
if you didn't..
then you had one more chance to take the test
on a monday.. when everyone else that passed the first time got the day off
although it was difficult to get a 90.. we had a little help
We would take the test.. a minute and a half per question..
then we would go into our groups and take the same exact test as a group (7 people)
{if we got above 90% as a group.. we would get 3-4 points added to our individual score}
then we could turn that in and go get our material-- books, powerpoints, etc.--
and we had 30 minutes to challenge questions
if there were questions we felt weren't fair because they didn't make sense
or they were contraindicated somewhere in our books or powerpoints
then we could write a challenge for why we felt it wasn't a fair question
then the professors would sit down and go through them all and we could get points back on those questions too if they were thrown out.
So that was nice... although, still not easy to get a 90%.
You definitely had to study to get that!
At least I did.. I'm not one of those people that can study the night before and get by
At the beginning of the program I spent a few hours every night studying
I got into a better rhythm by the end of the program and didn't have to do quite as much studying.
If you didn't pass the test on that second try..
then you had to remediate
meaning.. while everyone went to clinical for 2-4 weeks..
you had to go back to school and go over material again
and retake the test again
then.. during the summer break when all those that passed the test got 4 weeks off
you had to go to clinical and make up the time you missed
bummer.
There were 2 tests I didn't pass on the first try
the first time was block 3 midterm
I retook it and passed.. hooray!
the second time was in block 5.
we had 2 midterms and 1 final
I passed the first midterm.. failed (86%) the second.. and passed the final
had to retake the second midterm.. got an 88%
and had to remediate the whole block.. boooo!!!
I was really upset. It was a definite challenge and made me get really down on myself.
but I passed.. remediate clinicals in July..
and continued on my way!
I was pregnant through the majority of my program..
So that wasn't always the easiest either.
In August 2013 when I was brand new preggers
and having the worstmorning all day sickness..
I had to be at those long clinicals.. on my feet. super early mornings.
plus no one knew about that little pregnancy.. so it had to be a secret
sheesh.. ya that was a rough time!
Obviously I knew I would be delivering my baby during the program
I was due on April 13th... and I knew we didn't graduate until the end of June.
So I went and talked to our Dean early on to make sure this was all going to work out
because I knew I was going to have to miss some class time when I delivered
and she reassured me that it wouldn't be a problem
we would be in the middle of care of the older adult at that time
and leadership would be the next block.
In other words.. we would be doing the two easiest blocks during this time
so that was good news
My due date started nearing
and I was in class and talked to the professor in charge of that block
I wanted to make sure I would be able to make up the work if I were to go into labor
I ended up going a week overdue... boo!!
But this was good news because I didn't have to miss as much class
I went into labor the night before our final for care of the older adult block
My professor reassured me that I would be able to make up this test on the following Wednesday
That was when the remediation test was scheduled
Alysha also ended up missing the test, because well..
she was up with me all night while I was having my baby!
Our professor e-mailed us to inform us that we would actually have to do a paper instead
This was somewhat a relief.. I didn't get home from the hospital until Monday evening
and I wasn't in the best of shape..
So I wasn't really able to imagine how I was going to be able to go to school on Wednesday morning
However, this was also more work..
Instead of just studying for a test.. that I had already studied for..
We had to research a topic
we had to have like 5 different references
it had to be 3 pages..
etc. etc..
basically-- it took more time than it would have to study and take the test
oh well! We did it.. and it worked out.. and so all was great in the world!
Next hurdle...
Leadership block..
I had also talked to the professors over this block a few weeks before it had started
because I knew I would have had my baby by then
Since I had a C-section, which wasn't exactly in my plans..
My healing time ended up being a bit longer than I had planned as well
Truly.. I could barely walk from my bedroom to my front room
for a good week after returning home
it was exhausting
And not only that..
I was having such a difficult time adjusting to this huge life change that had just taken place
And I really didn't want to over due it
I knew I had to go to my capstone clinical
just three weeks after delivering
Luckily my professors understood this
so they worked with me and allowed me to miss this time in class
I had to go over the powerpoints that were presented in class each day
and Alysha helped me out to let me know if I missed anything
I did have to go in one day to do a presentation
but I did that and all was well!
I also had to go in and take the test.
The day before the test they have a review
and alysha got me on facetime during this so that I didn't miss it
I was nervous to take the test..
prior to this I had only missed one day of class
I'm just not the type of person to miss class
It completely stresses me out
and stresses me out to be late..
so I was typically always there on time as well
{if it was in my hands.. ;) alysha ;) hah }
anyways.. I passed!! hooray!!
next..
on to my capstone!
My very last clinical experience being a student nurse!
I wasn't really sure what field I wanted to go in to..
So my main request was just that it was in the orem/provo area if possible
that way I didn't have to be away form Luca any longer than the 12 hours that were already required
Luckily there was an emergency department position at American Fork Hospital
and I got that one.
I had only done one day in the emergency department before
But I really loved it.. so I was very excited for this experience
And it ended up being just as great as I had hoped
It is my kind of place..
face paced
constantly changing
get to see different things every day
get to work with all different kind of patients
it was just really interesting
and I loved it!!
I was also lucky because I was one of very few students that had all 12 requried to pass
Although once the professors all started talking about it
it turned out that we really only needed 10 shifts.. 120 hours rather than the 144 to pass.
So I was so happy about this!
I thought I would be able to get out of 2 shifts at the end of it.
Well...
then one day everything changed..
{If you've made it this far.. you're doin good.. things are about to get interesting
And I'm about to be very bitter.. because I was pretty upset by this whole situation and although it doesn't bother me anymore, I know it's a story I may want to remember later}
So we all got an email one day
apparently word got to the dean
(who was no longer our original dean.. but instead the dean over the nevada campus.. because well.. they pretty much made our dean leave in like december? anyways.. long long ago.. so now we got to deal with the pleasant dean of the henderson campus... and well.. she wasn't super pleasant, in my opinion.
I already had to deal with her when I had to make up a history/government class... I took the CLEP for government and got 2 points less than I needed to pass. boo!! so then I had to figure out another option and she was less than helpful. and told me I had to finish this class by March 1st. But there were 2 other girls in my class and they were able to have until April 20th or something to finish. So this didn't seem fair and I took it up with her and she didn't like that..and wasn't going to allow me the extra time. Although she finally went back to the handbook and found out that I should be allowed the extra time.. so I got it. phew.)
ANNNYYYWAAAYYSS...
She set things straight real quick..
the 144 hours was in fact required
although the last 3 or 4 cohorts that have graduated from South Jordan weren't required to do them..
and we were in the third week of our capstone with only 1.5 week left when all this happened
so.. all those people that weren't so lucky
and their nurses didn't have all the shifts they needed
now had to quickly figure out how to get in all the hours they needed
otherwise they wouldn't pass
and instead would have to remediate this time during the summer break in July..
Well.. that sucked for all my friends..
but didn't affect me because I luckily had all my shifts
but.. it got worse
the next email I got stated that that paper we wrote in place of the Care of the Older Adult test
was no longer acceptable
we would now be required to retake this test
because apparently someone complained that this wasn't fair
and that I was apparently being favored....
oh.. so we had to write a paper AND take the test?
Ok.. so then all of our classmates should be required to do that paper we had to do too then right?
if things are going to be fair?
ya.. no.. that wasn't the case
well.. so that sucked
but it was manageable
the next email I got was that I also had to make up the time I missed during leadership
you know.. the 2 weeks I missed because I had a brand new baby?
and an emergency c-section?
ABDOMINAL SURGERY?
ya.. the dean wasn't very sympathetic about this
neither was the person that emailed the dean "anonymously"
of course nothing remains anonymous..
it was only a mater of time before more information was revealed
and we narrowed down who this person was
that felt like I was so "favored"
More information came out about what was in the email
Someone told me that it talked about a number of different things
that I had been favored during clinicals
and didn't have to do all the hours
that I was favored by the professor that gave clinical assignments
that I got favored because I got to do a paper instead of take the assessment
that I was favored because I got to miss class
that I was favored becaus I got to go to Utah County Jail for a clinical rotation
... there it was...
that line sealed the deal.
I had a few people that I had considered it might be that would do something so hurtful and write this email about me
I truly couldn't come up with many out of our small class of 27
it seemed like it would have been someone who wasn't a parent yet
because surely a parent would understand why I would want to be at home with my new baby
and further.. it couldn't be a mother because the would have the understand how huge of a life change having a baby is.. and what it does to your body..
but..
there was only one person affected by me going to the jail
and that was a person that got told she could go there first
although it later came out that my name had actually been drawn before hers to go there
and the professor took it upon himself to draw another name
and not let me go.. because I was pregnant
when he realized that would create a large problem
he had to go back on that decision
and tell her she couldn't go to the jail
and tell me I could since my name was drawn first.
This person was also my very first friend in the program
we had our interview day the same day and clicked instantly
this person is also a mother...
although.. I guess it had been about 12 years since she had given birth
and maybe forgot what it was all about
otherwise.. I have to assume she would have been a little more understanding of my situation
rather than throwing me under the bus to the dean.
{for doing nothing wrong.. just doing what all my professors said was okay to do..
and ps.. in any other college experience.. they can't force you to come to school..
I remember that was something all my college professors would say..
if you want to come.. great.. if you don't come. that's your problem and you have to figure out what you missed and hope that you pass the tests.. ya.. apparently not the case at Roseman}
I was so hurt by this
I couldn't believe that someone would write an email about me
totally attacking me
and how "favored" I was
then to figure out that it was someone I had once considered a friend
really put salt on the wound
It wasn't fun
This email ended up affecting a number of people in the class
There were people that had to remediate the test with us because they also wrote a paper
and there was another girl who had to make up class time that she had missed
and a good majority of the class had to make up clinical hours
not to mention the tight reign that was placed on all the instructors
The most annoying part about it was that none of us students felt like we had done anything wrong..
We were told by faculty what to do..
and yet we still had to pay the price for things that we were previously told would be okay
I think she may not have seen how much damage she would cause when she wrote that email
I think she just intended to hurt only me in writing it
which really hurt even more to think about..
that she was trying to intentionally hurt just me
and.. this was just a few weeks before graduation
so she had to have thought that that would be a possibility
that by writing this email to the dean it would be a possibility that I wouldn't be able to graduate
and that hurt pretty bad too.
It all turned out okay though..
I was able to walk with my class
I made up the test.. and passed it.
I made up the time I missed.. seriously.. just had to make up time..
had to sit in an empty classroom and read articles and add up time
even though I already passed the test..
ugh.. so aggravating.
But.. as I said.. it worked out.
I did the time
and it's all over
I took the ATI test
and passed the first time.
She did not.
And truly.. I would have never wished for that to happen
I felt bad that she didn't pass
I felt bad for everyone... obviously.
You wouldn't wish that on anyone
But.. I am a big believer in karma
and I do think it came back to her a little bit.
Because I in fact wasn't ever favored
I took all the right paths and covered all my bases prior to having my baby
I stayed in touch with all my professors to make sure I was staying on track
They weren't doing me any favors because I was teachers pet or anything
they were just being understanding, sympathetic people
{like we are taught in class every day to do with our patients}
Yet, it somehow really bothered her enough
(and possibly a few other people in my class, as I understand it)
to write the dean and do something about it
I still can't figure out why it mattered to her
or why she felt it was her place to do something about it
but she did.
and it was such an awful end to the school year
it was never how I imagined my time at Roseman ending
I'm just so thankful it's over
Especially now that I'm writing it all down
that was a bad time
and I'm so thankful it's in the past
I just thought it might be something I would want to remember
So I wanted to write it all down
I feel like I truly worked my butt off the last 18 months
nursing school
planning a wedding
being pregnant
and exhausted from that.. and sick..
and still going to clinicals
and class
and studying
and remediating
and have a baby
12 hr clinical days 4 weeks post op
(c-sections are a 6 week healing time)
keeping up with pumping while at clinical
so my baby can have breast milk for longer than 3 weeks
making up class time
and studying with a baby by my side
for 8-10 hours a day for a month+ for the ATI/NCLEX
etc. etc. etc.
I was the busiest I've ever been in life
and it was rewarding
and amazing
and tiring
but it's OVER!!!
have I said that enough yet?!
It's all over..
and it feels so so great!
and I hope I never have that busy of a year again!
weird set up P.S.
after capstone..
we graduated
but got a blank piece of paper
then back to school for 2 weeks
for senior seminar (study help)
then we had to study for 4 weeks
then take the ATI July 28
once we passed that we officially passed
and got our diploma in the mail!!
then continue to study
and apply to the state
and to PearsonVue
and wait anxiously for your ATT
{authorization to test}
then you pick your test date..
and go take the NCLEX
then..
THEN..
You're really done
Oh..
except you have to search for jobs.
And that's not as easy down in the Provo area
as it seems to be for my fellow classmates up in the SLC area
so that's a bummer
But all in good time, I'm sure!!
I'm a nurse..
I have a bachelors degree.
I never have to study for a test again
and that's a great feeling!!
It's all over!
College is all over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now.. for one hundred pictures... really.
it also made me think.. cake! this is going to be cake! I've totally got this.
So.. I applied. Again, to the same school I had applied to for pharmacy
and I was real nervous
but I got an interview..
and then I got accepted.
That was such a crazy day!
I could NOT believe it. How was I FINALLY actually working towards a final degree?
It was such a great feeling
So I started in January
and proceeded to have the absolute craziest, busiest, year and a half of my life.
{You know.. when you meet a girl who sets you up with her brother..
and you get married and have a baby?}
I definitely was completely wrong on nursing being easy..
let me just clear that up real quick.
and for me.. it was even more difficult than I feel like my chemistry degree would have been
I'm more of the type of gal that understands things that I can think through
{like math.. and chemistry.. if you take your time and think through it you can come up with the answer.. at least that's how I saw it }
rather than memorizing things
and don't get me wrong.. you definitely can think through a lot of nursing things
if you completely understand the patho behind everything
but I felt like it was a lot more of memorizing things
signs and symptoms for a certain disease
how to treat that disease
what meds to give for that disease
the side effects of those meds
what not to take those meds with
what enhances the absorption of those meds
etc, etc, etc.
lots of memorizing... not my cup of tea.
{oh meds.. meds.. meds.. boy was I glad I didn't go the pharm route.. phew}
oh.. and waking up at 5 am to be to clinical by 545 in the morning
followed by a 12 hour day.. ending at 6 pm at night.
with only a 30 minute lunch.. if you're even lucky enough to get that.
and.. on your feet.. ALL DAY LONG.
yeah.. so pretty much it wasn't quite as easy as I thought
I gotta say.. SUU needs to rename their classes..
They really made it sound so much simpler than it really is
in my opinion..
Here's a little breakdown of how our program works...
Our school is set up really different, in a block system.
I absolutely loved it.
Rather than a typical semester system where you have to focus on 3-4 classes at one time
You just have one class. focus on it for 2-6 weeks.
take your midterm 1-3 weeks into it and your final at the end of the 2-6 weeks.
It was so amazing.
You could put all your focus into one class
it really made sense to me, and it really worked well for me.
Also, we had to pass our tests before being able to go to clinical
Most other schools put you into clinical at the same time you are going to class
so you don't really know everything you are doing when you're thrown into the clinical setting
with us, we had to learn about the stuff that would apply to our clinical
it just made sense.
We had to pass every test with 90%
if you didn't..
then you had one more chance to take the test
on a monday.. when everyone else that passed the first time got the day off
although it was difficult to get a 90.. we had a little help
We would take the test.. a minute and a half per question..
then we would go into our groups and take the same exact test as a group (7 people)
{if we got above 90% as a group.. we would get 3-4 points added to our individual score}
then we could turn that in and go get our material-- books, powerpoints, etc.--
and we had 30 minutes to challenge questions
if there were questions we felt weren't fair because they didn't make sense
or they were contraindicated somewhere in our books or powerpoints
then we could write a challenge for why we felt it wasn't a fair question
then the professors would sit down and go through them all and we could get points back on those questions too if they were thrown out.
So that was nice... although, still not easy to get a 90%.
You definitely had to study to get that!
At least I did.. I'm not one of those people that can study the night before and get by
At the beginning of the program I spent a few hours every night studying
I got into a better rhythm by the end of the program and didn't have to do quite as much studying.
If you didn't pass the test on that second try..
then you had to remediate
meaning.. while everyone went to clinical for 2-4 weeks..
you had to go back to school and go over material again
and retake the test again
then.. during the summer break when all those that passed the test got 4 weeks off
you had to go to clinical and make up the time you missed
bummer.
There were 2 tests I didn't pass on the first try
the first time was block 3 midterm
I retook it and passed.. hooray!
the second time was in block 5.
we had 2 midterms and 1 final
I passed the first midterm.. failed (86%) the second.. and passed the final
had to retake the second midterm.. got an 88%
and had to remediate the whole block.. boooo!!!
I was really upset. It was a definite challenge and made me get really down on myself.
but I passed.. remediate clinicals in July..
and continued on my way!
I was pregnant through the majority of my program..
So that wasn't always the easiest either.
In August 2013 when I was brand new preggers
and having the worst
I had to be at those long clinicals.. on my feet. super early mornings.
plus no one knew about that little pregnancy.. so it had to be a secret
sheesh.. ya that was a rough time!
Obviously I knew I would be delivering my baby during the program
I was due on April 13th... and I knew we didn't graduate until the end of June.
So I went and talked to our Dean early on to make sure this was all going to work out
because I knew I was going to have to miss some class time when I delivered
and she reassured me that it wouldn't be a problem
we would be in the middle of care of the older adult at that time
and leadership would be the next block.
In other words.. we would be doing the two easiest blocks during this time
so that was good news
My due date started nearing
and I was in class and talked to the professor in charge of that block
I wanted to make sure I would be able to make up the work if I were to go into labor
I ended up going a week overdue... boo!!
But this was good news because I didn't have to miss as much class
I went into labor the night before our final for care of the older adult block
My professor reassured me that I would be able to make up this test on the following Wednesday
That was when the remediation test was scheduled
Alysha also ended up missing the test, because well..
she was up with me all night while I was having my baby!
Our professor e-mailed us to inform us that we would actually have to do a paper instead
This was somewhat a relief.. I didn't get home from the hospital until Monday evening
and I wasn't in the best of shape..
So I wasn't really able to imagine how I was going to be able to go to school on Wednesday morning
However, this was also more work..
Instead of just studying for a test.. that I had already studied for..
We had to research a topic
we had to have like 5 different references
it had to be 3 pages..
etc. etc..
basically-- it took more time than it would have to study and take the test
oh well! We did it.. and it worked out.. and so all was great in the world!
Next hurdle...
Leadership block..
I had also talked to the professors over this block a few weeks before it had started
because I knew I would have had my baby by then
Since I had a C-section, which wasn't exactly in my plans..
My healing time ended up being a bit longer than I had planned as well
Truly.. I could barely walk from my bedroom to my front room
for a good week after returning home
it was exhausting
And not only that..
I was having such a difficult time adjusting to this huge life change that had just taken place
And I really didn't want to over due it
I knew I had to go to my capstone clinical
just three weeks after delivering
Luckily my professors understood this
so they worked with me and allowed me to miss this time in class
I had to go over the powerpoints that were presented in class each day
and Alysha helped me out to let me know if I missed anything
I did have to go in one day to do a presentation
but I did that and all was well!
I also had to go in and take the test.
The day before the test they have a review
and alysha got me on facetime during this so that I didn't miss it
I was nervous to take the test..
prior to this I had only missed one day of class
I'm just not the type of person to miss class
It completely stresses me out
and stresses me out to be late..
so I was typically always there on time as well
{if it was in my hands.. ;) alysha ;) hah }
anyways.. I passed!! hooray!!
next..
on to my capstone!
My very last clinical experience being a student nurse!
I wasn't really sure what field I wanted to go in to..
So my main request was just that it was in the orem/provo area if possible
that way I didn't have to be away form Luca any longer than the 12 hours that were already required
Luckily there was an emergency department position at American Fork Hospital
and I got that one.
I had only done one day in the emergency department before
But I really loved it.. so I was very excited for this experience
And it ended up being just as great as I had hoped
It is my kind of place..
face paced
constantly changing
get to see different things every day
get to work with all different kind of patients
it was just really interesting
and I loved it!!
I was also lucky because I was one of very few students that had all 12 requried to pass
Although once the professors all started talking about it
it turned out that we really only needed 10 shifts.. 120 hours rather than the 144 to pass.
So I was so happy about this!
I thought I would be able to get out of 2 shifts at the end of it.
Well...
then one day everything changed..
{If you've made it this far.. you're doin good.. things are about to get interesting
And I'm about to be very bitter.. because I was pretty upset by this whole situation and although it doesn't bother me anymore, I know it's a story I may want to remember later}
So we all got an email one day
apparently word got to the dean
(who was no longer our original dean.. but instead the dean over the nevada campus.. because well.. they pretty much made our dean leave in like december? anyways.. long long ago.. so now we got to deal with the pleasant dean of the henderson campus... and well.. she wasn't super pleasant, in my opinion.
I already had to deal with her when I had to make up a history/government class... I took the CLEP for government and got 2 points less than I needed to pass. boo!! so then I had to figure out another option and she was less than helpful. and told me I had to finish this class by March 1st. But there were 2 other girls in my class and they were able to have until April 20th or something to finish. So this didn't seem fair and I took it up with her and she didn't like that..and wasn't going to allow me the extra time. Although she finally went back to the handbook and found out that I should be allowed the extra time.. so I got it. phew.)
ANNNYYYWAAAYYSS...
She set things straight real quick..
the 144 hours was in fact required
although the last 3 or 4 cohorts that have graduated from South Jordan weren't required to do them..
and we were in the third week of our capstone with only 1.5 week left when all this happened
so.. all those people that weren't so lucky
and their nurses didn't have all the shifts they needed
now had to quickly figure out how to get in all the hours they needed
otherwise they wouldn't pass
and instead would have to remediate this time during the summer break in July..
Well.. that sucked for all my friends..
but didn't affect me because I luckily had all my shifts
but.. it got worse
the next email I got stated that that paper we wrote in place of the Care of the Older Adult test
was no longer acceptable
we would now be required to retake this test
because apparently someone complained that this wasn't fair
and that I was apparently being favored....
oh.. so we had to write a paper AND take the test?
Ok.. so then all of our classmates should be required to do that paper we had to do too then right?
if things are going to be fair?
ya.. no.. that wasn't the case
well.. so that sucked
but it was manageable
the next email I got was that I also had to make up the time I missed during leadership
you know.. the 2 weeks I missed because I had a brand new baby?
and an emergency c-section?
ABDOMINAL SURGERY?
ya.. the dean wasn't very sympathetic about this
neither was the person that emailed the dean "anonymously"
of course nothing remains anonymous..
it was only a mater of time before more information was revealed
and we narrowed down who this person was
that felt like I was so "favored"
More information came out about what was in the email
Someone told me that it talked about a number of different things
that I had been favored during clinicals
and didn't have to do all the hours
that I was favored by the professor that gave clinical assignments
that I got favored because I got to do a paper instead of take the assessment
that I was favored because I got to miss class
that I was favored becaus I got to go to Utah County Jail for a clinical rotation
... there it was...
that line sealed the deal.
I had a few people that I had considered it might be that would do something so hurtful and write this email about me
I truly couldn't come up with many out of our small class of 27
it seemed like it would have been someone who wasn't a parent yet
because surely a parent would understand why I would want to be at home with my new baby
and further.. it couldn't be a mother because the would have the understand how huge of a life change having a baby is.. and what it does to your body..
but..
there was only one person affected by me going to the jail
and that was a person that got told she could go there first
although it later came out that my name had actually been drawn before hers to go there
and the professor took it upon himself to draw another name
and not let me go.. because I was pregnant
when he realized that would create a large problem
he had to go back on that decision
and tell her she couldn't go to the jail
and tell me I could since my name was drawn first.
This person was also my very first friend in the program
we had our interview day the same day and clicked instantly
this person is also a mother...
although.. I guess it had been about 12 years since she had given birth
and maybe forgot what it was all about
otherwise.. I have to assume she would have been a little more understanding of my situation
rather than throwing me under the bus to the dean.
{for doing nothing wrong.. just doing what all my professors said was okay to do..
and ps.. in any other college experience.. they can't force you to come to school..
I remember that was something all my college professors would say..
if you want to come.. great.. if you don't come. that's your problem and you have to figure out what you missed and hope that you pass the tests.. ya.. apparently not the case at Roseman}
I was so hurt by this
I couldn't believe that someone would write an email about me
totally attacking me
and how "favored" I was
then to figure out that it was someone I had once considered a friend
really put salt on the wound
It wasn't fun
This email ended up affecting a number of people in the class
There were people that had to remediate the test with us because they also wrote a paper
and there was another girl who had to make up class time that she had missed
and a good majority of the class had to make up clinical hours
not to mention the tight reign that was placed on all the instructors
The most annoying part about it was that none of us students felt like we had done anything wrong..
We were told by faculty what to do..
and yet we still had to pay the price for things that we were previously told would be okay
I think she may not have seen how much damage she would cause when she wrote that email
I think she just intended to hurt only me in writing it
which really hurt even more to think about..
that she was trying to intentionally hurt just me
and.. this was just a few weeks before graduation
so she had to have thought that that would be a possibility
that by writing this email to the dean it would be a possibility that I wouldn't be able to graduate
and that hurt pretty bad too.
It all turned out okay though..
I was able to walk with my class
I made up the test.. and passed it.
I made up the time I missed.. seriously.. just had to make up time..
had to sit in an empty classroom and read articles and add up time
even though I already passed the test..
ugh.. so aggravating.
But.. as I said.. it worked out.
I did the time
and it's all over
I took the ATI test
and passed the first time.
She did not.
And truly.. I would have never wished for that to happen
I felt bad that she didn't pass
I felt bad for everyone... obviously.
You wouldn't wish that on anyone
But.. I am a big believer in karma
and I do think it came back to her a little bit.
Because I in fact wasn't ever favored
I took all the right paths and covered all my bases prior to having my baby
I stayed in touch with all my professors to make sure I was staying on track
They weren't doing me any favors because I was teachers pet or anything
they were just being understanding, sympathetic people
{like we are taught in class every day to do with our patients}
Yet, it somehow really bothered her enough
(and possibly a few other people in my class, as I understand it)
to write the dean and do something about it
I still can't figure out why it mattered to her
or why she felt it was her place to do something about it
but she did.
and it was such an awful end to the school year
it was never how I imagined my time at Roseman ending
I'm just so thankful it's over
Especially now that I'm writing it all down
that was a bad time
and I'm so thankful it's in the past
I just thought it might be something I would want to remember
So I wanted to write it all down
I feel like I truly worked my butt off the last 18 months
nursing school
planning a wedding
being pregnant
and exhausted from that.. and sick..
and still going to clinicals
and class
and studying
and remediating
and have a baby
12 hr clinical days 4 weeks post op
(c-sections are a 6 week healing time)
keeping up with pumping while at clinical
so my baby can have breast milk for longer than 3 weeks
making up class time
and studying with a baby by my side
for 8-10 hours a day for a month+ for the ATI/NCLEX
etc. etc. etc.
I was the busiest I've ever been in life
and it was rewarding
and amazing
and tiring
but it's OVER!!!
have I said that enough yet?!
It's all over..
and it feels so so great!
and I hope I never have that busy of a year again!
weird set up P.S.
after capstone..
we graduated
but got a blank piece of paper
then back to school for 2 weeks
for senior seminar (study help)
then we had to study for 4 weeks
then take the ATI July 28
once we passed that we officially passed
and got our diploma in the mail!!
then continue to study
and apply to the state
and to PearsonVue
and wait anxiously for your ATT
{authorization to test}
then you pick your test date..
and go take the NCLEX
then..
THEN..
You're really done
Oh..
except you have to search for jobs.
And that's not as easy down in the Provo area
as it seems to be for my fellow classmates up in the SLC area
so that's a bummer
But all in good time, I'm sure!!
I'm a nurse..
I have a bachelors degree.
I never have to study for a test again
and that's a great feeling!!
It's all over!
College is all over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now.. for one hundred pictures... really.
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| my very last day as a student nurse! Hooray! |
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| my cute sissy got me this cake... (and fav fry sauce from the break ) |
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| and cookies... for my graduation dinner :) |
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| me and my handsome hubby! |
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| Ahh.. look how tiny Luca was!! crazy! |
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| The fam! |
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| besties! |
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| Professor Hunt lighting my candle |
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| Jill pinning me |
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| nursing oath |
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| Class of 2014 |
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| I was pretty excited about our front row parking spot at graduation |
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| dinner with everyone at cheesecake factory after graduation! |
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| poor ry.. studying for his own pharm final at my graduation. hahah |
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| cute little gift from Keith and Jill |
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| cute little binders Gigi made for us for studying.. Senior Seminar |
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| oh ya know.. just hangin out solo makin up leadership hours. |
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| thumbs up! cus it's a party!!!! |
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| studying with a baby is tricky business |
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| had to take a break to lay with him! I felt like the worst mom to make him lay there all day while I studied :( |
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| This was my original plan to study It changed a few times after this and ended up with over 2,000 ATI practice questions. YUCK! |
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| At LaJolla where we had our class dinner with the money we had raised through the year! |
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| Keith and Jill helped me so much taking Luca for a few hours some days so I could get in some good consistent studying |
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| and lysh sent me snap chats |
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| really.. I never appreciated how nice studying without interruptions was. But having this cute face to look at was totally worth it! |
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| baby toes |
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| Passing score was 69.3.. which gave us a 90% chance of passing the NCLEX the first time I got 74% !!! 96% change of passing NCLEX on first attempt! Hooray!! |
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| April was on Luca duty while I took my ATI she was a brave gal and took on Costco! |
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| I don't know if I've ever been so happy and relieved!! This was a great moment All the studying paid off!!!! |
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| trying to climb on top of the sign.. but I was too chicken! |
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| blah.. paying money to take the test! |
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| AHH!! Got my ATT.. time to register!! Scary! |
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| These were the only dates available in Draper I got my ATT on the 8th.. and I just wanted to get the NCLEX over with but I was scared I selected the 11th and by the time I got to the end of checking out.. it was gone!!! soo fast! so.. I checked bountiful.. |
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| They had a few more dates.. but again, I just wanted to be done so I chose the 11th!! |
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| multitasking! |
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| just a few of the nice good luck texts I had waiting on my phone when I arrived at the testing center :) |
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| After taking the test.. you can do a tricky little thing and go in and try to re-register for the test if it sends you to the page to enter in your credit card info.. then you supposedly didn't pass But.. if you get this "good pop-up" then you passed!! and I got the good pop up! I couldn't fully accept it though until I logged on to the DOPL website 2 nights later and it popped up that I was a RN! |
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| Cutest baby!! In the cute onesie my friend Brittany from school got for him! :) |
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