my ducks are lined up...

Well, I passed my second test yesterday that I needed to pass for Hoag...surprisingly! Dang it was a hard Pharm test. You could miss 12 questions to pass, and I missed 11, *blush* close, wasn't I?? So, I have completed the tests, took my drug screen test, and other health tests yesterday. I'm assuming I've passed all. So, I do believe they're stuck with me. Now I have to find somewhere to get a flu shot, or I have to wear a mask when caring for my bloody patients! Egad. I'll get the H1N1 tomorrow, even though I swear, I had that flu! So I have a bunch of last minute errands to get done before I start work on Monday. It will be orientation classes all next week, and start my preceptoring the following week. I am excited, and also scared *%^%$*less. Ah well, me of little faith. I'm working on it.

That's it for now, other than my 18 y.o. getting her drivers licence. And still worrying when she drives off. Though I know she's being careful, she is also easily distracted. Such a strange year this is going to be. Me, working full time for the first time in a hundred years (though nursing school totally had the same or more hours!), my daughter graduating high school, and starting college, and my baby in high school. Yup, strange year.

always the sloooooow way through...

Okay, I definitely think I should start a Dear Abby kind of column for nurses/students like myself. I swear, I always have to go the loooooooooooooong, sloooooooooooooow way around to get anywhere I'm going. And yes, I am able to totally laugh at myself....when my stomach stops cramping with stress. I do believe God is wanting to get my attention, slow me down, and make sure I'm relying on Him, and not myself. So the first time I took the EKG test, I failed one of the critical arrhythmia's. Only one. BUT....that being said, you could fail if you didn't recognize ANY of the 7 critical rhythms. Well, they are called critical because...well...well, okay, they are deadly, and if your patient had one of these, well, they could be a minute away from death. So yeah, it is RATHER important. Now I do know how important this is, it's not just a theory in a class, these are actual patients I will be taking care of so I do agree with this policy. But these EKG's on the test are REAL EKG's not text book, so I missed it. I retook it yesterday, and passed it. WHEW! I still have one more test to take, Pharm, on Monday, then I am set.

I also got a call from the other hospital that I had an interview with, that I got a second interview for the ICU job I wanted. Only 4 people from 200 were chosen to have this second interview, and 2 will get it. Yeah, the odds were pretty good. Huh. Eight months without job offers, and now, two at one time. Of course this has totally stressed me out because I have wanted an ICU job, and it's an excellent new grad program. However, I am choosing the first hospital because I LOVE the nurses there, and I LOVE patients with neuro issues, especially older folks, and I think that I will learn sooo much from these women. (there may be some guy nurses there too, but I haven't met any yet) I cannot wait to start back in patient care, I miss them! This unit is a small one, and I totally love that. What a great way to start a new career, I can't wait.

And it only took.....EIGHT bloody months! heeheee.

I have totally loved all of this torrential down pour in S CA here. The only problem is that I've had a head cold from hell, and haven't gotten to the gym in a week, and my back is sooo achy from all the inactivity. I am gonna try to go today, sick or not.

Have a lovely weekend, I hope things are blue skies and sunshine on this Saturday for you.

Thanks...

for all of your encouragement. Did you see the comment left by Stacye on the last blog? She was the one who is responsible for getting me hired! That was the nicest comment, I actually teared up. And thanks everyone for all of your support. I still have to pass two tests before I can work. I wonder what would happen if I failed it twice? Would they toss me back out into the cold hard world of unemployment??? I don't know, so I've been studying EKG's until my eyes are crossed, and I'm getting it, actually getting it! I will take the EKG test tomorrow, and then a Pharm test (that's the one that's really got me sweating!) on Friday or Monday and a health exam by a nurse. Feb. 1st I will start orientation as long as I pass those 2 tests. So I am excited, and still quite nervous until I get those tests over with.

In other news, I have a nasty, horrible, terrible, no good, very bad head cold. Yes, I am whining! And my dear daughter is taking her driving test tomorrow. She is very nervous, but I think she'll do okay. I wonder if they'll test her on the 3pt turn. We forgot to teach her that one. She's 18 so she won't have to go through the graduated (?) drivers licence. We put it off as long as we could folks. I think it was a good move, and she has never been in a big rush to get it anyway. My boy continues to grow like a weed, and is putting food away like there's no tomorrow.

How are you, fill me in!

I GOT A JOB!!!

WHOOO HOOOO!!! YAY! After just a very short 6 months, I got a call for a job offer today, and I am so derned happy I could spit!!! Not for the job I interviewed for yesterday, but the one I interviewed for a few weeks ago. The one that looked sooo promising, but didn't get. Well happily they got another opening and thought of me! These are the two women that interviewed me, where I had just too much fun. That is HIGHLY unusual for an interview, and I will need to be careful not to be toooo relaxed with them. I will be working at Hoag Hospital in the Stroke Unit. I will be starting Feb. 1st. I am a little nervous though since I have to take an EKG/Pharm test before I'm official in that department. I will sign some forms tomorrow. I am sooo happy.

P.S. I had a lovely bday, when we weren't battling our now 18 yr old. She went off and got a tattoo, KNOWING how we felt, and the consequences that would follow! So sad. That's all I can say. Parenting teens....not for the weak hearted.

Welcome 2010...plus a new P.S.

..and just let me say, it is so much easier saying twenty-ten, than two thousand and nine. Don't cha think? I never could get into the "ots", could you?

Well last you heard from me, I was crying in my non-existent beer. So what's happening these days? Of course the job hunt continues. In the mean time, I will be starting a new Home Health assignment that I am thankful for, with a little 16 mo old child with a genetic disorder. He is a beautiful baby, and I look forward to it. I have also applied to another "new-grad" nursing job. On the recording he said that if we didn't get a call it was because he was expecting around 1000 calls for these jobs. Geez, worst than cheerleading try outs in high school! But of course I applied, I like the challenge! heeeheee.

Our Christmas was a relaxed holiday for us. We stayed home and had a great day. The kids and hubby's vacay has ended, and they've gone back to school today. ahhhhh... :)

Here's a little painting I tried. It didn't scan very well though. The writing was much less noticeable in the painting. I liked how it turned out.

Went and visited my mom a few times. It kills me each time. She is so lost, and often crying out with some kind of phantom pain that we can't locate or help her with. It is so sad. Lord, hear my prayer. All your prayers are so appreciated.

My birthday is Saturday, yay. And my daughters is as well, of course. She will be turning 18! I cannot believe it. I am in total denial! And of course...those of you who have older teens...she believes on and after that "magical" day, that there are no longer any rules for her, she can do anything her little heart desires. We have been attempting to disabuse her of these lofty ideas, so she doesn't come home with frightening tattoo's and piercings, and a biker man named "Sweetums". I do believe we have some new battles coming our way. Although...honestly she's a good girl and really is seeking God daily. (but she is still battling us for the above...)

My boy is doing well, though some of his grades have dipped because of his skipping homework that doesn't interest him (poor thing), and not studying for exams ("they're easy, I don't need to!") so we are trying to "motivate" him by removing computers, etc.

That's it for now. My watercolors class ended before Christmas, and I've signed up for drawing, since I really feel like I was missing a good understanding of seeing/drawing depth, perception etc. But it doesn't start until February, so I'll work on my watercolors in the meantime. It is still ever so fun.

Have a great wintery day.

P.S. THIS JUST IN....I got a call today.... I just found out I got an interview for that new grad position, Whoooo Hoooo! Pray for me, it's on the 12th!