Prepping for school...

Tuesday is my first official day of nursing class.  I've tried to prepare myself as best as I can - I have my books ready and I've attended meetings and orientations.  But you are never really ready, ya know?  I've looked through my books to get an idea of what I'm in for, and it sure seems overwhelming already.  That's a lot of reading, referencing, and researching!!!

One of the things I am glad I did, was make a list of reasons why I chose to become a nurse and a list of things I need to do to accomplish it.  It's something I'm going to hang on to and look back at during those "Why did I ever decide to do this, I am never going to make it!" moments. 
I hadn't plan on doing the Certified Nurse Assistant program, but with the way my classes lined up I had the opportunity to do it.  I am SO glad I did it!  It has allowed me to work side by side with nurses doing what I plan to do in a matter of months.  I definitely feel more prepared having done this and worked on an extremely busy Medical/Surgical unit of the hospital.  I've seen some amazing, touching, disgusting, stressful, scary, stupid, strange, and funny things...you really wouldn't believe it unless you've been there.  I've seen the hard work and determination that goes into all aspects of nursing.  There have been excellent examples of what to do and, unfortunately, perfect examples of what NOT to do.  I love being able to get the hands on experience, although a little nerve racking at first.  Slowly but surely I have gained confidence and I'm one step ahead of where I would have been.  I am incredibly grateful to the nurses who have gone out of their way to explain and show things to me - and love being able to assist them with caring for the patients.  That being said, those lazy nurses who think they are too good to do certain aspects of patient care disgust me.  Don't get into this field if you aren't willing to work hard, help patients and coworkers alike, and get your hands a little dirty (with gloves, of course!).  You don't belong anywhere near health care if you aren't caring, understanding and compassionate!!
The last thing I want to talk about is my grandmother who was a nurse.  I don't really know why or how she got into nursing, but she was a lifelong nurse and loved it.  She was a wonderful person - so I'm sure she was an unbelievably amazing nurse.  She is probably the warmest and kindest soul I have ever known.  She will always be an inspiration to me, through school and my career.  I know she will be watching over me and guiding me from heaven.  My grandfather was a truly gifted and kind person as well.  His military background and plain old hard work never hardened him.  He was always a gentleman.  So, when I spotted this Betty Boop nurse tag in the bookstore while getting my supplies, I just knew they were both with me.  Words cannot express my love for this...

As we say in our unit at work - "It is what it is...but it will become what you make of it".  I'm going to make the best of it, that's for sure!