January to May- Last semester of college. FINISHED! Graduated. Took and FAILED the NCLEX. To say this was a time of growing was more like an understatement. It took all of my confidence away from me knowing that I couldn't pass the test that was to "determine" my career. However, hindsight is 20/20 and looking back it was the best thing that could have happened. Yes it got rid of my confidence but that is what I needed. I am a new grad nurse who doesn't know half there is to know about anything. I have a basic foundation (4 years worth) that is to guide me in my practice with experience to make the best nurse I can be. So with that said I'm not supposed to have much confidence in my abilities. I needed that humility to put me in my place.
June- Vacation to the Dominican Republic which was exactly what I needed. It gave me time to reflect, relax, and replan. I had a GREAT time with my family and that week was simply just not enough. I could have stayed there another week for sure. I'm already ready for another vacation! June was my sit and wait month. I had to wait 45 days to retest so I basically went on vacation and spent every waking hour studying for my boards. I used a different book which was filled with strategies. Because when it came down to it... I knew my content like the back of my hand but I had no idea the strategy on how to pick the BEST answer when all 4 were mostly right!
July- the beginning was filled with LOTS of studying as my test was the 2nd week in July. I retook my NCLEX on July 12th and got the same amount of questions. I had what I thought was higher level thinking questions and a lot of medication and delegation/prioritization. I felt okay about it. I was looking forward to the 48 hour wait period until you could find out your results. ** For anyone who knows me if something bad is gonna happen it will happen to ME** So that 48 hour wait period turned into 6 days of waiting as my results were flagged and put on HOLD. Yes HOLD meaning I couldn't do the "trick" to find out if I passed.. NOTHING! So it was a waiting game. In the mean time my mom got really sick and I was staying with her pretty much all day and everyday after work. Finally on day 6 when I was fed up with waiting and was 2 seconds away from calling the Board of Nursing in SC (whom very rarely does their job in a timely fashion) I checked and 6 days later I found out I PASSED. Insert- I'm officially
J. Chinnis, RN
So moving on. I was supposed to have a job, for sure, since I've worked there for so many years as a tech. Long story short. The economy is causing us to have to down size and I was not guaranteed a job anymore. My boss pulled a few strings and was at least able to get me in part time in hopes that by the time i'm off orientation (in 3 months) there will be a full time position available. We will continue to pray for this because part time is just not gonna pay all of our bills! July was also my sweet hubby's birthday and unfortunately for him I was so spaced out and focused on my test I completely forgot about it and didn't get him a thing. Insert-HORRIBLE WIFE STAMP on my forehead! So what will August bring?
August- Hubby will start his final semester of college! I will start orientation for work. August will be a hard month for us trying to readjust to life on two different paces. However, the good news is he will only have 3 months of class and then he graduates with 2 majors and a minor! (So proud of you babe!) And on another note he has been looking for youth ministry positions EVERYWHERE and nothing has come up so not only am I going to need more hours he is going to need a job!
Just as the last 6 months have been crazy I assume the next 6 months will be as well!! Good thing we are getting good at crazy! I will post pictures of our Dominican trip soon!
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