"Knowledge that will change your world." -UAB

   It's been some time since my last blog and much has changed. Life has been a roller coaster, so full of unexpected emotions: joy, sadness, contentment and hope. After returning to school in January I was care-free. I had accomplished a passing status from the hardest semester prior to my holiday break. I had pushed myself to the breaking point and I somehow survived exams, NOTHING could bring me down. My LAST semester of nursing school and college all together was going to be a breeze. Yes, I still had projects due and a couple of simple tests here and there, but nothing like the former semesters. This semester was a transitional period from student to professional nurse. I enjoyed the freedom it gave me and the stress-free environment I finally found myself within. I wasn't worried about clinicals or cramming for tests, it was truly all downhill from there! The days passed quickly and I was preparing for the big move home for my preceptorship at UAB! I had waited so long for this. I remembered at a much younger age that I had dreamed of working at such an institution that could offer so much for its patients; I couldn't get home soon enough. I packed for days; I truly had no idea of the amount of crap I possessed; it was definitely annoying having to shove things I had never used into garbage bags because I had run out of my travel bags!
        
         Finally, moving day had arrived and I was homeward bound! It was hard leaving my nursing family behind for the next couple of months, but I knew good things were to come! I was excited for this experience, yet so NERVOUS! I had no idea of what was ahead of me. My first week on my designated unit was difficult. From adjusting my sleep cycle for night shift to learning how to put all my knowledge into practice was definitely stressful. The weeks few by and I could see myself growing more confident! I loved working only three to four days a week and having loads of free time to see friends, finish schoolwork and SLEEP! I loved this new chapter in my life. During all of this, I had a job interview lined up! I had applied for an opening in UAB's ER. I thrived off of the thought of a fast-pace environment and I knew that was where I was suppose to be! My interview went well and I waited; I waited over a week and finally heard a response on April 1st! I GOT MY DREAM JOB! I was in amazement of how things were lining up! Preceptorship was finally coming to an end and I could honestly say I learned much more than I had expected. I truly believe the autonomous atmosphere of night-shift prepared me for the job I have now. 

My preceptor and I at UAB. 

         Moving back to Montgomery was not easy; I had loved being home, it just felt right, but I knew my last month at school would fly by. I presented my final projects, took my last tests and realized the light at the end of the tunnel was now reached. During the afternoons I had ample amounts of free time so I ran. I ran to reflect on what the last five years of college had molded me into. I thought of what my life would have been like if I had stayed at Bama and continued my Pre-Med route or if I had gotten into Auburn from the beginning. So many emotions filled me as I ran those countless evenings. I finally came to the realization that I was where I was suppose to be, that all the chapters opened and closed during college were for a reason and I might not ever know why I experienced them to begin with. I simply had one thing to look to and that was my future outside of Montgomery. 

My nursing family at our Pinning Ceremony the night before graduation!

         Graduation day had FINALLY arrived! Five long years later and I was walking across the stage an accomplished young woman with a promising career ahead of me. Some of the most important people in my life were present that day and I finally felt my life beginning. It was all surreal. I looked to my nursing family and I could only smile, we had finally made it. Through all the ups and downs, the endless emotions and struggles, we had finally proved ourselves to the world around us. I would say we were all in a state of euphoria at that day. I think of those loved ones who were unable to be present and I know they would have been proud; I believed I represented the family well and upheld the strong, independent nature of the women in my family. I remained in Montgomery that night to congregate with some of my classmates for one of our last hoorahs; it was bittersweet for sure. The following day had arrived too soon and my last move home was now here. I packed my remaining things, said some of the hardest goodbye's and headed North. I had finally closed another chapter in my life. I was sad, yet happy of what was to come. Life was changing quickly and I was simply along for the ride!

Tucker and I.

One of my biggest supporters! 

                          

My Montgomery family.
    


Pops and my bro!

       Now, almost two months post-graduation I am a licensed nurse at UAB currently going through my twelve week orientation in the ER. I studied for about two weeks straight for my boards exam which I thought I FAILED. I can honestly say now that I've NEVER taken such an examination in which I thought I knew nothing. NCLEX was insane. I was preparing myself to not see name on the Board's website. The next morning the Heaven's opened, I PASSED! All my five years of hard work had paid off. I laid in bed in slight shock, I couldn't believe it was all over. I celebrated with lunch and shopping for scrubs with a great friend. The following Monday I started orientation. Hello, real world!

From classmates to co-workers! 

              I take my work days day-by-day with patience and eagerness to learn. There is so much to know and I'm grateful for the helpful staff I work with. For my now active social life since before nursing school, I have spent many hours catching up with friends, making new ones and creating memories to happily look back on. I also have a new love in my life and I look forward to the many days ahead for the both of us!