The Next Steps

Thanks for all the congrats, well wishes, and words of support on my last post; it means the world and more to me and I continue to feel blessed by the amount of love and support I've found through blogging.

Some of you asked details about the program I am doing, so I thought I'd answer them here.

On July 1st, I have an all-day orientation where I'll get my books for my first three classes, my student ID, my nursing school ID, another tour, fitted for my uniform & lab coat, meet my fellow classmates, have a picnic, etc. etc. The first session of classes begins on July 5th, 2011 and I will graduate with my BSN (bachelor's of science in nursing) at the end of August 2012-- so it's a 14 month program.

Things to do before July 1st:

1. Pay $150 dollar deposit-- check!

2. Find a place to live that's close to campus & move in. The campus is over an hour away from my house and commuting at least 5 days a week just seems like a complete waste of valuable time. My clinicals can also be as far north as Fort Wayne (about 2 hours from my house) and as far south as Indy (in my backyard). It will be good to be centrally located to both cities, and if I have a clinical at Indy, I'll just stay at my parents' house the night before. I actually found an apartment on Cragislist and went and looked at it yesterday. It was absolutely perfect, but she wants to fill it, like, yesterday, and I'm not moving for a couple more months. I'm hopeful she isn't able to fill it, but, if she does, I'll have to find somewhere else. Along with this, I need to find a bed and mattress, but all the other furniture my parents' have collecting in their attic-- thank God!

3. Become CPR certified. I'm required to take the American Red Cross Professional Rescuer course. I just looked up when the class is offered and I'm a little miffed. May 21st is the only day it's offered and it's from 8-5 on a Saturday. Y'all, my birthday is May 20th. Can I go to CPR class hungover? (kidding... rar)

4. Get a full physical, including immunizations and TB test (which I've already done, since it's required for me to volunteer).

5. Complete a background check.

6. Get a drug screening.

7. Buy supplies. Things I already know I need include: a wristwatch with a second hand (I have a watch, but will be buying another one that can, uh, handle fluids); pocket-sized spiral notebook; bandage scissors (check! thanks mom & dad!); penlight; googles/shield (check!); stethoscope (I have one, but will be buying a better one); optional: blood pressure cuff and hemostat.

8. New shoes. They must be either all black or all white and non-canvas. I'll probably buy all black athletic shoes or crocs for lab and another pair of super comfy shoes for clinical.

For now, those are the most important things. I'm so excited and can't even believe, after two years, my dream is finally becoming a reality!