How Time Flies

The last two weeks have gone by incredibly quickly!  It's funny to think back on when I received my acceptance letter.  I was counting down the days in my head and thought it would take forever to get here.  Coworkers would ask how many shifts left.  I would reply 36...21...15.  Once it was below 10, the time was gone faster than I could have thought.  Feels like it was just yesterday we started this whole process.

As a family, we made a commitment to take a mini vacation before school started.  We didn't want to spend much money so we spent a few days in Yankton, SD near the water.  We spent the time golfing and relaxing.  We then drove down to Omaha for a day around their Old Market.  This was time I felt we needed together since the hectic schedule of classes would keep our vacation time together to a minimum.  We had a great time!

My last shift was a 36 hour stint this past Monday and Tuesday.  Fairly busy with a bit of down time in between patients.  As it neared 7pm on Tuesday, reality really took hold of me.  I wouldn't return to where I was standing in the same capacity.  Yeah, I'll pick up a few casual shifts now and then but it won't be the same.  I've felt the nurses could always rely on me to help out with difficult IV starts and questions on meds or documentation.  This is gone.  Helping others, whether they are coworkers or patients, gives a person such a strong feeling of accomplishment.  It's so hard to describe but so enjoyable to experience.  I know these feelings will come back at some point during school.  Maybe they will be even stronger, but until then there is, without a doubt, an empty spot in my heart right now.  It plain sucks!

I hope those that I've worked with realize how much I miss them.  The friendships created have meant so much to me and I can't thank them enough for this.  I have been truly blessed by working with the most caring, compassionate, and skillful providers there are.  Thank you!  "wipes tears away"

So...this coming week will be the start.  School is ramping up slowly with orientation Wednesday through Friday.  Student services, setting up of computers, introductions, and other logistical stuff will be happening Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning.  Start times will be anywhere between 8 and 9 in the morning which isn't bad at all since I will be driving 50 miles to get there.  Friday afternoon has been set aside for the White Coat Ceremony and Reception.  This will entail the presentation of white coats to the students.  Families are present to enjoy this day.  I am so excited for this but at the same time very nervous.  This will be the last few days of freedom before things get hectic.  I AM READY!